Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-01-04
MAINE REPUBLICANS.
Theif Opiuion of MIR. 1lainc.-The Ex.
Secretnry's Pans.
IT. D. Root, in New York Times.I

IT. d. Root, in New York Times.l
AUGUSTA, Dec. Give were sitting be-
fore one of those great Gre-places which are
still to be found in Northern New England,
and my companion although full old politician
had been telling stories about the Hon. James
g. Blaine.
MY friend" said he, with keen glance
from under his shaggy eyebrows, Blaine
has been a magnct and now he is irving to
be a sphinx; hut | think l know his game.
lis would have us believe that he is not a
candidate: but was ever II man known to
recover after having been sick with the
Presidential fever? And does any one who
knows Blaine believe thpt he can throw
away ambition? No, sir he is candidate,
and he will be until he shall cease to be the
Jim Blame whom we have known; but he
| does not expect nomination in the year OF
grace 1884, nor does he think that be could
| be elected if he should be nominated. lie
would like, however to be secretary OF State
again. Blaine thinks that, 50 far as his
career in the State department was concern
ed, he was cut Off in his prime. He feels
that his mission is not completed that the
American Jingo' policy has not had
fair chance, aud that no one but
himself can carry out the projects
|
and make that grand display of diplomatic
pyrotechnics for which he had furnished
powder and matches. Are not some OF
| Blaine's warmest friends how talking about
| 1en. Sherman Haven't You heard that
| some of the associates of Chandler are quiet
| ~ working for Sherman? Is it not asserted
by men vino ought to know that Blaine, with
his pledged or unpledgcd delegations, is al
ally of Logan? Blaine knows he can't he
either nominated Or elected, and his friends
and the Office holders know that the same is
true of Arthur. | have reason to believe, Sir,
that Blaine and his delegates will support
either Sherman or Logan and that III cithel
of thee men should lie successful Blaine
wonld be Secretary of State
Let us see what Mr.. B4ne's friends an
followers in the State say. Those who ar
nearest to him Insist upon it that lie is ont o
poitlcs, and that he has no desire To CONT
in again. Others WHO would support him /
called upon to do SO seem 10 be IN dOub
ahon' his real attitude, and admit that tn
party would suffer it he should he nominated
or wen vigorously pushed as q candidate b.
fore the convention.
There are a very few men in Maibc VIII
hold thut IN one or two districts Mr.. Balm
, could not get delegates even ii he should de
clare himself candidate and ask for them
| ntsC men are lllsldhc0. NslWlll4S'duOlll
the opposition which he must encsuner i
the western part of the State, the entire dele
CATION will undoubtedly support him, If h
I asks for support, and will therefore Il
S guided in great measure by lis advice an
i desires, if he should positively refuse I
stand. He has many ardent advocates i
the party; there are other Republicans VIII
d., think it would be unwise to nominate hin
but these Will fall into line if i, shall appci
y that he wants the vigorous support OF b
C STATE.
h But how is il that this brilliant and "a
f traclive man, who has been and Is so prom
. inrnt a figure in American politics, and Yl
i is called by his admirers the Henry Clay
II his time, has foes i'll his own party in h
l. STATE? Mr.. Ednunds seems Ia have l
.r enemies among the Republicans of Vernon
~ but there are many thoughtful Republica
- in Maine who can never he induced to ca
, daily support Mr.. Blaine. The truth
i that while all Vermont Republicans r,ga
y Mr. Edmunds rs man Of strict integri
y many Maine men think that Mr.. Blaine is
- trckster.
:, Maine is Republican State, and il "
=, continue 10 be SO. That assertion is mad
J not only upon The authority Of o
of the leaders OF the DemocT
tic party, but als) upon tho authority
y Republicans who thoroughly understand I
political condition of the State Robe "
elected by a majority of about 5000 in lse
C He will be renOminated, it said by the
who ought to know, aud will be re-elsct
H. by lsrgr majority.