The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-03-12

character and of the requisite ability to
MI the office of chief magistrate of the
United States. But there'is no question
that some of these would make stronger
candidates than others, and would con-
tribute more largely to securing a Repub.
lican victory in the coming campaign.
Like others we have our preference, and
we have no hesitation in announcing that
Blaine is by all odds our first choice. In
this we are not alone. The sentiment all
over the North, so far as expression has
been given, is very largely in his favor,
unless it may be in localities or States
which have candidates of their own whose
interests they wish to advance, and even
in some of those aside from the desire to
be loyal to the candidate of their own
lState, the popular feeling is for Blaine.
The great mass of Republicans, young,
and old believe he ought to have had the
nom ination eight years ago, and then
again four years ago, and that he would
have had but for the jealousy OF political
rivals who had resolved if they could not
secure the prize for themselves no other
prominent candidate should. Not 10 excite
or revive unnecessary antagonisms, but
to state the truth, the conviction was and
is that but for political trickery and fraud,
he would have been the nominee.
The people believe in his sincerity, his
purity of character, his wisdom, his states
manship, his ability, and power, and
would rally under his leadership with an
enthusiasm unequalled in the politics of
this country. With James G. Blaine as a
candidate, the Republican party could
sweep every State in the North and prob
ably three or four in the South.
We do not mean to intimate that the Re-
publicans could not be successful with
some other of the men mentioned,
for we believe they would, but the
chances would be somewhat diminished in
any case and with some, the issue would
be more than doubtful. While having
the integrity and ability they are as one
SAYS only name among the people, while
Blaine "has impressed his personality on
the imaginations and affections of thou.
sands and tens of thousands of people;'
che is IL live man to them all "they like
him and want him because he is likable.''
The people will never forget the bril-
liant and honorable record he made fol
himself during his long service in Con.
gress, his loyalty to Republican princi
pies, his fearless advocacy ofright and
ustice regardless of personal considera
tions, and finally when maligned and ar
raigned by the Democratic and disloyal ele
nleat who had never forgiven nor forgot
ten the deadly wounds he had inflicted il
parliamentary battle, the matchless de
fense lie made which astonished ant
electrified and won the sympathy of mil
lions all over the land. Reports at th'
time said that no such brilliant and eX
citing scenes were ever enacted ON th,
floor of Congress. In his fearless ant
uncompromising defense of truth and jus
tice he has of course made bitter antagon
isms, and his successes have excited th'
envy and jealousy of many smaller, les
noble minds, and to these he no doub
owes his successive defeats.
Now that another candidate is to be Sc
lected, the feeling Of the masses turns in
, stinctively to their old favorite, yet having
learned the tortuous and uncertain
course of politics, hardly dare TO hop
, their wishes will be met by the action o
the next Republican Convention.
} But if the leaders can lay aside feeling
! and prejudice long enough to consult tn
+ best interests of the party, to select tn
/, most able as we'll as the most available
: man, and give us James G. Blaine as
candidate, they will have the satisfaction
| of seeing the Republican party not onl.
: triumphant, but we shall also have one 9
e the most honorable administrations @
/ recent times. '"'H'. '" "a.. .iIs'9