The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-15
Tn. R.publ,e.- Convention.


believe in him right or wrong and the news
paper correspondents, who seem to have
formed another " enthusiasm syndicate, like
those with which Mr.. Colfax was wont to cleo
trify the country. There is no doubt that Mr..
Blaine is the strongest name before the Con-
vention. We think it quite certain that if
his record were stainless and unassailable
he would be the nominee of the Convention.
1t is quite possible. and nothing is more
probable, that the discipline which his
friends thus far have maintained may whirl
him through the Convention on an early
ballot The enthusiasm" business is a
common expedient in political manage
ment; for if there is anything politician
likes it is to be with a majority.
The friends of Blaine, by dint of gong
beating and caressing correspondents and
| throwing out insinuations about the other
candidates, have created the impression that
his cause is the winning one At the same
time the Republican Convention has on its
| roll men of calmness and conviction, who
see in the mission Of that party great duty
and opportunity, and who will not be apt to
throw away their almost assured chance of
carrying the country at the next election to
crafty any personal ambition.
The republican party has, Of course, the
right to name its leader without any regard
to tho Independent press or tho wishes
Of the country. The nomination of
candidate is ono thing, the cleo
ton another. When it comes to the
election the press and the country will be
heard. We are thinking Of this tribunal
when we say to the Convention that the
nomination of Mr.. Blaine gives the country
to the democratic party next election.
Nothing is clearef. Mr.. Blaine cam
not carry New York. and there is no
Mr.. Conkling who can. He may be as pure
as Lincoln or Washington, but his record
throws him on the defensive. Mr.. Blaine
cannot carry Pennsylvania. The clan
Mcpherson may beat the clan Cameron in
caucus, but when it comes to the people
of that peculiar and steadfast State
success or defeat to the republican
cause will depend wholly upon the
apathy or activity of the Camerons
The democratic party has shown capacity
for laundering which it is hard to surpass
but it can make no such blunder at st.
Louis as the nomination of Mr. Blaine will
prove at Cincinnati. Here is a man who is
under the peril of expulsion from the
House of Representatives for tampering
with witness and suppressing testimony
called for by the House. Here is candi-
date who, by his own confession, written
and read in the House, made decisions as
Speaker in the interest Of railway jobbers,
and demanded consideration for them. On
these two points alone we are willing to rest
the case against Mr.. Blaine. The country
will remember that we do not make
these charges, nor are they made
by "rebel' House. They IRE in
the writing Of James G. Blaine con-
frmed by himself on the floor of the
House. Can any party that is not swayed
by madness, that is not possessed by the
very devils of destruction. even as the swine
that rushed into the sea, think of accepting
candidate thus burdened to run in
canvass which will require every ad-
vantage of name, character and expe-
rience? Is the republican party SO
barren of statesmen with stainless and hon
ored names that it must take Mr.. Blaine?
1t is Incredible and if it should prove true,
then upon the Convention which assembled
yesterday be the responsibility of having
thrown away as fair campaign as ever
opened
If there were no personal reasons why Mr..
Blaine should not be nominated there are
political reasons. The best that can be said
of him is that he is a young man of average
ability. a ready, free speaker, with an acute
and vigorous intellect; apt in Selling an
opportunity, familiar with every re-
source and expedient of legislation of
an amiable and winning address, easy of
approach and popular with the young men
of the country. But what else can be said?
What has Mr. Blaine ever done to entitle
him to consideration as a candidate for the
Presidency? On what question has he
ever made record that should COM
mend him to convention seeking for the
leader of the campaign? Senator Morton is
far above Mr.. Blaine in executive capacity.
Indeed, in this respect Senator Morton is
one of the really great men Of the genera
ton, man who will be remembered with
Stanton and Lincoln for his valor and
patriotism in time when these qualities
were sorely needed. Mr.. Fish is more of
statesman because, to the honor of Mr..
Fish, it must be remembered that he car
ried to a successful end and to the entire
honor Of the country one of the most difficult
negotiations ever imposed upon Secretary
of State. Mr.. Conkling is better leader in
partisan debate, as he has shown on
twenty occasions in the Senate. Mr.. Evarts
is a finer lawyer and jurist, as his whole
life proves. Mr.. Washburne is Drawer
representative Of the people, as he