The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-06-17
James A. Garfield.
philadelphia Press. !

lpnlu I GcSS.
The Chicago convention has done q
good work. The nomination of James
a. Garfield is not only a strong and
wise one in itself, but it is singularly
well calculated to harmonize the var
ious factions and thoroughly unite the
entire Republican party. There is
nothing which has been more clearly
demonstrated than that the first choice
of the great mass of Republicans in
those States which had Republican
majoritieS to give was James G.
Blaine of Maine. His nomination
would have been popular triumph
and would have elected display of
enthusiasm such as no other living
American statesman can command.
The campaign would have been one of
unusual excitement as the untiring
zeal of his followers would have suf-
fered no 3batement or omitted no oc-
casion for making its power felt
But zeal and enthusiasm, though of
great value in campaign, do not
avail beyond a certain point. 1t is
after all, the silent vote that deter
mines the result, and it is by no
means assured that Mr.. Blaine could
have rallied the full Republican
strength. Many whose party allegi-
ance is slack had declared against
him. This in connection with scant
support in certain prominent Repub-
lican quarters, would have made his
election in November far less certain
than is that of the candidate finally
agreed upon.
Mr.. Garfield, unlike most compro-
mise candidates, need no Introduction
to the country. He has been for
many years in the public service; his
record is known, his opinions are
known, his ability has been tested
and his character proved over and
over again. The leadership of his
party in the House fell naturally to
him, not only because he was an able
parliamentary tactician, but because
in the thorough mastery and discus
sion of economic questions he had
there no superior. OF broad culture
and wide human sympathies moder-
ate in language yet strong in his con-
victions, with nice sense of Justice
and with a head so uniformly level
that no excitement can rufile it or
no sophistry confuse. When counsel
is needed he is ever ready with words
of sober common sense, which carry
conviction in their mere statement.
The country cannot but regard such
Il man with just confidence and deep
respect. His is, moreover, one of
those generous Western natures which
with Better acquaintance inspire
strong personal attachment.
The supporters of Blaine, Grant,
can each support Garfield with all the
zeal and interest that they would have
given their special candidate. The
voter who thinks little
of parties but great deal of candi-
dates, will find in General Garfield
one who comes up even to his exact
ing standard. AS, owing to the com
position of the convention and the
divided state of public feelings, it was
demanded that personal preferences
give way to the best interests of the
entire party, we regard the nomina-
ton OF Mr.. Garfield as the most fortu-
nate one which the convention could
have placed before the country. With
his name at the head of their ticket, the
Republican party will again, as in
1860, carry every Northern State.
The spectre of a third term has gone
down, and with it has disappeared all
race of the fears which calm obser-
vers everywhere felt of Democratic
riumph next November