The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-03-13
AS TO MIR. BLAINE.

If there is any man in congress who
was recently nearer the presidency than
another, that man Is Senator Blaine,
but he is not 30 conspicuous now for
prospective success. The session of
congress just closed demonstrated that
the jealousy and enmity of rivals, and
those who are not rivals, were con-
stantly menacing him and absorbing
the thunder from his flashes of presi-
Dental electricity. His n great act
during the last session was the speech
In support of his resolution to inquire
| into intimidations practiced at the
| November elections In the south, and
could public interest have been kept up
by appropriate developments on the
part of the Teller committee, Mr..
Blaine would indeed have added on
derfully to his great strength. The
investigation fell fat, however, and
was soon lost sight Of in other partisan
contentious.
On the Chinese bill Mr.. Blaine was
equally unfortunate. That he deserv-
eddy gained considerable strength In the
west for his advocacy Of that measure,
is not doubted; and it is equally true
that he lost in greater proportion in the
east. SO the chances of the Maine
senator succeeding President Hayes are
not Of the most roseate hue; but then
James G. should remember that no sen
ator ever doffed the toga to don the ex-
ecutive robes. 1t Is the k1 non scripta
Of the American republic that no sena-
tor shall become president.
Mr.. Blaine made a serious mistake
when be left the house for the senate.
His great forte Is leading q hopeless mi
nority against q rampant majority. His
brilliant parliamentary sorties which
discounted and demoralized the house
Of the F~orty-fourth congress of which
he was q member, won him the regard
Of the republican party. 1t vas only
the jealousy Of rival leaders which pre-
vented him from obtaining the presi-
Dental nomination in the Cincinnati
convention. Don Cameron. with the
power Of casting the vote of the Penn
sylvania delegation as a unit, prevent
ed the majority thereof from going over
to Blaine. which would have effected
Blaine's nomination, Notwithstanding
the stubborn opposition of Wyoming's
delegates. 1t is therefore apparent
that the eloquent statesman from
Maine ut that time was first in the
hearts Of q majority Of his party. But
the same condition OF things does not
exist at present. His popularity has
been ebbing, which lie all the more
strange, aimee no other man has appear
cd to absorb party favor. 1t may be men,
toned as q curious circumstance that
the republican party has now no ''fa-
vorite son." the first time In the histo-
ry Of the organization that such has
been the case. Blaine was the last to
merit this honorable distinction. The
laurels have faded from his brow, and
there Is no one to succeed him. He
must replace the garland, or his defeat
for the nomination in 80 will not only
prove certain, but humiliating.
However, Mr.. Blaine may make
amends. for his loss Of favor. The SEN
ate, which will o again be in session
will possess the same conditions which
made his celebrated parliamentary Z
ploits In the house possible. He can
once again lead the opposition to their
W destruction, but an obstacle might
intervene; those naughty senator's, Ed
munds and Conkling, disavowing
Blaine's leadership, could harrass him
and thus spoil his opportunity. II he
he vouchsafed against such a contin-
gency, he may win back his shining
honors; and US the LEADER has always
admired his genius and courage, we
hope that he will retrieve. Hard and
good work is necessary, however.
Blaine has the capacity and the will;
what he needs is simply the opportu-
nitv