Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-09-21
Mr.. Blaine, Gen. Butler, and the
Republican Party.

Republican Party.
4 short time ago the democratic press and
that portion of the republican press inimical
to the interests OF Mr.. Blaine let slip upon
the country the increduious story that he had
predicted the reelection Of Butler as Gov
ernor of Massachusetts and his election to
the Presidency of the United States next
year.
As an old friend of the ''Plumed Knight"
/ didn't believe he ever even intimated his
belief in such calamity not alone from the
fact that he is a true and tried republican,
but because he had no sympathy for d-ma-
gogue like Ben Butler, who has stradiled nj.
most every fence. hedged on all sides of
all public questions, and been
nearly everything politically that one
could be. Certainly, for man of
Mr.. Blaines shrewdness and sagacity to have
declared his faith in such political mon
strosity, would have been good evidence that
he had been bereft of his known powers of
estimating the moral force and manhood of
the voters of this country and the undisguised
betrayal of Il confidence in Butler and SYM
pahy for the democratic party that no per
son in his right mind believes he ever enter
tanned
But am exceedingly gratifed that an in
terview of September 18th. has set Mr..
Blaine right He then said what the whole
country can readily believe he did say, VIZ
That Mr.. Butler couldn't be reelected Gov
ernor of Massachusetts,, and, furthermore
(Which sentiment has the true Blaine ring in
it), he has the fullest confidence in a repub-
lican President being chosen next year, be
cause the republican party would be found
stronger in the elections of 1883 than they
were in either 1875 or 1879
Mr.. Blaine in all his intercourse with mol.
iticians and during his brilliant public career
as one OF the most marked and criticised men
our country has ever produced. as well As
one Of the ablest, has never been charged
with being in sympathy with democracy
either directly or indirectly, and this lame
attempt on the part of his enemies at this
late day. to give his great name and influence
such eoloring, must tall to the ground Il
will be as unnroductve and ahortivc in its
effects to inlure him as have been precious
persistent efforts on their part He isn't to
be caught by such clap-trap. nor can
the bounding and detective system
which his opponents have reenilesslv
pursued him with, almost from the
very hour that he first entered political life.
drive him from earnestly supporting the par
~ and principles of his first choice Cheated
out of his nomination for the Pres.den
twice. not BY thu republican masses whose
undoubted choice he was, but By scheming
tricky politicians, he huckled on his armor
and entered the exciting canvas of both po-
litical campaigns. and il is the attestiug voice
pf no nf hat. h.,
magnetic speeches and everyday earnest
efforts, more than those OF any other man.
saved the the party from defeat in those two
memorable struggles for party supremacy.
Many men who have been called grand and
great, and patriotic, by warm partisan admirers
would have flinched and hesitated before tax
ing the field in valiant. knightly support of
the men who twice refused in convention TO
ratify the plain, uumistakable wishes of the
great majority of their party. But. loving
principle better than self ACKNOWLEDGEMENT or
interests, having malice towards no man. he
entered the contests, stripped of all prejudice
and soreness, and weights of envy that will
down" any man, determined TO bring victory
to his party. The great New York statesman
who resigned his seat in the United States
Senate because he could not coerce a Presi
dent and Cabinet, would have seen the party
''go to the dogs" under similar circumstances
Now am one of hundreds of thousands
who never voted anything nut the re-
publican ticket since the party came into
existence, who believe that Hon James
G. Blaine would make President of whom
every American might feel proud Tie would
make an Executive who would contend for
the rights of American citizens everywhere
and under whose administration the humblesi
subject of this grand government would feel
like king in any foreign country. To my
mind he is the most popular man in America
to-day. He has had more TO do with men and
things, has a wider range of experience, and
more practical good sense, than most public
men, has fought more battles political and
otherwise, aud gained more and warmer per
sonal friends, probably, than any man living
all of which it'll his versatility of tai
ent and grand social qualities, and
big heart must make HIM
tower of strength in the political affairs o.
this nation. He should be the next national
standard bearer of the party he has so hon
ored and faithfully represented. and if he were
to be, there could be no reasonable doubts of
his enthusiastic and triumphant election, but
as he peremptorily declines to be candidate
for such distinguished honor. let no farther
attempts be made To misrepresent him by the
protested republican press of the country, for
however bright our prospects now, the proph-
ecies, kood words, and influence of Just such
men may be needed to make success certain
IN the Presidential struggle of next year.
REPUBLICAN,.
Washington. d. c.. Sept. Il, 1883.