The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-05-14
WHEELING, ". VA, MAY "A 1854.
The Popular VIII.

WuetHer Mr. Dlhlno chu w uuLuluhlCu
Is a question which cannot DO answered
this side Of the decisive vote in the National
Convention. Whether he ought to be is
question already decided by the masies Of
the Republican PARTY. The people may
DO wrong, but 1t Ia their right to be wrong;
and we cannot agree with Mr.. Matthew
Arnold that It Is the high duty and sweet
privilege Of the "remnant"-a email
mirority-to set them right. ,..l
From tho beginning to date Mr.. Blaine
has given the matter no personal direction.
lie has not said to anybody that he would
like to. have the nomination. lie has Civ.
On no intimation at all to his friends, except
10 endeavor TO dissuado them from doing
anything tina! would place him before the
public as q candidate. The presidential
nomination Of great party with SUCCESS
before 1t 10 an honor which no.man in good
health is likely 10 decline, and MIR. Blaine
will no. decline il the nomination comes
to him; but he has lei. upon the minds Of
his friends who have talked with him the
impression that he Is far from counting the
cares Of the Presidency.
The Blaine sentiment which pervades
the Republican party Is spontaneous
tribute to the man and to the type Of man.
hood which he represents. This marvel.
GUS exhibition Of personal atrength is the
outcome Of something the very reverse Of
machine politics. 1t il the free will Of the
party .riumphing over all machines and
professional politicians. II any Of tho ex.
perts are Blaine men it is either because
they foregce assured success under his
leadership, or because they prefer to drift
with the popular current rather than be
overwhelmed by 1t. Mr.. Blaine has not
that potent power in politics-a "bar'l."
lie has no patronage-all that has been
turned agains: him. And it must have
been observed that the field has been glad
to rally around the standard Of patronage
in The hope Of defeating MI. Blaine by the
concentration OF forces.
In the face Of all that he's been done and
attempted against him, it is a signi6can.
fact that in those States which give Repub.
lican electoral votes Mr.. Blaine is far ahead
Of any other man. His strength lies on
the side Of the Republican majorities, and
thin is true as we'll Of counties as OF States.
If Mr.. Blaine shsll be the nominee, he
will be strong in tho South, though he will
not 60 into the convention with that back
ing, because the element which rules
Southern Republican conventions is for
the administration. Maryland and West
Virginia ara marked exceptions to this rule,
for in these States the Republican party
does not depend on patronage for its life
Mr.. Blaine's Southern support in the
convention will grow with the develop.
ment OF his strength elsewhere. II no can
be nominated without the South, the South
will come TO him as fast as it can get there.
Whether Mr.. Blaine shall succeed or fail,
his friends have this consolation, tina: the
life and heart OF the Republican party
are with him; that he is strongest where
the Republican party is strongest; and that
the districts and States which have spoken
Tor him have simply declared the popular
will without the aid OF any machine work
or sharp practice.