The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-06-11

whose skill and iron resolution 1t was I'M
possible to prevail. At the third trial the
tide of his popularity encountered an op.
position without effective leadership and
without cohesion, and knocked it to pieces
like lumber raft by the ocean pillows.
That Mr.. Blaine is the choice of the rep
resentatives of the distinctively republi-
can states, the records of the national con-
vention show. This is undoubtedly a
matter of felicitation to Mr.. Blaine him
self. 1t is certainly great personal tri-
umph--a temporary triumph at least.
Whether it shall prove to be a permanent
triumph will depend upon the action Of
all the voters, not only in the strong re-
publican states, but in the close and
doubtful states also. If there were rea-
sonable assurance that he is thus strong,
| the nomination could not be challenged
on the score of availability. If there
were reasonable doubt as to his strength
in the wavering states, however strong he
might be elsewhere, and in the face of
this doubt his nomination was forced
upon the convention by blind partisan
ship, it was a very injudicious thing to do
and iucurs risk that the temporary per-
sonal triumph in party convention may
be turned into defeat in national elec-
ton. The claim 80 obstreperously set up
that the candidate is " the peoples choice |"
will be determined by majority, one
party to which is not present in a nomi.
mating convention but which cannot be
left out of the account in making a noni-
nation. Between nominating and elect
ing a candidate there is sometimes a
worldwide difference. 1t is the part of
real wisdom to choose the man who is
most sure to receive the majority of all
the votes, even though that man may not
be party idol. The principles of great
party and all the vital interests with
which that party is freighted, are of vastly
greater consequence than the qualification
of personal ambition or the exculpation
of personal character.
That Mr.. Blaine will carry the Pacific
slope chiefly by reason of his un-Ameri-
can opposition to Chinese immigration is
quite certain, if the very confident assur-
ances of California republicans can be
accepted in all their native strength and
freshness. That he will carry the repub-
lican West which has invariably been re-
publican, is probably true. His candi-
dacy may encounter an ugly obstacle in
Indiana, and possibly Ohio may become
the object of some solicitude. Time and
circumstances will tell. No argument,
no reason, no considerations of serious
character, will cool the Blaine fever in the
veins of the " Great West.' The cam
paign there will be a prairie fire. How
will it be in the East? That the vote of
New York, whichever way it shall be cast,
will be decisive of the issue, has been the
one conceded fact by democrats and re-
publicans. That the independent voters
in New York carry the political destinies
of the state in their hands is matter
of experimental knowledge. That Mr..
Blaiue's candidacy was most unaccepta-
bic to this element was made very plain
in the canvass for the election of dele
gates. Without considering other sources
of danger which are of no small magni-
tude, it must be admitted that the light
of the candidates very brilliant prospects
in the West is thrown against very
sombre outlook in the "pivotal state"
The belligerent attitude of the New York
press, secular and religious, is not exactly
sign of hope and triumph. Events have
made Massachusetts doubtful state, and
the outlook there and in Conn ecticut is
hardly more reassuring than in New York.
The promised acquisition of the Pacific
slope, about which there was so m UGH ado
at Chicago, with its seventeen electoral
votes, is poor offset against the possible
loss of New York, with its thirty-six votes.
Judge Vests bravado about carrying the
country without the vote of the Empire
State when reduced to figures, when the
chances in other eastern states are con-
sidered, and when the prospects of solid
South are remembered, has very much the
semblance of oratorical buster.
Against the hazards in the East which
the republicans have taken in making
this nomination is the reliance which has
never failed the party, chance of demo
cratic blunder. Will the democracy again
come to the rescue of imperiled republi.
cans? Will the republican mistake at
Chicago in June be neutraliz ed by a
greater democratic mistake at the same
place in July2 They have often had
golden opportunities, but have been too
stupid to improve them. Time and sad
experience may have taught them wis
dom. We shall see. The republicans, it
is certain, had chance to succ eed, un.
clouded by doubt. They have pas
sionately thrown it away. They have
made the first great mistake in the history
of the party. They have taken an un'