The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-10
sam Derby.
The Nomination OF Mr.. Blaine.

The death of Garfield and the retire
ment of Mr.. Blaine to private life have
eliminated in the elevation of the latter
to the head of his party. This result
has long been anticipated. Mr.. Blaine
himself has invited it by pursuing q
policy that suited the times and circum-
stances. Without soliciting votes he
kept himself before the people. so that
all knew ne was as keen an aspirant as
he was in 1876 or in 1880. He has thus
become the standard bearer of his par
ty; and he must now face, not poll
ticians and delegates within his own
ranks, but a great party that has no
faith in him or the principles of the
platform upon which he stands.
He was nominated at the end of a
struggle of almost unprecedented bitter
ness. The very circumstances of his
nomination must have a tendency to
arouse factional feelings, and Mr.
Blaine himself represents all that Grant
and COnkling and the 5talwarts general
ly loath and despise. But Blaine's
weakness chiefly consists in his restless
ambition-in his desire to inaugurate
dazzling, snowy policy both at home
and abroad. Once seated he would be-
gin campaign for n second term, and
the country would be apt to be treated
to policies that would not promote its
growth and prosperity. In times like
present the country does not want an
irritating foreign policy or disturbing
domestic policy. 1t would be apt to get
both if it elects Mr.. Blaine.
Thoughtful people will be apt to hes
itate before they vote for the brilliant
and restless man from Maine. The
OverpreSSed business man, who can not
leave his office or store or factory for
summer rest, will be apt to think twice
before he helps to the Presidency
men whose career has been full of sur
priSes and daring declarations. Mr..
Blaine is not a safe man, and the bust
ness world knows it.
How, then, can a man who can not poll
in the doubtful States, and particularly
in New York, the full vote of his party
because of factional differences, and who
does not possess the confidence in a crit
ical business period of business men
how can such a man-magnetic and
brilliant though he be--hope to carry
the country? He can not carry New
York, nor New Jersey, nor Indiana, and
it is not altogether certain that he can
carry Massachusetts. The best men in
his own party in the last named State
will not support him except in the most
perfunctOry manner, and if to luke
warmness in political ranks proper, is
developed distrust in business circles,
even the Old Bay State may win place
in the Democratic column.
Be the result what it may the bread
and-butter brigade and the colored
troops generally returned home in dis
pirited and hapless condition. They
bet on horse that was easily distanced,
and the entire gang can not now estab-
lish p single claim upon Mr.. Blaine.
They can not cast an electoral vote.
and the only influential votes they had
or WILL have this year were persistently
cast against the plumed knight. They
fought nobly, but their foresight was
not equal to the occasion, and they will
now proceed to chew the bitter cud of
d appointment. Mr.. Blaine owes them
nothing. atlanta Constitution.