The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-04-30
MONTANA AND CHICAGO.

The Territorial Republican Convention
meets In Helena tomorrow. A sufficient
number OF counties have signifed their
choice to place 1t beyond doubt that Blame
will b endorsed BY the Convention for
President and Delegates TO Chicago will be
selected accordingly. While Blame is not
our choaoe, even Of the candidates In the
Geld, he seems to be that Of majority Of
Republicans in the Territory and that Is
Sufficient. The majority rules oven IL the
minority ID right. This county has made
up it, record and ID content to stand by 1t.
The outlook in the Western States Is
not % favorable for Grant a it was some
weeks ago. Blaine has been gaining
ground IN States where his opponents be-
lieved themselves solid. Tho pivotal
State appears now to be Illinois, which holds
Its convention in May and in which viii be
concentrated the best energies Of the two
principal contestants. In this Blaine's man.
ayers arc carrying the war into Africa !"
against the combined influence Of Grant,
Wsshburne and Logan. We do not consid-
or the State even doubtful. Yet 1t must be
admitted tho situation ID not over fattering
In the home State Of the candidate. The
fact 10 tho people do not look favorably on
tho Third Term question, and 1t Ii . bur-
den for the Grant managers TO bear.
On tho other hand Blaine II not ~ strong
- was claimed for him 10 the New England
States. Vermont and Massachusetts, have
declared for Edmunds and Connecticut de-
clined to endorse Blaine. These States
have A votes In the Chicago Convention
against tho 80 votes from the New England
States for Blaine. Even II Illinois shows -
lack Of confidence 10 Grant" BY declining to
instruct for him, 1t will be no worse than
New England does for Blaine. II Grant ID
nominated there will be some detection In
the German vote and by tho Northern In
dependents; but he will more than com
pensate 1t in the South. Ii Blaine is nom-
mated he will lose the south and the North.
ern Independents. Al IL il not only q
question Of nomination but election that
the Chicago Convention will have to con
slider, these matters will have weight With
the Delegates who will hold the balance of
power.
While it 10 evident the Grant movement
lacks that spontaneity and demand for his
candidacy which was offered N the princi-
pal reason therefor it is still asserted by bis
friends that he will remain candidate and
not withdraw from the canvass until he Is
defeated. This is the attitude attributed
to him by Logan. General Grant, twice
President and the foremost citizen Of the
| world, rtainly does not aspire to the 20.
sitiOn Of being defeated at Chicago, nor ia
there any danger II he persists. His
withdrawal in favor Of either Edmunds
or Washburne would harmonic we'll with
tho theory Of his campaign. but 1t seems
| he Ii In the hands Of his friends-which
practically means Conkling, Cameron and
| Logan-and they cannot unite on . second
choice-at present. The result is: Grant
Ii compelled, whatever his personal desire
may be, to fight IL out on that line till the
Convention meets or the Delegates are
within reach of caucus. Then II be does
not wish to be candidate he will be free to
decline.
| The farther the campaign progresses the
| moro We are impressed that neither Grant,
Blaine nor Sherman will be ominated at
Chicago. There Is no first friend standing
back Of either Blaine or Sherman, while to
many Of the supporters of each Washburns
or Edmunds il acceptable, and the avowed
first choice Of many who arc supporting
Grant. lit Is foreshsdowed neither Grant
nor Blaine will be nominated the conclusion
of tho Convention will be largely influenced
by expediency and in that event Washburne
with his status as sterling Republican and
unimpeachable record will, In addition, be
commended by the friendship Of the Ger
man element Of the country and the inau.
ence that that will be exerted In the South
BY Grants close friendship for him. The
action of the New England States not On.
dorsing Blaine cannot but be construed az
directly hostile to him and the fight he has
made against Sherman In Ohio will lead all
the Sherman Delegates away from the
Blaine camp. The campaign, however, is
down to close work and the action Of any
week may change the aspect OF affairs.