Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-04-20
BLA1NE,s FRIENDS DESERVING HIM:
WtlI He Return to the House of Represent
GtfveS.
Washington Cor. N. Y. SUM-

Washington Cor. N. Y. SUM-.
The restless and consuming ambition
of James G. Blaine is not content in re-
tirement from public life, after con-
tinuous connection of nearly quarter of
century with the state legislature, with
the two houses of congress, and with the
cabinet. Aggressive by nature, he seeks
controversy. He enjoys the excitement
of dispute. The opportunity for activity
is limited in his present condition; the
public cares little for the angry utter
ances of disappointed politician who is
out of place and powerless.
Though successfully defeated at Gin
cinnati and &c Chicago, Mr.. Blame still
clings to the hope that he may compass
the nomination in 1884. Failing in
that. he proposes to head an independent
ticket. His deluded belief that this is
possible is founded on the purchased
support of few venal Democrats, who,
in selling themselves, have sold all
the influence they ever possessed IN their
party.
The managers and friends most
trusted and most eff ctlve in pressing his
nomination in 1876 and in 1880 have
practically abandoned MIR. Biaine's can
didecy for 1854 as hopeless. William
E. ChAadler, the chief of this class, has
gone overt.1 the administration, which
Blaine assails in aud out OF season. |
Chandler is avowedly for Arthur.
Senator Frye cut loose a year ago, when |
Blaine chung to the senatOrShlp TO the |
last hour and treated his friend as a con- |
venient satellite.
Senator Hale, though less affirmative
than Frye in taking position, IS known to
have given up Blaine as possible candl-
date. Mr.. Hale is persuaded that two
defeats have concluded all chance for
Blaine, and that no condition OF things is
likely to arise IN the next two years where
by he may overcome the prejudice caused
by those defeats.
In the West, Charles B. Farwell, the
Republican member from Chicago, who
was one of Blaine's most devoted follow
ers and most liberal hackers, has open
ly renounced his former allegiance The
reckless course of Blaine in the depart
ment of state alienated Farwell and
other Westerners from their old attach
ment.
Jerome B. Chaffee, ex-senator and ex
applicant for the interior department. is
now a stalwart. He stood foremost in
the confidence of Blaine, and was I
among the most earnest of his champions.
He has also withdrawn his support. He
is said to consider Blaine's career as a
for the White House ended.
These five persons were the main props
If Blaine's presidential aspirations. They
stood by him through evil report, and, in
he face of it, they nearly secured him
he nomination in 1876. Their zeal and
fidelity did not relax during the four 4
years that followed, throughout the can u
7ass which eliminated in the defeat of a
1880 at Chicago But now they have be-
come weary of these fruitiess efforts, and
ire convinced that further attempts to !
orce Mr.. Blaine on the party would be
attended with the old result. The attrac- =
ions of power and Of patronage have 5
veaned other from their Partially, so that t
he ex- secretary finds himself nearly de- t
erted by his "Old Guard" and not re- @
by new friends.
Mr.. Blaine watches with keen interest S
he returns from ali the elections, and
inds but little comfort in those recently
leld in the cast and the west. His pres y
mt plan is to return to the house Of /
representatives if there be fair opening
or success. He realizes now what a q
,IuLder he made when he quilted the P
,iace for which his peculiar talents were o
,est adapted, and where he won all the ;,
distinction that made him conspicuous in h
public life. Il
Maine is by no means sure Republi- e
an state. A revolt against Boss rule
md Blaine machinery has thrown 1t out :
# line during the last four years. Gar 4
ield had majority of 1850 against
.galnst 16,477 for Hayes in 1876. The
vents of the last year are not calculated
o increase the harmony in the party. ,
Blaine has lost his grip at home. Young
r men are asserting their independence
# his dictation and are setting up for
themselves. =
Since Blaine has sought quarrel with
he administration, it may be reasonably
the president and his friends
viii not be enthusiastic for the return of T
he ex-secretary to congress, whittier he t
would go with the intention Of making S
var on them and their policy. With all A
lis fertility of resources, and his ability a
o forward his own ambition, Mr.. Blaine e
will find the path to the house of repre-
entatives full of thorns. q