Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-18
Arthur and Blaine.

The Hon. Chester A. Arthur, by the
Grace of Guiteau's bullet, twenty first
President of these United States, wants
to succeed himself. He thinks that the
support of the Southern delegates in the
next Republican National Convention
would help him out wonderfully. He
proposes to have this support, and is be-
slowing his patronage in this section
to that end. He is combining the frag-
ments of the opposition to Democracy
into an organized party, branded 'Inde'
pendentism."
If his experiment is measurably sue
cessful at the coming elections, he will
count on a multiplication of malcontents
that will swell his party. But whatever
be its strength, he will endeavor to hold
it together till it can send delegates to
support him for denomination.
In the cry of the leaders of Indepen-
dentism the whole story is told-"We
are for Arthur because Arthur is for us. 3"
From Maryland to Texas the Fed
eral officeholders and ofice-hunters
are solid in his support. Arthur
is a practical politician of the first order.
This, of course, makes him jealous
advocate of "a free ballot and fair
count" But his zeal in this direction is
quickened by the profits likely to accrue
to him by the solidiication of the lately
disiointed elements of Radicalism in the
South. His omission of the burning
Southern question" from his message was
skillfully planned. 1t served notice that
he was going to build up personal fol-
lowing in the South, and he has made
his word good.
There are numerous eminent Radicals
that would be happy to succeed Mr..
Arthur, but chief among them is Blaine.
Blaine is a perennial candidate for the
Presidency. He has missed it twice, but
is resolved to try again. He, too, is
persuaded that support from the South
is worth securing, and as Arthur offers
offices he can only appeal to
the principles of Southern Repub-
licans. Accordingly he is engineering
the straightout Radical revolts. His
main experiment is being made in Vir.
ginia Upon its progress he is looking
with lively interest. If it turns out
well, he will be nerved to greater work.
If it fails, his tireless ambition will lead
him to new expedients. One thing is
certain, Blaine deems, and deems justly,
that he deserves we'll of his party. He
proposes to reach the White House, and
if he fails to reach it with his party's
consent, he would surprise few if he
sought the Presidency by other means.
That he is capable of heading a new
party few doubt, and that he has given
the support Of new party thought may
fairly be presumed. He has advanced
considerably in the direction of civil ser
vice reform. The "spoils," though he
has shared in them, have been his bane,
and if he is fOiled again, his failure will
be due to the machine" There is go
ing to be lively time on the Republican
side of the political arena, and the cen
trail figures will be Arthur and Blaine.
Arthur's executive ability as pOliti-
clan is conspicuous. Blaine's is less so,
but the latter has inventive powers that
have stood him in need The political
break up will come from the North. 1t
will hurt one side of the Radical house
hold, but Blaine and his friends will
probably get safely out of doors when
the crash comes.