The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-21
The Elements Of Brother Blaine's
Strength.

We do not believe that Mr. BLAINE Will
he nominated at Cincinnati; and yet his
campaign in pursuit OF that empty honor
has boon conducted with extraordinary
energy, talent, and pecuniary outlay. He
has had agents all over the country re-
porting to him and maneuvring under MS
orders. He has kept au elegant establish
ment In Washington, entertaining with
splendid munincence. His political din
per parties since Congress met In Decem-
Der cannot have cost him less than $500
week; and the whole thing has been en-
gineered with the one intense. steady,
unvarying purpose Of getting votes In the
Republican National Convention. This
purpose, as now seems plain, Is doomed TO
final disappointment. II was rather i'm
pertinent from the start; for Mr.. BLAINE
is not the right kind of man to be Fresi-
dent, and IL he had been the right kind OF
q man, he would never had set on foot
such a canvass or carried 1t on under his
own personal expense and management
Nevertheless, Brother BLAINE is not with
out important elements Of political
strength and IL is worth while to consider
whit they are.
In UTSt plutt, ut IL " liitu VI rupViiOt
ability. His mind is quick, clean-cut,
comprehensive, vigorous, and combative.
He is capable OF learning, and he ondeav-
ors to learn. None of our public men is
more Industrious; none is more popular.
There Ia no assumption about BLAINE. He
puts on no airs, but is a democrat socially,
and meets every man OH footing of agree
able equality. His range OF information
Is extensive. He has talent for converse
ton, Is lively, almost witty, always enter
tanning, and often instructive. Thus II
happens that Mr.. BLAINE has become a
very popular man.
The qualities which succeed with indi-
viduals, also go n great way in dealing with
masses aud parties. BLAINE is IA first-ratc
manager. He understands the passions,
the prejudices, the fanaticisms Of peo-
pie, and he thinks he can play upon them
as an artist plays upon an instrument. In
truth, his skill in this direction is consider
able, and II he could add to It the power
which grows from real convictions, and
from earnestness and dignity he would be
a formidable IL not great character. His
faculty for political strutagem and man
ngement was conspicuously displayed in
Congress in his conflict with Mr.. HILL of
Georgia ut the beginning of the present
session. He badgered HILL worked him
up into frantic excitement, and made him
say things, and give BLAINE an oppor-
tunty to say other things which seemed
20 BLAINE certain to prove OF great ulti-
mate advantage to himself. Thus he put
himself forward anew rs one Of the very
stanchest representatives Of the old Re
publican war feeling and anti-slavery feel
ing. In this respect, nobody can compete
with him, except Senator MORTON; but
MORTON has rather worn the thing out and
made himself tedious by using it all the
time, while BLAINE has exhibited great
judgment in doing just enough, and not
too much. His position as representa-
tive and organ Of these still unassuaged
passions is one OF the chief factors OF Mr.
BLAISE's present strength as an aspirant
for the Republican nomination.
Another element, and the most impor
tant OF all, though not the one most pa
raded in public view, is BLAISEs relation
to the anti-Catholio movement. In thi.
he is without competitor since GRANT
has been crowded of the course. No Other
candidate has appealed to this passion "a
Mr.. BLAINE has done; and II, contrary tC
probability, he should finally be nom
mated, II will be the work of this deeI
anti-Catholic feeling. The force OF thu
sentiment is not gen orally understood, bu
IL 10 n mighty force and II operates will
secrecy. II will not be anmhilatet
even II Mr.. BLAINE is defeated; but If h
should be made the candidate OF the Re
publican party, the men of the anti-Cath
Ollie movement will justly feel that the.
have gained an immense advantage.
II any rival statesman, or any mnnipu
lator OF conventions supposes that JANE
G. BLAINE is a candidate TO be regarded
with contempt. he is much mistaken.