Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-08-03
From the Atlantic Monthly
THE REPUBLICANS AND THEIR
CANDIDATE.

danger at Chicago. How great the peril
was from which it found happy de-
hverance the party leaders did not ac-
knowledge to one another, if they were
conscious of it themselves. The news
papers half revealed it to their readers,
while taking considerable pains 10 con-
ceal IT, After the convention was over,
however, it became apparent to every one
not blinded by craftsmanship that the nOml-
nation OF General Grant would have
killed the party. A bolt would inevitably
have occurred, and second convention
would have assembled within month to
put another republican ticket IN the field.
All the conditions were ripe for such a
movement. Party organs would have de-
claimed against 1t, and the men who get
their living from republican politics
would have denounced II; but the move
mcnt would have gone on just the same,
and would have swept away maay OF the
best elements IN the old organization.
The republican party would practically
have closed It's career. Its successor, the
third-term party, beaten by the democrats
az the election. woall soon have disbani-
ed. and the new anti-third term party,
by whatever name 1t might have cAllcd
itself. would in few years have grown
into principal organization. ready by
the next presidential election to make
close contest for the possession OF the
government.
1t is mistake TO suppose that parties
are necessarily long aud can 90
through deadly perils with IMMUNITY.
They are all vulnerable. Some die @:
old age; some because they cannot as
simulate the nutriment of the new ideas
of the time; some perish from corruption
within themselves; some are assassinated.
The republican party has narrowly es-
capped being killed by the selishness and
ambition of few of its leaders. These
men did not designingly seek It's life, but
they were so bent upon accomplishing the
nomination of General Grant that they
became singularly indifferent TO public
opinion and recklessly careless of results.
The outcome OF the struggle at Chi
cago was a fortunate one in all respects.
The attempt to tasten on the entire coun-
try the Boss system. which hourishss In
New York and Pennsylvania, was de-
fea,ed. The third-term plot which aimed
a blow at one OF the chief safeguards Of
free frequent change IN the
supreme executive othce,-was complete
" baffied and overthrown. The republi-
can party was preserved for another four
wears az least, in undiminished strength
and vigor. Still more, by happy inspi-
ration il obtained a candidate possessing
the full confidence OF all It's members and
of all It's leaders; a candidate who repre-
sen,s It's hiyhes, intelligence and bEoadest
craftsmanship. and whose reco;d on every
public question of the dAy Is clear con-
spicuous, and consistent; candidate who
has clements of popularity such as no
presidential nominee has had since
Lincoln.
General Garfelds career illustrates in
a remarkable degree the possibilities OF
American life TO one born with strong
brain in strong body, and gifted with
industry. courage, perseverance, and a
high ambition. His father, poor farm
er. possessed of few sterile acres and a
large family, died when he was SIX years
old. He had no we'll 10 do relative to
help him along. In fact, he had no help
save the counsels of wise, resolute, re-
hgious mother, and no capital save what
Law in his own head and hands. With
the labor of his hands, put forth IN the
lower forms of honest toll, with the axe,
the hoe, the carpenters plane, and on the
tow. path OF a canal, he gained the means
10 obtain such education as rural acade-
nv afforded. Then, making, a capital
of his new store OF know ledge, he taught
country schools, and got the means to
take higher course of study. Equipped
with the training of Massachusetts, col
leee. he opened for himself path IN hte
which began with the Latin and Greek
professorship of an obscure school In Ohio,
and broadened out until It led to a MAJOR
generalship in the Union army, to seat
in Congress held for nine consecutive
terms, TO an election to the senate by the
unanimous choice of his party in the Ohio
legislature, and now to the republican
nomination for the presidency. All these
honors came to him without solicitation,
and without effort on his part to grasp
them. So far as fate shaped his career
in life. il was the career OF q day laborer.
High purposes, an indomitable will, a
great capacity for work, fixed principles,
and GOOD habits enabled him to compel
fate, and change that career TO one Of
conspicuous honor and usefulness. Every
farmer boy cannot become a major-gen-
eral, a senator, and presidential nomi-
nee. but the lesson of Garhelds life Is
that the institutions Of this country place
no obstacles in the way Of the poorest lad
who tolls in the fields or the workshop.
II is a lesson full of encouragement and
cheer. II shows that the country Is not
wholly given over to the rule of political
rings, bosses. and conspirators, and that
one party at least is still strong enough
and wise enough to ''pluck from the
nettle danger the flower safety" and
10 select for its leader a man whose
worthiness and fitness are his only
strength. 1t shows, too. that in spite of
all the changes in our social fabric,