The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-19
Hayes, or Washburne, or Who -
Il Thare a Dark HOrsey

/ The Blaine men ''come up smiling" after
their defeat in the National Committee and
assert that the election of decided Grant
man as chairman on the first ballot has no
political significance. 1t is their interest
to have it thought so, but is it true? Sena-
tor Cameron, they assure us, with an air OF
innocent candor, was elected solely for his
superior fitness, his wealth, energy, connec-
tions, influence, and his skill, courage and
address as political manager. But why did
not Mr.. Blaine's friends think OF this before
their defeat? Did Don Cameron suddenly
acquire all these brilliant qualifications
after four o'clock on Wednesday? At any
rate, the Blaine men did not seem to dis
cover them until after General Averill was
beaten. Senator Cameron being so pre-
eminently fit for the place, why did the
Blaine merpit an inferior candidate against
him and make vigorous fight against
the new chairman? w. e. Chandler. Mr..
Frye and other Jealous friends Of Blaine
spent Tuesday evening and the forenoon Of
Wednesday in active lobbying against Don
Cameron at the Arlington House; they
spared no effort to defeat him. But when
their attempt is foiled they turn round and
aver, with amusing assurance, that Mr..
Cameron's election has no political signifi-
canoe We suppose they will next assure
us that their strenuous opposition to him
was also devoid of any political aim. One
might think from what they say now that
Mr.. Cameron was really their own candi-
date, and that they only put forward Gen.
eral Averill as foil to set off his qualiica-
tions.
The facts are that Mr.. Kemble's resigna-
ton of his place on the committee was not
voluntary, but was urged upon him by
General Grants friends with view to have
Senator Cameron appointed in his place in
General Grants interest. It was the
pith of this design that Mr.. Came
ron should be made the executive
head of the committee to clothe him
with power to carry out the Grant pro-
gramme. Mr.. Gorham, Jealous Grant
man, proposed Cameron's name in the COM
mittee. The majority who voted for Came
ron expressed, and intended to express,
their preference for General Grant for the
Presidency. The selection of Averill was q
selection ,aade by the friends OF Blaine,
and the votes given to him were meant to
be hostile to General Grants nomination.
Messrs. Chandler and Frye, who organized
and led the opposition, affected no disguise
on this point previous to the ballot.
Mr.. Blaine's friends probably miscalcu-
lated their strength in the committee when
they organized their opposition to Came
ron. Unless they were sure they could de-
feat him it was blunder to attempt it.
They were sensible of their blunder after
the result was declared, and made a lame
attempt to have it believed that Cameron
was elected solely on the ground of his SUI
perior personal fitness. AS the fitness is
indisputable they would have saved them
selves from IN awkward predicament by
recognizing it at the outset and voting
for Cameron. In that case they would not
have had 10 stultify themselves by pretend
ing that his election had no political signif-
canoe. But they perceived their blunder
as soon as the vote was taken and made the
vote for Keogh, the new secretary, unani-
nous. although he is as pronounced Grant
man as Senator Cameron. This is precisely
what they would have done with reference
to Cameron himself had they foreseen
that they could not defeat him. They
would perhaps have been more eau
tious had they not remembered that
it was Mr.. Cameron who prevented
the nomination of Blaine in 1876. The
placing of Mr.. Cameron ut the head of the
committee could in no circumstances be
regarded as favorable to the aspirations of
Senator Blaine, but it was bad strategy for
the Blaine men to proclaim it by their
strenuous but futile attempt to elect Gen.
eral Averill
Secretary Sherman is q more wary poll
tician, and he played his cards better.
Like the friends of Mr.. Blaine. he took a
lively interest in what was going on,
and was at the Arlington House on
Wednesday morning in consultation with
members of the committee. He sees plainly
enough, what Mr.. Blaine does not yet see,
that there is little chance for any other
candidate if General Grant consents to run.
Mr.. Sherman therefore hedges and hedges
skiliully. II Grant refuses to be candi-
date the nomination will lie, according to
present appearances, between Sherman and
Blaine. By acquiescing in the election of
Cameron Mr.. Sherman has had the pru-
dence not to antagonize General Grant, and
if Grant is taken out of the field
he has chance Of inheriting the
Grant .'boom." As matters stand the
whole strength of the Grant movement is
directed against Blaine. Until Grant re-
tires everything will be done to undermine
and weaken the Maine candidate. He will
have the whole field against him, and the
opposition will become 30 set in the Grant
interest that in the event Of Grants with
drawal no part of it will go over to Blaine.
If the Grant strength should not then con-