Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-02-14
From the Providence (R. ~ Press.
THE ATTEMPT TO KILL OFF
BLAINE.

omit Gen. Grant, no other man has
persona, following which can compare in
numbers or influence with that which
stands ready to enter the next national
canvass in behalf of the late secretary OF
state with all that spirit and enthusiasm
which they showed in 1880. Indeed, 1t
is doubtful if che stalwart leaders have
vet decided to tie their political fortunes
again to Gen. Grant. They are much
more likely to present the name OF Pres
ident Arthur for reelection, or to select
some man of comparatively little proml-
nence or political record as their stand
ard bearer in 1884. Mr.. Blalne's popu-
lmity is a constant menace TO stalwart-
ISM. and as candidate for the next
presidential nomination, he is now more
feared by them than any other. These
facts should never be forgotten when we
read the news from Washington IN re-
gard to the controversy between Mr..
Blaine and the administration over the
policy Of the United GATES in South
America. The stalwarts have set before
themselves the task of killing OFT Mr..
Blaine as presidential candidate. That
and that alone gives to the correspond.
ence which has recently been published
the exceptional importance which 1t
has.
We have refrained ftom much COM
ment on the Chill Peru imsroglio because
we have believed that not, 1stil recently,
has enough information been gwen TO
the public about it to warrant us Ia pass
ing Judgment upon it. We have known
that the late Gen. Fitzpatrick, our Minis
ter TO Chill, and Mr.. Hurlbut, our repre-
sentative in Peru, had both been acting
very injudiciously; that a quarrel arose
between them. and that each wrote and
said things which the administration
would have to disclaim.; We knew that
Chill had not only conquered Peru, -nt
had destroyed its governmcnt,-alLa0f
blotted it out Of political existence.
Calderon was recognized as president OF
Peru by the United States, and then Chill
arrested him and held him in confne-
ment in a way ard under circumstances
that made it appear that it was an act
of intentional insult to this country. We
know that, mixed up with the other
complications, were claims against the
Peruvian government that had grown
with a rapidity compared with which
Jacks bean stalk was century plant,
and that the owners OF them were clam
oring for the diplomatic interference OF
the United States in their behalf and
we know that out of Mr.. Blaine's refusal
to do what he was requested TO do, and
hi. severe reprimands for their, TO say
the least, questionable proceedings, he
had gained the enmi,y OF these clam
ants.
But it was only about week ago
that we had any anything more than the
v.guest rumors in regard to Mr.. Blame 5
enyoys, Messrs. Prescott and Walker
Blaine. and then they were published by
the administration simply as prelude 10
the announcement those instructions had
been reversed, and that the President,
by whose authority those instructions had
been given, had faced about, apologlzed
70 Chill and given the government OF
that country an assurance that she might
90 on and do what she pleased with
Peru and that the United States would
ONLY stand ready to render its good offices
il Chill asked for them in order to give
sores and character to her cruel terms.
Now it may be that 1t is none oil our
busines, how much the South American
! ,publics fight with each other. The
,.;. -. -ious state may blot its rival from
W. w., man destroy its commerce, seize
unon il, re hest possessions and apPIo,
n nfh It, onlv source of revenue and
ina me. look On as passive spectators
This tn has been the policy of the govern,
ment heretofore, and P 'ooaO'y w. W." pIo;re
the immediate future. Tut M. i Dian,
thought differently. VIII. u ..I ', ,ho;r
bows quarrel and conclude to S s'.ie .ns'i
differences by fight, those Wv S'" ao'
about and witness the struggle az -,
customed to interfere, when one OF tne
other has been badly punn.aed' anu uS
eide that he has been poundf2 EMS =
even though he may not pe WIS - y,
DIVE ND. This was not exactly ma
Mr.. Blaine proposed to do IN SOW, =,
America, but his policy was not IKE INA ).
of the present administration since J
faced about of standing back and say
in, 70 the victor You have got your
,ntagon; st down and rendered him he'p,
i .. for E, -ther resistance; now POuhu
hi to your he.' IT'S content :, we Will n0'
inter. ERE unless yol. a'A 10 w. =,
But it is not the gu '''i s9a. Wh'' ssre 70
not Chill shall impose ii snnroyal
terms W ron Peru, with our tai cpuntr,
that interests the people of this of tn,
most just now. 1t is the opening ar,
presidential contest for 1884 that we ,
now witnessing. If the stalwart states
men and newspapers can make the coun-
Try, or a majority of the Republican
pa. .ty, believe that Mr.. Blaine is dan
eerot,s man to have at the head Of affairs;
that he would be likely to lead US into
war with England or with the republics
which lie south of US, they may defeat
him in the next Republican national con-
yention. FOR our part we have admired
the aggressi We policy of the late secretary
of state. his diplomatic papers have in
them an inspi ring ring. Mr.. Blaine be-
lieves in expr .ssing himself, whether in
speech or in a state paper, in language
H., oannot he misunderstood. A few