The Portland daily press., 1876-05-25
The SacO COnyeutiOn-ItS Duty.


To-day the Republican Convention to Sc
lect two delegates to represent the First Dis
trict in the National Convention meets at
Saco. 1t is fair 10 presume that every dele
gate will be in favor of selecting such gentle
men to Cincinnati as will heartily and earn
estly support the Hon. JAMES G.. BLAINE
Tor the first place on the national ticket. To
do otherwise will be to misrepresent the
wishes OF an overwhelming majority of the
Republican voters of the District. 1t is not
only necessary that the delegates should be
friendly to Mr.. Blaine, but they should be
men of influence abroad as well as at home,
and men who support him earnestly because
OF the conviction that his candidacy will be
an honor to the State, and that his election
to the Presidency will ensure the country an
administration conspicuous for its broad and
intelligent craftsmanship, its sagacity and pa
triotism. The Cincinnati Convention will be
one of the most notable which has ever been
called in this country. 1t will be full of cam
est and aggressive men. Those who repre-.
sent the State which furnishes the leading
competitor for the candidacy should be men
OF high character who are intensely in earn
est. The Convention should not be satisfied
with selecting men who will go to Cincinnati
and simply vote with a unanimous delegation
for Mr.. Blaine. We repeat it, the Conven-
tion should be careful to select men who will
make their influence and presence power
which will be felt.
Ever since Mr.. Blaine's name has been
mentioned in connection with the Republican
candidacy for the Presidency, the PRESS has
warmly advocated his nomination. 1t has
pursued that course not on account of per-
sonal regard for him alone, but because of the
hrm conviction that among the many able
men in the Republican party none are better
htted for the discharge of the duties and re-
sponsibilities of that high office. 1t is too late
day to assert that Mr.. Blaine is not a man
OF commanding ability and wonderful apti-
tude for public affairs. The ordinary man,
with no powerful friends to aid, does not
achieve national reputation in thirteen
years. The ordinary man does not rise from
obscurity in less than score of years to be
recognized as one of the most conspicuous, if
hot the most conspicuous, leader in the great
political party which has shaped the policy of
the country during several administrations.
1t would be equally absurd to attribute Mr..
Blaine's present high position to luck or ac-
cldent simply, because luck does not attend
one man through consecutive years and acci-
dents do not uniformly favor a man.
Whatever position Mr.. Blaine has been
called to fill he has displayed the same marked
ability. One of the youngest members of the
National House, he soon became one of its
most conspicuous ones; and when forty years
of age he discharged the delicate and arduous
duties OF Speaker of that body with such rare
ability and fidelity as to challenge the respect
and admiration of both parties in the House
and to be recognized as one of the ablest of
the many able presiding officers who haye
presided over the National House. On the
floor of the House in the present Congress he
has been acknowledged as the party leader.
AS such he has been recognized by the hostile
Springfield Republican as the "great Ameri-
can commoner." To-day, when he speaks
the country listens. His recent financial
speech has been more widely published and
read than that of any other man in Congress.
His unmasking of the position of the ex-
Confederate leaders showing that they hold
to the same heresies which led them to plunge
the nation into civil war affords the country
further proof of his sagacity and nerve.
Whatever he has undertaken to do he has
not only done well and thoroughly but con-
spicuously so.
Mr.. Blaine is now in the prime of life, in
robust health, free from the taint of any
personal vice. He is one of tie best informed
men in the country respecting the affairs of
the government. He is, moreover, man of
the people and like Mr.. Lincoln has faith in
that leadership which receives its direction
and inspiration from the intelligent masses.
No man in public life is better judge of
men. No man named in connection with
nomination has a higher appreciation OF
what the country demands of an administra-
ton. Able in council, fertile in resource,
ready of comprehension, familiar with details,
his patriotism and his purpose to merit the
confidence and esteem of the nation, will
inspire him 20 give the country an admins
tration, judicious, wise and brilliant.
Few men have been assaied so persistent
ly as ma,iciously as has Mr.. Blaine. Malice
and jealousy have alike inspired the reckless
slandeler to do their utmost to blacken his
name and tarnish his fame. All fair men
now frankly admit that the defamer has
failed. He comes forth without blemish.
His hands are clear and his public record in
this respect spotless. Mistakes he frankly
admits he has made, but his vote end in
huence have never been in the market.
Indeed, the slanderer has strengthened Mr..
Blaine. Republicans who a few months
since were led TO doubt DR.. Blaine's charac-
ter because of the torrent of slander, are now
his warmest and most steadfast friends.
Thus his misguided and malignant foes have
unWlttngly made themselves the most potent
instruments 20 intrench him in the public
confidence and esteem.
Everything now points to the nomination
OF Mr.. Blaine. Let the Convention of the
First District speak to-day in words which
will admit of no double me aning. and select
delegates who will make tb cir influence felt
at Cincinnati