Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-10-12
Blaine and the Union League Gu

Blaine and the Union League Club.
1t is noticeable that comparatively few
Of the prominent men of the Republican
party are taking an active part in the
present campaign. Not more than halt a
dozen of the Republican Senators and less
than a score of the Republican Represen-
tatives have made themselves at all con-
spicuOus in support Of Blaine. Why is
this? Is it not because there is deep
seated belief in the minds Of very large
per cent. of the best element Of
the Republican party that it would
be better for the party to have Blame
defeated than elected! They think, per-
haps, that if Blaine should be elected
he would be the last President the Repub-
licans would ever elect. The worst ele-
ment of the party would have entire con-
troll Of the government, and its dangerous
tendencies would be so conspicuous that
the country would never again trust the
party with power. Blaine's defeat would
restore the better class of the party lead
ers "a power IN the party's councils, and
the party might still have a chance Of
winning the confidence Of the country
again.
1t is stated that Immediately after
Blaine's nomination an extraordinary
effort was made to get Senator Edmunds
to openly and frankly indOrse Blaine in
public speech. Senator Edmunds, how
ever, has steadily declined to give the
Presidential candidate of his party any
aid or comfort. To all appeals he has
steadily replied that he was out Of poll
tics this year.
The President and his Cabinet do not
appearto be taking any interest in the
canvass. Secretary Chandler is the only
member OF the administration whose
movements in politics have attracted any
! attention, and it is supposed that he is
working to have himself elected to the
Senate. Here and there prominent Re-
publican, like eX-Secretary of the State
Evarts, has spoken encouraging words
for Blaine, hut where one prominent Re-
publican has reached Blaine a helping
hand, a dozen can be named who have
not.
The most conspicuous snub that Blaine
has yet received, perhaps, was given him
by the Union League Club of New York
on Thursday night. This club is admit
ted to be about the most powerful pOlit-
ical organization of its kind in the coun-
try. An effort was made to get the club
to indorse Blaine. There are about 1000
members. Circulars were sent out to
those members who were thought to be
friendly to Blaine, announcing the meet
ing which took place Thursday night. Not
quite 500 members were present. Mr..
Evarts read an elaborate address eulO-
giving the protective tariff and the Presi-
Dental candidates of the Republican par
ty. When the vote was taken on the
adoption Of the address between 80 and 40
per cent. of those present voted in the
negative.
Is not the feeling in the Union League
Club pretty good evidence of the feeling
towards Blaine in the Republican party
throughout the country? 1t is safe to
assume that thousands of Republicans in
almost every State will not vote for
Blaine, and there are other thousands
who would not vote for him if, in any
other way, they could save their party
from defeat. He is believed to be
thoroughly corrupt and unprincipled man.
The wonder is that the hostility within
his own party is not greater than it is.