Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-06-11
JAMES G. BLAINE.

In this campaign we selected Hon, JAMES
g. BLAINE as our first choice; first, be.
cause he was n bold, fearless and able
statesman. Second, because we regarded
him the strongest man with whom the Re-
publicans could gain a victory in their own
party which would not be second in import
Ance to a victory over the Democratic par
ty-a victory over third term and unit
rule and all these imply, and the tactics
employed to carry them into success.
That he would become a prominent mark
from this exhalted position for the arrows
OF the green-eyed monster was to be ex.
pected. Though failing to secure the po-
sition of standard bearer, he is entitled
to the everlasting gratitude of the people
of this Republic for his bold onslaught
and capture Of the third term fort.
We are pleased to see the Cincinnati
Gazette give him credit in such strong terms
for this act. 1t had strongly opposed his
nomination four years ago and in the pres
ent campaign, but recognizing what he has
accomplished, it snys:
Senator Blaine deserves well OF his coun-
try. He alone made the fight against
third term and all its consequences, which
has extinguished that presumptuous at
tempt to abolish law that is planted in
the foundations of the Republic. We are
aware how ensy is the argument that
good President grows better with expert
cnce, and that to change him for new man
is against all business rules, and also OF the
ease with which men persuade themselves
that their candidate ia better than any
safeguard of law, and that with him the
county is safe.
But to break down the limitation Of re-
elections would make inevitable that the
natural ambition of man, this same SOFT OF
reasoning, sharpened by confidence in him
| self, would lead Presidents TO seek renom-
| nations as long as they lived, and would
speedily bring the lime when all the pow
er OF government patronage would be used
to this chief end. This would make
change in the constitution OF our govern
ment greater than any that could be made
| in the written instrument, and would be
long step toward life tenure and that Cse
sarism 10 which Democracies naturally
tend.
Mr. Blaine alone made the fight against
this change in our institutions, although
in that he had to encounter the booming
popularity of the successful soldier. His
candidacy was against what the whole
country recognized as Grants candidacy
No other candidate antagonized Grant.
Each candidate courted the Grant sup
porters, hoping to get them after Blaine
had made Grants nomination impossible.
Thus Blaine's candidacy against Grants
made their candidacy possible.
Blaine it was that beat third and fourth
terms, and all that these implied TO our
country's future. This monster cannot
rise again during this generation, nor at
all until some great war shall raise up q
lucky soldier. who shall be exalted as a
demigod, TO whom the people will resign
their liberties. Having beaten third term
Mr.. Blaine did not make his own candida.
cy superior to the party, nor hold his forces
to feed blind resentment; but they moved
in such n way as TO nominate a man who
had not been candidate, who had moi
bowed the knee 10 third term, and whC
could best serve the Republican party by
harmonizing all its contending factions
} Therefore, Senator Blaine deserves well o.
| his country.