National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-02-11
A Prediction that Blaine VIII BE
Cleared"

Cleared"
There Is sense as we'll sport in the sketch which
Washington correspondent sends us of the Wild
goose chase on which the much massacred Blaine
is now leading his enemIes.-NGtV York World.
Why certainly. That correspondent of
yours lisa hilarious fellow. In his Sketch"
referred to as being so replete with sense
and sport he says:
speak by the card when / say that Blaine in
talking to his intimate friends scarcely restrain
his glee at the headong speed with which his
enemies tearing off across country on the red
herring scent" of that colossal humbug, shiphcrd
and his Peruvian Company. Let me now put on
record my prediction that when the bottom of this
mystery is reached twill be found that the whole
fabric of Shepherds portentous and mysterious
claims to an alliance with the State Department
rests upon the basis of single conversation held
by him with Blaine, at Blaines residence in this
city. Shipherd had previously commune
Gated some opinions of the Cochet and LandreNu
claims which he had got to President Garfield,
who had responded to him. AFTER his usual fashion
| In such cases. In words of honey and butter which
shipherd of course took as the substantial basis OF
an impending policy Blaine received mis- visit
ors-for Blaine and Shipherd were not alone
with all his we'll known sweetness and light He
gave up the evening to them, denying himself to
heaven. lie beamed all over the next morning
when he eonhdcd to friend in this city the stu
pendous fact that during the evening three Fed
cral judges and the two Senators from Nebraska
called upon the Secretary, but were refused ad-
mittance, the colored Cerberus being directed by
| the Secretary TO tell all corners that he twas
| closeted on business Of the greatest importance
| and could not be disturbed" When friend
| OF mine, high In the Democratic counsels
| who had heard of this interview day or two af-
ter, asked Blaine what the deuce It all meant
Blaine told him that. "Shipherd was an ass
and the thing wouldn't hold water, but
that 1t might be useful in bringing Chill
and the English to their senses about the dismem-
bermcut of Peru, If they could be made TO under
stand that they must take any Peruvian territory
which they took saddled with an enormou,
American claim. There Is not the slightest reason
to believe that Blaine will be found to have haG
any interest whatever in any form in this Peru
Wan Company at any time. Possibly Il GaraaC
had tired ana events had given some form ant
substance to the business, Blaine might have gonC
into It financially. As things were, It was a huge
soap bubble, and Blaine is not fond of soap in tina
form. Naturally, therefore, Blaine eXults wheI
he sees his enemies setting all the machinery o
the Government at work to extract sunbeam
from oucumbers to his disadvantage They vii
have their trouble for their pains. He will b,
trlumphantly cleared and the reaction of popula
sentiment will go far to make him disagreeabl!
dangerous to OsplrRnts in both parties aiter tn
succession in 1884.
What Larks! Was ever anything 81
funny? The World has already "cleared
the defendant, Mr. Gould and his editor
are shrewd fellows,