Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-06-01
DAILY POST. lNIELuGEMCtR.
FACTIOUs OPPOSITION.

viav and scaDninQ every SIDE OF tne
nroros;,ion. and after ell are forced to
.bs conclusion that the claim OF the 50
called independents from New YORK and
elsewhere 10 dictate TO the Republican
Convention its nominee for Presldent 10
an assump,ion unwarrsnted, intoiera
bic and which should not be allowed 70
control or influence To material de-
gree the action Of the convention.
These men who thus seek to compel
that large portion of the Republican
party which has already expressed ITSELF
in favor of one Of the three or four
most prominent candidates for the nom
instion, 10 foreeo its right Of choice
and submit TO their dictation are neither
Republicans nor Democrats. They al
tsrnate between the two parties, a.
sums Pharisaical robes, declare them
selves better judges of the htnsss OF
the candidates than the great mass OF
the people and finally add to this IL am
boiler than you" assumption the threat
that IL their demands are not complied
with, il q popular favorite 10 nomin-
sted, il the public Ii for once given
ohaucs to sustain its choice by its votes,
they. these independents, will bolt the
ticket and defeat the candidate OF the
party. They have done 30 in several
instances in local and State elections,
notably in New York two years ago, aud
now assume to dictate Presidential
nominee.
Why should this coterie OF Assumed
pojitical purists, this mutual admiration
society, with even their seif-consti-
tated leader, the New York Times, be
better fitted TO judge Of the capacity,
integrity and fitness Of Republican
candidate than that great plurality Of
the party, amounting almost to ma
iority, who are enthusiastically de-
mauding the nomination OF James T..
Blaine Why should their opinion as
to the eligibility of candidate be SO
perior to the judgment of that large
number of Republicans who favor the
retention of Mr.. Arthur in the Presi-
Dental office Why should they be
better judges than the men whose first
choice for President Ia Edmunds, or
Logan, or Sherman The friends of
any of the statesmen we have named
ontnumber largely oil the so-cailed Fin
dependents" in New York, or in the whole
country for that matter. Are they not
Just as capable OF choosing. and chocs-
ing wisely, as this clique who cit on self
erected pedcstais and assume superior
political virtue and aoumen
The New York Times declares that II
q certain candidate is nominated il will
be compelled to watch the contest as
from afar, without rendering any aid
in the election of the nominee. A more
undienifed, illogical and indefensible
position can hardly be conceived. Sup
pose il should occur--as now seems not
unlikely-that Mr.. Blaine receives the
nomination of his party for President.
II the Times doesn't like the nominee,
II in it, super-elean and white
washed goodness, 10 cannot strain its
conscience to support him, what Is Its
duty Certainly not TO sit perohed on
apole and oroak, ~ told You so," but
fight him and the party by whose voice
he was selected. To be an open enemy
Ia manly, 10 bestride fence and wall
Is oowaidly and contemplate That is
not the sort of contest the friends of
Mr.. Blaine have made. Nor, indeed, il
II characteristic of tho supporters of
any prominent candidate for the NOM
ination. They don't go into convention
declaring that IL their will is not ac.
csded TO they will nat support the nom
inee. They say I'VE are Republicans,
We believe oar man 10 the best and W.
want him nominated. bat II he is not
we win do our best TO elect the choice OF
the convention" Suppose the friends of
Mr.. Blaine, for instance, we're to adopt
the policy and proclaim themselves as
do these Priests and Levites. What
chance would remain for Republican
success were their demands not com
piled with ! And yet by all rules Of
equity, being In plurality in conven-
ton. they have a far better right to take
such stand than have the handful who,
headed by the Times. declare In favor Of
dark horse, or male or some other un.
known quantity, and agains promin-
snt and outspoken candidates.
Al this distance il Is, of course, i'm
possible TO predict with even measure
ably certainty what will be the outcome
Of this week ut Chicago. Probably,
however. 10 is Just as easy here as upon
the battle ground. In the skirmishes
preceding the conflict points will be
gained and losa on every side. We have
great confidence that Mr.. Blaine will be
the nominee. Ii 10 certain that his
chances for success greatly exceed those
In the contest of four years ago. He
has larger proportion of the delegates;
they are, IL possible. even more enthu-
sisstic, and the opposition is neither SO
compact nor strong, nor susceptible Of
being msssed against him as we're the
different elements Of the convention
united against the third term and Gen
eral Grant in 1850. There is no, as
then a central idea which can be use
a. q rallyina point. The cry OF ANY
thirg 10 beat Grant" in 1880 was no, 40
much directed against the ex Presiden.
personally, but because he stood AZ the
exponent Of innovation upon old and
venerated usage. II was anything TO
beat third term nomination. There
IL no such underlying sentiment Of hos-
sility 10 the nomination Of Blaine, not
outstanding the efforts of his enemies
TO excite L. The real und Of oppo-
sition TO him Is that which il almost al.
ways visible In conventions. He Is the
strongest and most popular NAN among
a AA "a -