New-York tribune., 1880-02-15
SENATOR BLAINE's POPULARITY.


SIR: / have recently travelled over eighteen
states Of the Union, and have been careful observer
of the current OF popular feeling among Republicans.
Although found many admirers OF Sherman, and
some who hoped Grant Tenominated IL Is fact
that where found one sherman man / found three IN
favor OF Blline and where found Ave Grant men,
found thirty who preferred the Maine Senator know
that some persons will say: "Oh he is Blaine man.
aud therefore is likely to seek The friends OF that
gentleman than any others" Not so am more the
friend OF one than other. vote for either, aud
anxious 10 see either elected because think one
would make AS good President the other. | mean
simply state fact namely that Blaine has the peo
pie with him mean the Republican portion OF them,
of
Now your readers may inquire why this is so. Some
| found VINO one reason and some another. For
instance In Kansas the peone say Blaine is big in
miud heart and soul" In Ill ois, farmer with whom
travelled from quincy TO htcIeO said: The people
In my section for Baiae, because lie is more man
Of the people than any OF our pu0lic men-mOre as
Lincoln was" In Michigan an editor put it thus :
Lincoln styong with the people because they
could associate the Kentucky log cabin and the
Mississippi fiat with his early life struggle: and
Blaine is popular with them because they associate
with the struggle OF the honest country school
teacher whO by diut OF energy and pluck, has worked
his way the highest place In the Rcpublic-that OF
Senator"
him because he is genius IN government" In Western
New-YOrk great business man said would ike to
see President who - more the choice Of TIE peO
ple than OF the politicians, and such is Blaine"
In Kentucky gentleman told me: Blaine is liked by
Republicans my State because lie Is sUrh ric IdiY
sort OF a mat he l. afraid 10 take hand not kid
eloyed" In OHIO leading politician said to me I:
Blainc's election would pacify the country by putting
forever at rest all idea putting the South top
school teacher in Colorado told me tat II Mt Blaine
should President the American free school
tenn would be popular in South Carolina as in
Maine"
and made note of Il, but do not think II important 10
cite IL all here And heard some good ihiugs OF SBer
man and OF Grap SON" VINO avor the nomination ot the
point 10 tne success Ot the hdnta policy OF tHe
Goycrnmenf and there stop, claiming for that success
argument enough entte the Secretary TO the Prcsl
,ieucy The men support the idea o. third term
Grant found 10 be generally sucl as formerly held
office under him. their uuccs, cousins, or brohersn
law-goOd most Of them. lt Is also a fact That
nearly all the Grant men met are Blaine men when IL
to the matter OF a second choice Aud many of
the Blaine prefer Grant 10 Sherman, TO any and
an others. But SAID. Blame seemed 70 ny far
the most popular 0f all the men named as candidates.
IconVcIsed with several Western editors aud wish
could properly publish their frank utteTanccs this
matter bur do not deem right to DO seeing tnat
their views expressed III private interviews. one
thing can without indecOrum namely taat nearly
all Of them think Blame Will really be the nominee az
the convention although, for by them deemed
good tney portion OF them. are, NJ present, favor
ing either the Grant BOom," OF that OF some other
man.
that, If nis choce not that OF The convention h.
wanted Blaine, aud gave "a reason that " ho (Nlr.
BlainC) the popular man named in Cincinnati
IN 1876 and by right should cave been nominated but
ought 10 gct the honor tr Grant does not" I. W.
ByOokiyn, Feb. ii, 1850