West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1882-03-31
THE PoLIrICAL CRIsIS.

moralization OF the Republican Party
as taken IRON view of politica
matters as they now appear in Wash
ingtOn. Lac says:
There is profound unrest and visi-
ole Generalization in the Republi-
can ranks. They know what is CON
ing aud they can DO little TO temper
the disaster. The dividing line be-
tween the Arthur and the Blaine
wings Of the party is yet kept as
much out o. public view as possible
but it is plainly visible to ell in Con-
gress and IN prominent political po-
sition in Washington, and it would
be relief to both sides to have the
inevitable issue positively assert it
self The leaders hesitate to precip-
itste the war, but none mistake it's
early coming. II may come any day
by a single Presidential nomination
or 1t may gradually wear down the
feeble coil that holds the factions in
apparent unity until slow demoral'Z-
alton saps iae vitality of the party
organization aud brings it to disso-
luton without any OF the violent
ihroes which marked the death ef
Tylerism, Filmorelsm or Johnsonisu.
That Arthurism is 20 share the same
destiny of all TIE previous Presidep-
tiaJ accidencirs no Intelligent and
unbiased observer of political events
can doub'; out thers may be mate
rial variations in the chapter Of his.
tory that tells the story OF the de-
cline and fan Of Arlhur's rule when
compared with the decline and fall ol
Ty.er, Flll more aud Johnson,
The absolute, irrecouoilable es.
arrangement between the ueW Presi-
dent and the overwhelming party
following Of Gan field Was even wider
and with q more impossible gulf be-
tween them when Arthur succeeded
Garfield than was presented by the
Wing factions under Tyler aud Fill
more and the Republican factions
under Job nson, and there ia no like
lihood that there can be any healing
OF the breach during Arlhur's al
miuistration. Ga the contrary, the
purpose cl the friends OF Arthur is
clearly exhibited to make the war
battle to the death, as is now appar-
ent to all in THO rtudiel and hreless
effort to destroy the lame OF Garfield.
Balnes oration did not provoke but
simply precipit4ted the imp!acable
war upon Garfield 9 memory that was
inevitable, and the fretting sores
which now barass the leaders will
s]on extend TO ile entire rank and
lie Of the party.
There are two great lions 10 the
StaIwdrt fsth-tbe dead Garneld
and the living Blaine. The Memory
of Garfield could be successfully
clouded with the party organs and
party machinery, but 5laipe is q stall
wsrt foe before whom the bravest
Stsl warts cover, and he is as w,ly as
he is brave and powerful. He dimes
with Arthur aud Arthur dimes with
him. but neither 10 deceived by the
other. Both know that soon at the
latsst they must lock horns for a
struggle from which both cannot
emerge with political life, and Ar
thur, with all his patronage and Or
gans and machinery, trembles when
he contemplstes the conflict.
It is Blaine that Arthur fears, and
It is the feer Of Blaine that makes the
hitherto bold an c1niessedly saga =
cious Arthur take his steps With a
degree Of caution that is freely con -
demned as cowardics. Blaine has
no lines to retreat in his strategy
He cannot force the battle, for it must
come from Arthur, but when it does
come, as come it must, be will vel
come it. He is ready now; he bs'
been ready since the day Garfield
died, and he will wait patiently tb,
Stalwart aasa uit that must come il
time snd tina, NAV come any day
aud when it does come Blaine will b.
to Arthur administration what Clay
was TO 4 TJler's what Douglass was Il
Buchanau's, and what Stevens was t.
, Johnsons. II may or may not max
Blaine President, but it will leuv
Arthut's administration q hopeles
d wreck. Blaine is the confessed rep
resentative Of the policy OF The lat
President Garfield and the issue a
accepted by the nation is direc
issue between a better Repubica
d rule aud a combination Of spoiismer
Such an issue, with Blsine's matlh