Daily Kennebec Journal

Daily
Augusta, Monday Morning, June 23.

FOR PRESIDENT.
JAMES G. BLAINE
OF MAINE,
FOR VICE PRESIDENT.
JOHN A. LOGAN,
OF ILLINOIS.
For Governor,
FREDERICK ROBIE.

Harper's Weekly said crueler things of Abraham Lincoln than it has of James G. Blaine.

Our independent friends ought to take notice that Gov. Cleveland's friends in New York have resurrected the unit rule, that most hated instrument of machine men. This is one of the first fruits of the movement in favor of the New York Governor as a reform candidate. It looks ominous.

The opposition to Mr. Blaine have tacked ship on the Catholic question. They are now accusing him of being the author of a circular said to have been distributed in Aroostook a few years ago, assailing Mr. Madigan, who was the democratic candidate for Congress, on the ground that he was a Catholic. The latest accusation against Mr. Blaine is no more true than the first. The facility with which his opponents change their position on the Catholic issue beats anything else known in political maneuvering.

Why the Independents Oppose Blaine.

Early in the past spring, Mr. J. A. Kitzmiller of Gettysburg, Penn., wrote to Mr. George William Curtis in regard to the political situation in New York, and received the following answer, which has just been made public through the Penny Press of Cleveland, Ohio:

Gettysburg, Penn., June 10, 1884.

Henry A. Griflo, Penny Press:

I do not regard the letter of Mr. Curtis to me as strictly private. On the 3d of March last I wrote Curtis, inquiring as to the political situation in New York. He answered as follows: "The independents of New York hold the balance of power, and no man more obnoxious to them than Mr. Blaine could be nominated for the presidency. The principal reason for this is the strong following he has in Pennsylvania. The independents are anti-protection, and whoever we elect must be for revenue reform. Neither Blaine, Arthur nor Logan can carry New York"

(Signed)
J. A. Kitzmiller.

No doubt Mr. Curtis tells the exact truth. An examination of the names of those who are leading the independent movement in New York and Boston shows that nearly every man of any prominence who is engaged in it is a pronounced free trader. The workingmen and manufacturers of the country have doubtless noted this fact, and now that Mr. Curtis frankly discloses the secret of the independent opposition to Mr. Blaine they will not be slow to rally around the republican standard.

The Formal Notification.

The formal notification of Mr. Blaine, on Saturday morning last, of his nomination as the candidate of the republican party for President of the United States, was an impressive event. There stood around him the representatives of every State and Territory in this broad country, assembled in pursuance to the mandate of the national convention, while the chairman of the committee announced the action of that convention.

The remarks of Mr. Henderson were exceedingly happy. They fitted and adorned the occasion. No better epitome of the character and action of the convention and its platform can be presented. In a few words the whole story was told, with the skill of a master of language and the understanding of a man of large experience in public affairs. The reference to the dissatisfaction which has attended upon the result of every national republican convention was well spoken. We are prone to forget such facts and need to be reminded of them at times like the present.

The response of Mr. Blaine was dignified and worthy of his reputation. It expressed all that the occasion allowed in a most felicitous manner. His cordial endorsement of the platform leaves no chance for a doubt as to his position in that matter. After this every republican ought to be willing to wait patiently for the coming letter of acceptance in which Mr. Blaine will declare more fully his sentiments.