The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-05-10
a ProvIdentiaI Escape.

indianapolis Republican journalism, and
the same may truthfully be said of Western
Republican journalism in general, gathers
large amount of its political inspiration
from the New York Times. That paper, in
a recent article, which we give in full below
pronounces Mr.. Blaine about the most dan
gerOus man that could hare been placed IN
charge Of the foreign relations Of the GOUern-
ment" This is undoubtedly true, and. we
commend the opinion and the entire article
to the careful consideration of a brood of
Republicans and Republican newspapers,
some of whom and which have their being
in this city. The Times article says:
Nobody is WILLING to regard the tragic Interrupt
ton of the Administration of President Garfield
as anything but a National calamity, and yet in
the light of the admissions made by his Secretary
of State ii is almost appalling to reflect upon the
possible consequences of the vigorous foreign
policy which was inaugurated under its nominal
sanction. Mr.. Blaine insists that the President
cognizant of all his plans and purposes in
dealing with foreign questions and that his
action had Mr.. Garfeld's sympathy and APP
prevail II this Is so, II is more than doubt
drift and the almost inevitable results of
the course that the State Department. was
pursuing and il is certain that some OF the deeper
purposes of the head of the Cabinet were beyond
his ken. The President was one OF the most patri-
Otto of men, and ne no doubt intended to exercise
the utmost prudence in directing the policy of his
Administration; but he was a c0ntiding man, and
to Mr.. Blaine he seems to have given his fullest
confidence This is the more remarkable as the
Secretary was known to be daring and impetu-
Gus politician rather than cautious and discreet
statesman upon whose judgment implicit reliance
could be placed. He was, In fact. about the most
dangerous man that could have been put in
charge of the foreign relations Of the Govern
ment.
1t is not necessary 70 impeach Mr.. Blaine's per-
sonal integrity, as that quality is understood by
men of his stamp, in concluding that he was
bent upon trouble with foreign Nations. We may
aequit him, even. OF any conscious purpose of
involving the country in serious difficulty, but
that his course II boldly pursued Is il was begun,
would have produced that result is as clear as the
MONDAY sun.
Mr. Blaine was ambitious for a brilliant Admin
istration in which he should be the chief figure,
and professionally he looked beyond IL to
other Of which he should be the real head He
thought to rouse the pride and enthusiasm of the
American people by asserting the influence and
power OF the Nation on this continent IL was
wi IN this view that he sought to interpose in the
South America conflict and bring about peace
between Chill and Peru. peace in which the
United States should be the mediator and which
should leave it with paramount influence with
both Republics. IL is hardly conceivable that he
had any sordid aims connected with the profits of
guano and the nitrate of soda. The Landreau
claim, as he says, but lily on the wheel" of
the chariot OF American policy. 1t was with the
same view that he warned all foreign Nations
from the American Isthmus. and sought the alb
r0gatiOn of the main features OF the treaty which
gave Great Britain voice in the control Of inter
oceanic transit. He had the same thing In mind