The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-09-24

The following editorial appeared May
IA, 1884, in the Buffalo Commercial I'D
gerttssr, owned and edited by James D. War
rem, then and now chairman of the repub-
licaE state committee of the state of New
York:
THEY HAVE BOTH BEEN TESTED.
o. 1t is conceded, except by those whose
personal or political animosities warp
their judgment and prevent them from
reaching the correct conclusions from ass
certained facts, that the business men OF
the country would be glad to have
Mr.. Arthur receive the republican
nomination at Chicago. Just as true as
it is that the business men do not want
Mr.. Blaine to get that prize. Mr.. Ed
munds stands high in their confidence.
Gen. Hawley's distinguished record has
secured for him an enviable position in
the respect of the business community.
But the great majority of intelligent BUSH
ness men do not mention Blaine's name
when they are asked to give their opinions
in relating to the presidential possibilities.
Arthur and Blaine have both been tested
in connection with the national govern
ment, the one for few months, the other
for the past three years. During his brief
career as secretary of state the bust
ness men found ont that Blaine Is precise
ly the kind of man that they do not want
to sec at the head of the administration.
He remained just long enough to show
that if he had the power he could aud
would make an infinite amount of trouble.
Years have passed since he walked out OF
that Office, and from facts revealed it has
been discovered that Blaine was the evil
genius of the Garfield administration. He
would surely have brought it into
difficulties and possibly into disgrace
Outside of ring of politicians
who have found in Blaine bold fac
tional leader, ready for raid where
"Spoils" were to be found, there was no
regret expressed, nor was there any felt,
when his name was stricken from the list
of cabinet officers. The man was at that
time tested and found wanting. We dc
not turn over the defiled pages of his
record as a member of the national legiS-
lature. The business men know how
much there was in his career then to mark
him as Il man impulsive, dangerous and
unreliable. We are referring now to the
opportunity he had to show what ability
or integrity he had for important position
in federal administrative functions, and
how far he came from reaching the mark
which even those who had expected least
of him thought he might attain. Chester
A Arthur has also been tested and That
| very severely. He was called under mos
menacing auspices to position from thu
responsibilities of which even the most
experienced statesman might recoil with
the best encouragement. Envy and ma
lice, encouraged by friends of the buttled
secretary (Blaine), if not by himself. were
doing their best to condemn the man and
draw froms him all popular confidence
| before he had had chance at vindicatiol
and den onstration of his capabilities
| Thirty days had not passed before NAL
ignity and virulent opposition deemed i
wise not to be vehement; personal detract
ion had to give way to a popular demand
| for Justice The business men watchet
carefully the actions and listened cautious
" to the utterances of the newly triet
servant. By the time that he had pre-
pared his first message to congress the.
pronounced him safe and conservative
prudent and courageous. Thos
who hoped for dignified administrator
have never before seen the president
office filled with more grace, gentleman
demeanOr and strict regard for the court
esy due to the humblest of worthy cit
zens. Even the conventions that hav
been captured" by his magnificent op
ponents serving as the same ambition:
intriguing, envious Blaine-have fel
compelled to respect public opinion an
pass resolutions commencing the wisdom
responsibility and statesmanlike charact
er of Arther's administration.
The business men who carry commo
sense into politics are satisfied wit
Arthur. They prefer the calm, sell
reliant, conservative statesman to an
"plumed knight who. however brilliant
in any sense of the word he may b.
takes good care that no no strong ligf
shall be turned upon his public record.
|