New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-03
At CHICdGO,

1eSterOay AT CnCdEO was u usly ol uotdli' IL
was perplexing, because of the conflicting per-
sOnal ambitions and interests that influence the
selection of officers and committees OF
the convention. But it does not change
the prospect. 1t still appeals that Mr..
Blaine is clearly and largely in the
| lead. His forces thus far show superior
organization and management. as well as an
| over mastering and contagious enthusiasm.
| Of all the candidates he alone still appears to
be making definite gains.
There are no signs as yet of any possible con
centrahon on dark horse" Nor is there
abatement of the feeling that the wishes and
the Judgment OF the Republican voters, and
particularly of the Republican voters in the
pivotal States ought to have great
weight. To this feeling is due the
important accession of Mr. Mckinley, of Ohio.
His support of Mr.. Blaine will be the more
effective because the result of carefully matured
and deliberate Judgment, and his ability and
thorough earnestness will give his advice weight
with other delegates.
The same potent cause has produced the
growing disposition among Southern delegates
to support Mr.. Blaine. That Democrats should
attribute every change of position in
or patronage, or other corrupting
influence, was to be expected. Perhaps it was
to be expected also that those so-called Repub-
Leans, who have tried to make the campaign
one of SANDER hitherto, should now make
haste to dishOnOr the party which
they profess to support. But the
truth is that there are many staunch
and Iearnest and heroic Republicans at
l. Y I
but TO whom Republicanism may be a matter
of life or death. No other Republicans can
have deeper or Mole intense interest i'll
the success of the party than such men. 1t is
most natural that they should be greatly inilu-
enced by the declarations of delegates from the
States that must decide the contest. When
most of them avOw their belief that Mr.. Blaine
is not only the choice of the people, but the
strongest candidate that can be named, it would
be strange if their Judgment should not have
weight. :
1t was in recognition of the Southern
Republicans that ex-senator Clayton was
selected yesterday as temporary chairman
of the Convention. The selection was
asked, as a matter of justice to the
Southern Republicans. by an Arthur office
holder from the South, and seconded bya Sher-
man member from the South, and the vote
shows that friends of several candidates
were governed by the same feeling iii
their choice. Other preliminary work, as dis
patches show, has progressed satisfactorily to
the friends of Mr.. Blaine, who feel that they
have great reason to be hopeful.
At distance, it seems improbable that the
supporters Of either of the leading candidates
can now be transferred to anybody else,
without such break as to insure the nomi-
nation of the candidate whose friends
stand firm. In this belief, apparently, friends
of Mr.. Blaine seek no support that will not come
to stay. The situation suggests the remark of
an experienced General, that in all his battles
he had never seen bayonets actually crossed.
If either of the principal forces at Chicago has
the resolution to advance with steady front and
unfaltering tread the chances are that the other
will waver and break, and the break is apt TO
mean victory to those whose purpose does not
WaYer.