New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-06-10
MIR. BLAINE UNDER FIRE.
Anvycp To THE MARKsMEN.

DOUBTLESS OPEN To ATTACK.
TO the Edftsr OF The irfbune.
SIR: A strange apathy seems to have settled upon
the opponents of eX-Speakcr Blaine. 1t 10 scarcely
more than fortnight from the nominating Conven-
ton and for a long while the charges against him Of
theft bribery, and other crimes have not averaged
more than one a week. A great deal sen OF this
effort has been wasted in fooling around among
records checks, and other legal documents Which
could not stand FIRE eliminating evidence for an
instant-bonds which turned out to be maps names
which had christened other babies. witnesses who
were brought a thousand miles to testify under oath
that they knew nothing about the case i'll hand
Such paper as The Springfield Republican, with the
best will in the world, has confined itself TO draw
ing gontlo parallels between Ar. Blaine and the Rev.
Mr.. Winslow, the forger Just as if Pper and POmo-
roy were not really to its hand and far more avail
able in pointing the Blaine moral. Even The Nec-
York Sun, whom long criminal experience should
have taught wisdom, has Jagged sadly behind the
occasion and piped but languid note of public
accusation, which prematurely drowned III the
cheerful ringing refutatiOn from the ex-Spcakers
lusty lungs. 1t Is only within day or two that any
"reaizng sense" of the situation has been dlscov-
ered and Mr.. Aquila Adams has signalized bis en-
trance into public life and his right 10 his dis
tnguished name by publishing, with notes and COM
ments Mir Blsines private correspondence.
This is broad and fruitful field, and the noble
Auuila should cultivate it well. housing around
among public papers has been notifying failure,
because there was something equally public TO an
initiate every mares nest so found. The people
actually seem rather TO have sympathzed with the
alleged criminal and their steady, provoking re-
sponso to each fresh accusation was delegation
"sOd for Blaine" But if they can creep out Of this
"ferce light shat beats upon matters of public
record and gnaw in secret at old letter-les, some
.yDfo .atat InryF
nately Mr. Blaine himself furnishes remarkable OPP
portunites in this direction. He to have been
man of ceaseless activities and it will go hard but
he can be trlpped in of them. He vas strongly
advised to be quiet during the present session OF
Congress, and not provoke hoStitieS which might
be fatal to his possible candidacy and the first the
people knew he was letting drive at the stirring
serpents head of the rebellion, he was launching out
his pertinaciOus convictions about She currency. he
was saying his say every question OF national III
terest and honor with just as much force and free
dom as if the National Convention were. like tho
Prodigal Son, great way off--rather as ii no Ma
tional Convention were impending. All the grand
sentiments uttered sundry quarters by clergy and
laity that the Office should seek the man and not the
man the office that the people wanted for President
mau who was great-souled as to hold the PreSl-
dcncy in contempt-all these apparently seemed to
him but the whiting of the jabberwok, IN Difference
to which he never so much-and it would have been
so easy-never so much as ayowed himself content
with doing his tumble duty never proclaimed to Az
admiring world his shrinking modesty, never
"vowing he would neer consent, consented
but on the contrary has frankly and gladly admitted
his candidacy, and has never denied that the Presl-
dency of the American Republic is position exalted
enough to be worthy of the most honorable ambi-
ton Nor during the TecesSes of Congress docs Mr..
Blaine appear to have stayed quietly at home suck
ing his thumbs as public man should. Oh the con-
trary. no sooner is Congress adjourned than he Is
seen prospecting around among tho coa-ieldh OF
Pennsylvania, and the railroads of Arkansas, ana
the silver mines of Colorado and the copper MINES
of Lake Superior, and doubtless, If the train were
known among the pine tracts of Moosehead ana the
ice-houses of the Kcnncbec-mapping and measuring
everywhere collecting and c0llating facts, ac-
ouaintng himself with the resources OF the country,
taking counsel with business men. sometimes IN
veSting. sometimes gaining, sometimes losing nut
always interested in the material development of
the country, and always freely giving advice ana
assistance 10 whomsoeyer should ask 1t. Nothing
could be more reprehensible in a public man, or
law him moro sopen to attack. What right has
he to be conct ming himself with the affairs
of the counryi Is there no corner grocery
In Augusta Me-, from whose safe counter he
may dangle his heels withal' What right has Con-
gresham to be living near neiglb0r to the wee
President of the Northern Pacific Railroad ana to he
consulted about his business Did Washington or
Jefferson, or Hamilton live next door to vice
president of a Taroadf Aud hat right has Con-
gresham TO the confidence OF his neghbOr, or to the
regard of business meni The people want to be
represented by man whose repertory is empty OF
facts, whose opinions have no authority with m'
community whose Judgment has no weight in bust
ness circles and who is therefore, never called upon
to "lend hand" IL he cannot quite fill the BILL he
can at least, refrain from helping Others with his
advice cooperation. The motto OF patriotic
public should be:
IT'S myself quoth he, Unjust mind most;
SO the devil may take the hlndmost!
Mr.. Aquila Adams has showed himself capable OF
great things, but only capable He has not yet
achieved great things His work is but half done
and that half blunderingly In the manyprivato
ktters which Mr.. Blaine must have written, there
must be some which do not carry their face anun
intended and indubitable proof Of his integrity.
There must be some that might be warped into
solnethng-Heaven knows what-Iam not practced
in that line and gladly defer to Mr. Aquia Adams's
superior ingenuity He starts ont the secrecy
trail which promising one if he would follow it
forciby whereas he fOllOwsit but feebly. He should
Insist that man who does not tell everything 20
everybody is a scOundrel He should maintain that
the only honorable way to write business letters is
on postal cards; that the very act of sealing letter
shows that there is something to be concealed and
therefore something thievsh. He shonld donource
cycry business transaction that is not done III every
part and parcel the street corners, with drums
beating aud colors flying and he should pursue with
severe ana iglteous retributioA every man who in
any matter over suggests that it may be "just as
well not t. mention things"