New-York tribune., 1880-02-18
OPINIONS FROM FOUR STATES.

JAMES B. ROOT
Try TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.l
w.sutyGroN. Feb17.-Tbe following are reports
NJ conversations with OF the vlce-pfesldehts VI
The Blaine Club organized here last SATURDAY,
Ropresentative Charles J. Williams, of Wisconsin,
,ays: While have opinions to disguise i nave
,o deeire 70 he conspicuous in a matter OF so much
inheritance can only repeat what have ALREADY
aid in substance elsewhere. think Wisconsin
would cordially support either of the prominent
,onaiaates named if nominated at Chicago.
,peak of the sentiment of the state as a whoie ho'
as to localities. -
Oar people have no caprices nor grudges they
Al NOT forget the fame of General Grant nor the
homage which has just been pad MN IN
foreign countries as the most distinguished
of American citizens. Secretary sherman mas
many friends among our people, ana t"ey
hovs fn,l confidence in his Republcanism, hsineg-
ritv and his capacity for that high once; ou.
think tie masses of our Republicans those who
have snmmeIed and wintered with the party from
;ts birth and who work with vim III u
convass-are overwhelmingly for Mr.. Blame.
Somehow they feel that he is entitled to 1t. Ihey
sec that his services are not only required Out CON-
manded in every campaign, from Name 10 iowa. anu
he always responds with a Will. lie never shirhs
responsibity but renders his services as cheerIulY
for others as for himself and takes the brunt oi tne
fight whether opponents be lew OF many Oui
people like that.
"a It used to be said that, while Blaine could le'u
in the turbulent House of Representatives, he
,yould lack the self pose and coolness necessary III
ihe Senate that is said no longer. 1t Is no DIS
management TO any of the eminent statesmen in that
eminent body to say that he has shown hlinSeH the
peer of the most eminent of them all lie mas JUST Dee
tested in his own State as few men are ever tested
While he had able coadjutors he was the one VINO
yvould he held responsible. hasty action or
single mistake would bring ruin upon himself
anarchy upon his State, and possibly disturb,
ances to the whole country. For DAYS ana
weeks he was subjected to this STRAIN,
such as seldom comes to any yet he never lost
his head. but brought order out OF chaos with
out the shedding of drop OF blood.
Now we believe, as he would have received
the cepsure of failnre. so he 40 ehtieIou
to the ceuit uf success and that he has displayed
tho very qualities which will be most in demand
at the capital. if the next Presidential canvass
shall end in scenes which thoughtful men sincerely
fear it may.
81 think no man could be nominated who woud
create more enthusiasm among the young keDubll-
cans of the West than Mr.. Blaine. have answered
you thus at length in order to state candldly the
s;tuation as see it, and as I think our people see
II and not specially to champion Mr.. Blaine or to
exnress hostility to any other candidate; for feel
none nor do | think the generality OF our people
DO" -
General Stephen A. Hurlbut, vice-pIesident for
Illinois said 1T is not advisable for anybody to
ignore the fact that there is strong and respect
nble opposition to General Grant in three at least
of the doubtful States-in New-York. Ohio and
Wisconsin-an opposition sufficient to defeat
him in either of these States if his friends
tbov Grants
strength consisted in the idea that he was demanded
Inv the people and the upSbOt Of the Pennsylvania
Convention shows that in that State at least he was
not demanded by the people; but 1t was considered
necessary TO foreclose public opinion by deciding
not to submit the question of choice TO the people
themselves In every county IN pennsylvania
where the choice was given to the people, the dec
]aration was Enthusiastically for Blaine.
at is not becoming to the position and reputation
NJ General Grant that he should be a candidate TO
be nominated by machine politics; and that lm-
press.on seems to have taken hold of the people,
esnecially in Illinois No man who has any knowl-
edge of the purposes of the Democratic party has
auy right to believe that either General
Grant or any other Republican will be per-
mitted to recelye single electoral vote
from the Southern States. 1t is iinmaterial how
the popular vote may 90 there, the Republican
electoral vote will never be counted; so thai the
struggle turns entirely upon the Republicans carry
ing a solid North, and the candidate, whoever he
may be- must represent the feelings, impulses, opin-
ions and preferences Of the Republican voters en-
masse of the Northern States
"Itis my opinion that Mr. Blaine to-day is the
strongest popular candidate in the United States ;
that there would be enthusiasm, reaching down to
the everyday voter. which seems to be the only
poss.ble condition of Republican success and for
this reason, although have always been. and am
q strong personal aDd political friend of General
Grant. do not believe that his candidacy will be
very honorable to him or safe for the Republican
party"
REPRESENTATIVE d. c.. Haskell is vice-president for
Kansas. He said he was for Blaine because he
thought the drift of public sentiment in his State
was that way. " For myself" he said. =" l am for
the nominee of the Convention / don't know
whether Blaine is the strongest candidate
before the people or not / didn't know
anything about this Blaine Club; Twas not there
when itorganized, and, though have no objection
TO having my name the list of yce-presidents, |
must say that have little faith in clubs of this
kind / don't believe that they do much
good. Blaine is a good man, but we have host of
good men. like Garfield, Washburne and n score of
others sherman a very good man, and an able
one we'll worthy the Office. have no decided per-
sonal preference. Ii Blame Is possessed OF
the requisite amount of backing he will be
amagni6cent candidate He is as free from spots
as any public man. perhaps; Washington life is the
crucial test of the characters of public men. Take
cube of polished steel, and you can detect no
rough places, but with microscope you may dis
cover the little holes. Bnt must not 90 by the
microscope or we should find nothing perfect"
FROM MR.. BLAINEs STATE.
Representative I. b. Reed Is vce-president for
Maine The Blaine boom. hs says, is OF very recent