New-York tribune., 1876-06-15
MR.. BI1INE,

The steadfastness of MIR. BlalneS supporters
at Cincinnati is the theme of general remark.
Unlike the partisans of Conkling, BristOw,
Morton, and the rest, they listen to no pro-
pOsals of bargain or compromise, and consider
no second choice. They do not admit the pos
sibility of their favorite's failure. They are
unshaken by rumOrs about his health, or crlti-
cisms upon his record. Their faith IN HIM
amounts to an enthusiasm. 1t is easy enough
to manufacture demonstrations with the aid OF
banners, bands of music, and workers chosen
for their strong lungs and excitable tempera-
ments; but every shrewd observer can see
that there is a genuine feeling in the devotion
to Mr.. Blaine which has deeper significance
than the steadfastneSs OF mere calculating
politicians. Nor is 1t only observable at Cin-
cinnati. The events of the past week have
developed the popularity of Mr.. Blaine in
most surprising manner all over the country.
The causes of this growth of Blaine senti-
ment are not far to seek. There is the natural
reaction provoked by violent personal attacks;
there is the sympathy called forth by Mr..
Blainc's illness, a sympathy intensified per-
haps by the idea that the illness could be
traced to the Mulligan affair; and there are
two other and still stronger influences, to one
of which we have already called attention.
The American people admire a good fighter.
A week ago we predicted that the superb COM
bativeness of the ex-Speaker, displayed early
in the session during the conflicts with Dir.
Hill, and illustrated again in such an
amazing manner when he captured his letters
from Mulligan, and routed the Investigating
Committee and almost the whole House OF
Representatives, would win for him thousands
of admirers. To the average voter the mean
ing of the Fisher letters is somewhat obscure
and we may as well admit that the average
voter is not going to take the time and
trouble to study them for himself. But the
brilliancy of Mr.. Blaine's Offensive-dcfense was
something that anybody could appreciate, and
that almost everybody was certain to like, and
it has made so strong an impression that for
the present the question which lies behind 1t
is forgotten.
In the next place Mr. Blaine has shown great
capacity as popular leader. No one else who
has been urged for the nomination has that
quality. Mr.. Conkling could command i'll the
most favorable circumstances, nothing more
than the help of the machine. hlr. Brlstow the
people do not know, and they look upon him
only as a possible experiment. Mr. Morton has
| no warm friends except in some of the South
ern negro factions. Mr.. Hayes is a stranger
outside of bis own State. But Mr.. Blaine has
| demonstrated his power to lead the masses,
and in the face of great difficulties to collect
and animate formidable personal following.
We suspect that leader is what the masses
of the Republican party are now wishing for.
They have tried to do without one for
good WHILE and the experiment has
not resulted to their satisfaction The
party has driftcd into false positions, and
though there have been good people enough
to point out and lament its errors, there has
been no one with the force of character and
adrotness in managing men to bring 1t back
into the right way. Ever since the death of
Mr.. Lincoln the party has been like ship
without a helmsman, tossing on an uneasy
sea. That Mr. Blaine is really the ideal leader
needed for our time we are by no means ready
to assert, but that great multitude of honest
Republicans believe he is, since his recent
parliamentary battles. there can hardly be a
doubt.