National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-05-24
Tho Arthur Reaction.

One Of tho most significant political signs
of the times is tho change in front that is
going on in newspapordom. Six weeks ago
il was assumed, OH tho absurd claims Of tho
New York Tribune, Philadelphia Press and
q line of papers which take their cues from
these journals, that Mr.. Blaine was going
to DO tho almost unanimous choice of tho
national convention. Before tho delegates
were elected, aud before it WAS known who
the delegates would be for, they were put
down az solid for Blaine, and a
great majority of tho editors of
newspapers assumed this to DO true aud said
so. Convention after convention mot, elected
delegates, and passed resolutions indorsing
the administration of President Arthur, but
from some cause not plain. to the Blaine
organs they forgot to instruct for the gentle
man from Maine. Everything was claimed
for him, however, and it looked as though
the national convention would have nothing
to do except to meet and make tho nominal
ton unanimous.
A great light has brokon upon the country
lately. There has been an awakening. Tho
gas has boon let out Of tho Blaine balloon,
and tho brag and bluster Of the campaign in
his behalf has boon thoroughly ventilated,
One by ono tho prcnosterous claims made for
him by his friends have fallen to tho ground
The press of the country may DO led into
error but it is honest in the main, and tries
to do about the right thing. A month ago
it was led astrny, but it is rapidly getting
back into the right path. month ago it
honestly believed that President Arthur
tho Blaine movement 1t now knows that Mr..
Blaino cannot be nominated; that a majority
of the delegates are for the p resident, and
that in all human probability he will be
nominated, and it is frank enough to say so,
and to confess that it was led into an error Of
Judgment and misstatement Of facts in tho
first place 1t is hastoning to make amends,
and the columns of thousands of republican
newspapers testify to tho genuinenoss of the
conversion.
Tho President is acknowledged to be tho
strong man of his party to-day, and the
necessity of making him tho standard
bearer in tho presidential campaign is be-
coming more clearly manifest as timo grows
older and the Sd Of Juno comes nearer. The
full force of tho reaction that SGT in toward
tho President q month ago is felt to tho 70 :
hottest parts of tho country. 1t is shown in
tho honest efforts of true, mon to do justice
to an upright and conscientious servant of
the people.
Tho Presidents record for three years is in
itself enough to silence tho tongue of SANDER.
1t proves him to be entirely worthy the con-
fdcnce that is roposed in him by the people.
There is solid foundation for his popularity.
Ills record in the white house is "a guarantee
of what he will do in tho future. Confidence
is a plant of slow growth, but whom its roots
are firmly embedded in tho great heart of tho
nation IL cannot DO shaken or torn out.
Many were tardy to tho point of reluctance
III recognizing tho worth of tho President,
but they know him now for what he is, and
thoy honor him for his patience, his integrity
and his manhood.