Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-05-26
lanraster flltelltge,lcer.
WEDNESDAY EVENING. NAY 40. 1880
A ReYiyed Politician.


given himself out as retired politician,
has been born again since Illinois verl-
fied the Grant boom, and turns up with
a long chatter about men and things to a
New York Herald reporter, who fortu-
nately comes across him in the nick OF
time, as he lies on his leather library
sofa bursting with talk. Unless Simon
Cameron has reached his second child
hood and talks with the garrullty OF
age, he had some object in arranging TO
he found by this reporter and Ill pouring
out to him talk that brings the old man
again into the field of politics and con-
troversy. Probably the sound OF the
battle is too much for the old war-hOrse,
and he charges in to the help of his son
Donald with reckless impetuOsity. 10
enjoy quiet life and an easy one amid
the rural delights of Donegal and the
beauties of Maytown, the veteran hao
better have remained quiet. 1t hardly
will pay him to open fire upon either
Blaine or Curtin. If the latter is rs dead
as he says he is, it was needless ana
somewhat cowardly to throw any more
stones at him. And the Cameron anti
Blaineism is too well established TO en-
able Simon to hurt him by ventilating his
opinion that there are too many things
about him needing explanation to make
him good candidate. This IS true
about Blaine Of course, but it has no par
ticular strength from such source; ana
cannot have any particular influence IN
An issue between two men like Grant and
Blaine, who both have records that their
partisans will not care to attempt full
explanation of. Railroad subsidies and
Mulligan letters will embarrass one side
no more than San Domingo and the
whisky ring will trouble the other
Neither candidate will ever make the
presidency if the people should happen TO
be in the humor for wanting explanations
and MIR. Cameron while advocating Grant
may save himself much profitless trouble
by refraining from throwing mud at
Blaine.
The things the ex-senator says about
Ex-Governor Curtin are not Of any partlc-
ular value, whether true or otherwise.
His estimate of Curtin's character may
be correct but coming from an avowed
enemy it will he harmless discharge
against the BellefOnte statesman. 1t
shows lively degree of malignity in the
older man. which he might. perhaps
modify with profit to his spiritual state
The confidence with which he maintains
his opinion that Grant is the strongest
candidate his party can take, and the
= scornfulness with which he sneers ut the
general opinion that he is the weakest Is
very remarkable, especially in view OF
his declaration that he has great rcvcr
ence for public opinion. That strong
current of opinion exists against Grant
for Il third term is indisputable, and tht
bold hypocrisy with which Simon ignore:
what he reveres, is in charmingly Gamer
oman style. 1t is the ruling spirit stron:
in the diving hour. The old man vii
never enter straight the gates OF heaven
he must have devious way. OF course
his confidence in Grants strength is as
sumed; and equally, of course, his con
tempt of his opponents is put on. Abo"
one thing, however,. he is to he ac
cepted as an authority; and that l
to the fitness of men for the field of poll
tics in this country. His son Don is
the elect: his sOn-in-law, Mac Veagl,
of those found wanting. The Judgment
correct. MacVeagh is popularity suppose
to he too decent to succeed as Il Repul
lican politician while Donald Camera
is not considered to have any such dis
qualification The fathers judgmeI
agrees with the peoples and with tn
facts.
But it suggests rather strongly to I'll
people whether it would not be better ft
them to turn out the CamerOns and tai
in tho Mac Veaghs. Mr.. MacNeagh
not particularly strong man; he is
good lawyer and talker, but his sp
cial failing as a politician is h
instinct of decency. lie wou
rather walk straight than croo
ed, live honestly, abstain from intrigu
and let his fellow citizens be the keepe
of their own political consciences al
the controllers of their own votes. III
Cameron idea of the full measure of
man is that he shall obtain power
any way that he can get it, and that
discharges most successfully his missit
on earth who reduces the greatest nu1
ber of freenen to his will. Blaine is
disciple of this same school: but he III
grown greater than the master. lie sc
up for himself and the leaders who are
heartily in accord in their views fiji
themselves, in obedience to the teac
ings of their school, in hostile camp
The Camerons are for Grant, becau
they can make most of him. The pO
people are to be the victims whichsoev
wins. That is the purport of Simon Car
eron's declaration that the Mac Veal
style of men had better keep out of po
tics. 1t is true declaration, with Il
present manipulation which the peol
submit to. Possibly it will always
true. But it does seem the strangest
things that fellows who do not cOnce
the mean purposes with which they se'
political power are permitted to get
and are the only ones who can reach
although that power is conferred by t
fhaoroti icallv FREQ S,lffrape of an intel