The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-05-14
blaine.

TIE Editor Of tho Cincinnati CONNER.
cial Gazette Talks About the Maine
Man. .'.
The Commercial Gazette prints the fol'
lowing letter, addressed by It's editor, Murat
Hals!ead, to the editor Of the Chicago Daily
Ntus, IN response to an inquiry as to his
reasons for advocating the nomination Of
James G. Blaine for President:
"7U the EiiOr u Mc Chicago Nttsi:
"You call for information about my
conversion as you are pleased to call II,
by Mr.. Blaine. ALLOW me 10 impart the
following: 'Ag
Eight years ago advocated the nomi.
nation lor the Presidency Of General Bris'
tow and opposed Mr.. Blaine incidentally.
snow, am not devoting myself to toll
In favor Of any particular nomination,
though my expressed preference Is John
Sherman, and am not sssailipg Mr.. Blaine,
President Arthur, Senator Edmunds or
General Logan, holding them all in high
esteem. .g
perhaps have changed my policy. l
profess to have profted by eight years en-.
largemeat OF experience. at
"During those years l have been more
deeply than ever convinced that there Is
no reasonable hope Of doing anyg good with
the Democratic party, and l have lost
faith in the efficacy Of independent move
ments.
II have had share in tho labor OF hold.
ing psrlor consultations with a few excellent
citizens with the view OF shattering both
the great political organizations Of the
country, and I want to spend my time to
better purpose. In this I perceive no
occasion for public regret or private
eorrow. 'ns..
II propose to support the Republican
National nomination, and it occurs 10 me
10 reserve my strength until after tho pro.
ceed!ngs OF the convention. The journal
with which ! am connected ia not at war
with any OF the candidates, and believe
in the Cause above them all.
Il am grateful to Mr.. Blaine for his
large share in defeating the third term az.
erosion against American Republicauism,
and l feel persuaded that in the atmos.
phere Of suspicion Of 1876 some Of us &C.
copied too readily the theory that the
smoke OF accusation against Blaine meant
that there mus. be hidden fire, Boon to
break out and consume him.
whichever attempted to hunt up the
facts that were assumed to be the fuel, they
failed to materializs. l should not, il he
were the candidate, feel alarmed abou! his
record. We know all that can be used
against him, that it would DO as Intellectual
before the people at large as in the Repub-
nj hat
date unsssailable.
MIR. B!aine's enemies, who are yiolen.
and quoting themselves to show that hard
things can be said Of him, are not important,
and have mistaken their mission.
u know OF soma matters in which Mr..
B!alne's assailants are utterly in error
President Garfield told me that at the frat.
OF his Cabinet meetings he opened bust
ness by Eaying to all, az he could at that
moment do without oIense to any, they
would get along peaceably only by care
luliy limiting Themselves to their own de.
partments OF duty. He eaid Blaine &C.
guessed and complied with his suggestion
July and cordially up to that day-;t was
the last day Of June, 1881.
And President Garfield said Blaine was
corresponding 1o1 tue NOW 1OIR appoint.
ments upon which Conkling resigned;
that they we're his own, and made under a
sense ofduty to his friends and himself as
the President Of the United States, upon
the belief that when the shock was over
there would be better understanding.
When l compare my knowledge, with
the charges current against Mr.. Blaine
about the transactions and so often repeat.
ed that reiutations become tedious, lam
Tree to believe that he has been falsely &C.
cused in other matters; and know enough
OF those who are making business Of hos
tility to him to be sure that il the lines
were drawn on them that they apply, they
could be made unhappy.
~ think our strongest candidate and
safest President would be John Sherman,
and ] gladly give President Arthur credit
Tor his admirable administration but do
not believe tina. the millions of Republic.
ans who kindle with enthusiasm at the
name OF Blaine have gone far wrong.
IN. HAIsTEAp.
Cincinnati, Mdy 10. 1854"