The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-01-19
RT.AT N Y

DIR. Blaine's early selection to be Score
tary of State in the new administration is
fact of significance. It is the one settled
undisputed, aud leading act OF tho Presl
dent elect from which his future course. as
between the contending Republican FAC
tions. may be generally inferred, 81.
Mr., Blaine is that leader OF tbs party
around whom the opposition to the lmpef.
ial bosses, Conkling. Camsron. ana Logsb,
clustered in the last two National Goa
venticns. They understood that ais
triumph meant their humHiatioh' auo
the tremendous conflicts which be waged
IN both occasions showed that he fully
oomprehended their spirit and purpose.
At Cincinnati they defeated him BY trick
ery. foisting upon the party that wretched
creature, Hayes, as the only escape from
the brilliant leader who actually heid tne
hearts of their common following. AT
Chicago Mr.. Blaine returned the cup to
the lips of the conspirators VINO mac
breved IL at Cincinnati. He nominated
Garfield, not because he was at heart
opposed to third term on principls, for
he never dared to say so. and not. per-
ksps. even with the high partisan view OF
saving the party from inevitable disrupt
ion and defeat under Grant. but TO pre-
serve his own power and consequences, and
to humble his ravsning enemies.
They felt the blow and bowed to 1t.
They said by their conduct, and almost by
their words. that Blaine and his allies,
having nominated Garfield, might elect
him; for themselves, they would have
mons of it, This was the situation when
the elder Cameron appeared on the scene.
and began the characteristic intrigue
which led up to the agreement OF Mentor;
and then followed the visit Of Grant.
Conkling, and Logan. and the sudden pre-
cipitation OF the imperial forces 70 the
forefront of the battle for Garhsld.
Ii this treaty of Mentor meant any :
thing, il meant that Blaine was not to be
armed with the strength of the new
administration. to pursue and crush the
very men who thereby engaged to bring 1t
into existence. But nothing can bs more
certain than that Blsine is not going into
the state department as mere hgure-
head, The idle distinction OF office would
have no charms for him, He will exercise
the directing power, and enjoy the patron
age to which his rank in the party, bis
following in the country, and his preemir
nent services to the new president. entitls
him. The secretary of state will again
assume that headship in the cabinet which
he held before the proportions of the
treasury and the war department were
swollen by the war and its consequences
of debt and military burdens. His reIa
tions to the president elect are strlkingly
like those of Mr.. Seward to President
Lincoln. He was himself the real choice
of the party for the nomination.; he is
keen, aggressive politician, of original
conceptions and fertile in expedients; and
be has been designated as the head of
the cabinet almost from tie day of the
election.
All of which proves that man who
will agree to betray old friends may be
pretty certainly expected TO betray new
ones; that the willy imperial fox got his
tail caught in steel trap in tho treaty of
Mentor; and that if he is not finally
knocked in the head and done for. it will
be because there is 10 axe handy with
which Blaine can hit him the finishing
blow IN. Y Sun.