New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-18
THE SfCRETA RY or STATE.

| IHE DECAEI1 ~ OG DI4IE.
| No Premier except Mr.. Seward has ever had
such burden of responsibility thrown upon
| him in the first five months Of his service as
Mr.. Blaine has had, and the manner in whcl,
he has passed through every ordeal is n full
! indication of the wisdom of General Garfield
n placing him at the head of his Cabinet. He
has fulfilled every hope of his friends and dis
! appointed every prediction Of his enemies. His
| communications with foreign Governments.
while marked with his characteristic energy
and studious regard for the interests of his
own country, so far as they have been given to
| the public have been models of simplicity and
propriety of statement. Those who feared, or
pretended to fear, n brilliant adventurous,
| ilihustering administration of the State De-
partment may comfort themselves with the
promise of an administration not less prudent
and able than the best that we have had
In domestic affairs the conduct of Mr. Blaine
has been equally wise and discreet. Everybody
knew that our senior Senator was his bitter per-
sonal enemy--as he was of so many others-and
many people imagined that Mr.. Blaine would
take advantage of his position to punish Mr..
ConklhS through his friends. But he did moth
ing OF the kind. The mission to France. the
6rst great prize of our foreign service, was
given either by his suggestion or with his hearty
concurrence to Mr. COnklings intimate friend
ana adherent. When the President in pursu-
ance OF his purpose adopted months before,
nominated Judge Robertson TOR Collector of the
Port of NewYOrk, Mr.. Blaines enemies pre-
tended to SEQ his hand in that act until the
President III the most formal way asserted that
the entire initiative and responsibility Of it
belonged to himself. In the warfare which Mr..
ConklIng began upon the President, as a conse-
quence OF that nomination, Mr.. Blaine did not
lit finger TO help or hinder the f ght which the
people OF New York were making III defence of
the President and his just prerogatives The
contrary was asserted, we know, by Il few recl<-
less organs, but they soon saw the absurdity of
the falsehood and allowed it TO drop into obliy-
ion. la the recent controversy among the
Virginia Republicans as to the eYpediency OF
helping Malone to break the Bourbon domino
ton in that State, Mr.. Blaine while making no
secret of his sympathy with the liberal and pro-
gresSive element which favors the free ballot
and the free school, so rigidly abstained from
eXerting any pressure upon those whom il was
thought he could influence, that each side com
planned bitterly either Of his inaction or of the
favor he v rs extending to the other IL is not
too much TO say that there has never been a
Secretary more severely devoted to the duties
of his Office and less inclined to exercise undue
influence III the domestic politics of the country
There are but two things left for his enemies
to say, and they are equally false. One is that
he Is intriguing for the nomination in 1884
Intrigue is hardly the word to use, in any case,
of the bol,lest and most Outspoken politician in
America. When he is a candidate, it needs no
telescope 10 make out his banner on the outer
wall, and his buele-bast requires no interpre-
ter. AT present he is simply tho trusted and
devoted right hand of the President, and there
IL no danger that any calumny or suspicion can
disturb that close and chivalrous friendship of
lifetime. The other story or prediction is
shown 10 be equally unfoundod THAT Mr.
Blaine, not content with the large sphere
offered in his own Department for usefulness
and activity, would attempt to NEEDLE and die
tate In other Departments, and thus show his
lack of adaptation for Cabinet harmony, and
his want OF cooperation IN projected reforms
MIR. Blaine's associates in the Cabinet have
borne witness to the groundlessncss of this
charge Tho testimony to the contrary il uni
foIm and most cordial, and from none more
than from those members who from prcyious
political afinities would not be ureiudiccd IN
Mr.. BlaincS favor. II ia not saving too much
to ailirm that to-day every member of the
Cabinet is Mr.. Blaine's warm Personal friend
and they all agree that the perfect harmony and
cordially evident in the conduct of the Admin
lstrahon result largely from the frank, consid-
crate and conciliatory course of the Secretary of
State.