The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-12-27
A statement THAT win Attract Attention

A statement That Will Attract Attention
WASHINGTON, December "a.
Special 10 the Cincinnati Gazette.
The attitude assumed by Republican
Senators in regard to the Blaine resolution
must be puzzle to many. Refraining en-
tirely, as they did, from helping Mr.. Blaine
in the debate, and refusing, almost to a
man, to serve on his committee, certainly
placed them in position which needs ex.
PLANTATION.
The situation, however, is one easily un.
derstood, and readily appreciated by all
fwho have watched the under surface Of
Mr.. Blaine's political career.
The Republican Senators had come to-
gether with general feeling that the
Southern election outrages should form a
subject OF prompt and earnest consultation
with view Of placing the subject before
the country in such light as to unite Re.
publicans, and besides TO give the legal
and constitutional bearings Of the subject
such consideration both in committee and
in debate as the grave importance Of the
situation demanded. Mr., Blaine, being
fully aware OF the sentiment among his
associates; and Of the intention to give the
subject earnest caucus deliberation and to
avoid precipitate action, undertook to
seize control Of affairs and turn the South
ern, question to his own individual benefit.
II was the war whoop with which he sig
nalized the opening OF his campaign for
1880. ..la
1t was because this was fully understood
by his associates that they turned on him
with i'll concealed disgust and contempt,
as he seemed in desire to rally the North
against the new features OF Southern null
LITIGATION. To make the matter worse,
there was privately little attempt made
among Mr.. Blaine's following to conceal
the fact that this was his first move on the
Presidency. They openly stated that the
man who could capture the Southern del
egates to the next. national convention,
and, at the same time, carry moderate
proportion OF delegates from the North,
would be able to force his nomination. AS
Mr.. Blaine had thus promptly established
himself on the floor OF the Senate as the
champion OF Southern Republicans, he
would be shrewd enough to maintain this
leadership to the end, and thereby make
sure OF the nomination in 1880. To thrust
himself into this position required such
violation OF the proprieties OF the Senate
rs Senators are very slow to overlook.
An example Of this was in SO framing
his resolution as not only to avoid all re.
sponsihility himself in the unpleasant in
yestigation for which he provided, but
compel two gentlemen who, though in
more dignified modes, it is true, are at
least competitions for the Republican nom
ination, to conduct the work for which he
had pre-empled the credit. Not only did
Mr.. Edmunds and Mr.. Conkling object to
this sharp practice, but the whole Senate
looked upon 1t as matter OF impertinence.
The case grew more and more irksome to
Republican Senators as the play went on.
In caucus and in active private consulta-
tions they were seeking for the best meth
ods Of dignifed, deliberate and effective
dealings with the grave questions which
the facts OF the Southern elections had
thrust upon then. At every step they
encountered Mr.. Blaine, thinking OF him
self, and seeking, by the shrewd cunning
which constitutes his craftsmanship, to
turn everything to his own personal ad-
vantage. While all were earnestly consid-
ering the new Southern situation, he was
seeking to exhibit himself TO the country
as the only one thoroughly alive to the oc-
casion. .-.-...,
And yet, while all this ranked on the
Republican side, and formed the basis for
cutting private denunciation OF Mr.. Blaine
among themselves, before the galleries
they sat as a Senate, and gave polite and
dignifed attention to the man who had
managed to advertise himself as the cham.
pion OF the new situation, and had fixed
the eyes OF the country upon himself.
This attention and this outward respect
they paid for the good OF Republicanism,
and for the purpose OF showing united
front to the opposition. Solar as the out
ward bearing OF the Senate was concerned
Mr.. Blaine had no cause for complaint,
and every reason for thankiulness.
Republican correspondents who saw the
hollowness of his position still gave him
full credit, and for the sake OF the good
cause, in which he was for the time most
unworthy because intensely selfish work
er, they refrained from uncoyering the sit
uatiou, and rendered him efficient aid.
But when his play was over and the ques-
ton OF beginning the work which the res
olution demanded arose in caucus, II was
TOO much to ask OF Senators that 1Ir.
Blaine's fat refusal 10 have anthing fur.
ther to do with the matter should be re.
ceived with patience. He was generally
and severely denounced, and to such an
extent was this carried rs to be practically
censure OF the Republican caucus. Only
through the impossibility OF Its taking for.
NAL shape did he escape formal censure.
But nothing could move him. In q
prosecution OF his own investigation he
saw some personal disadvantages which
Iothers could not discern, and his refusal to
take part in the inquiry was absolute. His
course reused general and richly merited
party, and the triumph with which the
Democrats would hail the result, It would
have been impossible to obtain Republi.
cans enough to serve npon the committee,
Even these considerations did not receive
full weight at first, and the disposition was
10 throw the whole responsibility upon
Mr.. Blaine, where II belonged, and aban'
don this particular form OF inquiry. But
this feeling was momentary, and atlength
Senators were found who agreed TO serve
though protesting that 1t was only through
regard for the party.
The result has been most disastrous FOL
Mr.. Blaine. He can not regain even the
outward standing he has held among hi
associates. Nor does he any longer de
serve II, He has attempted his old game
OF double dealing once too often, and al
his former ieats Of riding one way in eau
aus and another way before the public ART
being thrown mp 70 him. In fact, hii
effrontery in proposing remedies for III,
Southern situation was prominent beiort
oil minds from first to last Of his late per
iormance. Por he, more than any othe
ton Repuhl hllhans, was. Responsible for hl
: defeat Of the Cohurn bill to protect eleC
tons In the South.
This was. Q bill which, had 1t been en-
Peted, wonld have been sufficient to NEE