Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-05-27
The Machine Supreme.

oil the aims and purposes OF the third
term syndicate, that doubt must have
been eiiectually dissipated by the ac-
tion of the Illinois Republican State
Convention. 1t was universally con-
ceded that if General Grant succeed
ed in securing his own State his NOM
ination at Chicago, in June, was set
tied beyond dispute. The aggressive
and brilliant tactics of the Blaine
men, who utilized the manifest prefer
ence for Washburne, to break the
back of the Logan combination for
the ex-President, at one time assum-
ed such formidable proportions as to
make the outlook for the hero of San
Domingo gloomy indeed. The really
able and responsible leaders of Re
publican sentiment in Illinois opposed
sending Grant delegation to Chicago
They were determined and sincere in
their desire to have the unmistakable
voice of Republican Illinois echoed
in the Convention for either Blaine or
Washburnc. 1t mattered little to
them which of these distinguished
gentlemen should gather around them
the mantle of the nomination. Their
unfriendliness to Grant was boldly
and defantly faunted in the face Of
the world, and in his own State he
encountered more bitter and unrelent-
ing hostility than has met him in any
stage of his remarkable canvass for
the empty honor of a third nomina-
ton for President Of the United States.
But the potency of the machine was
never more fully vindicated. Penn
sylvania and New York outlined the
programme of the third-terme-s. The
lash was laid on quick and fast,
and Cameron and Conkling pocketed
their State delegations regardless of
the earnest protest, and, in some
isolated cases, actual revolt, of an
indignant minority. 1t was at once
seen that no measure would be left
untried to make Grant the nominee.
Two great States had spoken, and
the anxious gaze of the whole Nation
was turned toward the setting sun as
the hosts Of Caesar gathered upon the
plains of Illinois for the final and
decisive struggle. The swarthy and
unbridled junior Senator from that
State was in immediate command,
while his illustrious chief calmly sur
veyed the field from the peaceful
shade of his Galena home. Logan
never shone to- better advantage than
he did in the turbulent convention ut
Springfield, when he forged General
Grant away to the front in the
great battle. The machine was in
perfect working order aud Logan
had his hand upon the lever. Emu
lous of the fame of Cameron and
Conkling as matchless political man
ipulators, he endeavored to write his
name on the scroll of honor away
above them both, dnd the result
of his herculean efforts surely en-
titles him to the distinction of being
one of the most skillful masters of
political chicanery in the third.term
Syndicate. While Cameron and Conk.
ling carried their respective State
Conventions, there was little of real,
substantial satisfaction Afforded them
by their triumph. Mutiny was the
order of the day, and even now sullen
dissatisfaction is likely to develop into
open rebellion. But Logan throttled
treason before it drew full breath,
and as the outcome Grant will march
to Chicago with a practically unani-
nous delegation at his back to speak
for him and his native State. There
is no indication of a lack of allegiance
upon the part of the delegates to the
great traveller. The opposition con-
tent themselves by ringing the changes
upon their grievances in the news
papers. 1t is only sound and fury,
signifying nothing. The omnipotence
of the machine has been more than