The true northerner., 1880-02-20
ImR BLAINEs PRESIDENTIAL PROS
PECTS.
From the Chicago Tribune.

The most casual observer niue, have beer
impressed within the past two or three weeks
with the remarkable and widespread manifes,a-
tion of Mr.. Blaine's strength rs q candidate sol
the Republican nomination for President. The
evidences of his popularity have increased al
q marvellous rate ever since the Pennsylvanis
Convention was held. Mr.. Blalne's attitude uI
to that time was passive. lie was represented
before that Convention as personally averse to
any active contest in his behalf against Gen
which such an understanding naturally exer-
cised upon his friends, his popular strength in
PennsylvaniA was so decided that it came within
few votes OF defeating The Grant Instructions
for which the Convention had been organized
by tue Cameron politicians. When the pro-
ceedings OF the Convention became known, Ii
was generally conceded that il was Cameron
rather than Grant who had carried the day,
and that the Blame slement IN the State would
have controlled the Convention had Blaine
placed himself at the head OF his army OF
friends sud encouraged them to make the
contest.
II is now announced from Washington on
what appears to be good authority that Mr..
Blaine, acting upon the earnest ADVICE OF his
more ultimate adherents, has declared his pur-
pose to come before ths people from now on
IS an active and not merely willing candidate.
This determination has evidently been brought
about BY popular demonstrations OF preference
for Blaine which it would be folly for him to
ignore and ngratitude in him to depreciate.
When Mr.. Blaine decided that he would do
nothing to advance bis own claims At the ex-
pense OF Gen. Grant 1t WAS under the impres-
sion, which obtained very generally throughout
the country. that the Republican nomination
would lie rendered to Grant almost without
oppo siiion in case Blaine were not candidate.
There we're many circumstances that made this
theory probable. The popular demonstrations
Of pride and admiration with which Gen Grant
WAS received everywhere upon his return to the
United States were widely accepted as ipdica
tive OF general desire on the part OF the peo-
pie to call him back TO political life. Follow
ing the excitement and glamour OF these re-
ceptions, however, came abundant evidences
that a large proportion OF those who had joined
heartily in the welcome extended 20 the great
General of the War upon his return after an
absence OF several years had no intention to
express thereby political preference for the
ha nj mt
there was distrust OF the purposes OF the ex-
Confederates which had been inspired by the
attempt 10 the extra, session Of Congress TO
break down the Election laws, aud this distrust
led many persons 10 believe that the typical
sifoIg man OF tn country should be called
to the front. But ihe apprehension OF new
sectional troubles has worn away during the
las. Few months, and there are not nearly so
many people who feel willing to sacrifice the
precedent against 3 third term to doubtful
necessity for the strong man Finally, Gen.
Grants position has been believed til! within
the last few DAYS. TO be that he would only
take the nomlnatiau in case II was rendered to
hm with practical unan;nlty. The Pennsyl
vania Convention demonstrated the furtty OF
auy such hope, and i; is now declared that
Grant is wiling ttst bis friends SHOULD make a
fight gor the nomination and that lie will ac
cept it, no matter how fierce struggle may he
necessary nor how snail majority shall be
secured for him IL Convention.
These are some Of the circumstances which
have put new aspect Upon Gen. Grants
candidacy. and have relieved Mr.. Blaine Of
any previous obligation ne may have felt not
to make personal and aggressive struggle for
the nomination. II it is certain that there is a
formidable opposition within the Republican
party TO tue nomination OF Grant, then Mr.
Blaine, who is probably the second choice OF .
majority OF Grants friends, cannot neglect his
own CLAIMS. Ifit be fact that Grant intends
to be candidate in spite OF opposition, then
there are no personal reasons why Blame
should hold aloof and give other contendng
candidates an advantage over him without do
ing Grants cause any service. Il. ese considera-
tions justify Mr.. Blaines ayowsd and active
candidacy, and by placing himself At the head
OF the hosts Of his friends throughout the
country he will unquestionably give a decided
impulse to the movement in his behalf
There are other circumstances OF recent de-
velopment which signalize Biaine's popularity.
The people Of Pennsylvania are beginning to
make open protest against the Grant ins:ruc-
tons and the unit rule imposed upon their
Convention by Don Cameron. Meetings are
beng held and clubs organized in the interest
OF Independent action on the paIt Of the dele
gates, which is really in Blaines interest. IL is
stated ths, there are now twenty OF the Penn
sylvania delegates who will refuse to be bound
by the unit rule, and there may be such an eI-
preston Of popular protes, before the date OF
the Chicago Convention that every Blaine dele
gate, and every delegate representing Blaine
constituency, will feel no. merely free to dis
regard the Grant instructions but actually con-
strained to east his vote Independently OF the
unit rule in obedience 10 the cboiee OF hia djs-