The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-06-11
THE NOMINEE.

The name of the next president of the
United States was proclaimed at Chica-
go sooner than was expected. Before
the people Of the ''isolated city of the
great northwest" even knew that the
balloting had commenced, the news
was flashed over the wire that the Plum
ed knight had won the great victory,
and would be the standard bearer of the
republican party in the coming contest.
TO a great many land it seems TO Blaine
himself) this was an unexpected result.
Up to yesterday the clark horse" theory
seemed the generally accepted one,
while the nomination Of either Blaine
or Arthur was considered almost out of
the question. But this is not the first
time that the unexpected has happened
in national conventions, and it will not
be the last. Tt is certainly the result
wished for by a large majority Of the
republicans of the country. The conven-
ton, in nominating James G.. Blaine,
has reflected the common sentiment of
the leading republican states, the states
that will elect a republican PRESIDENT.
James Gillespie Blaine was born in
Pennsylvania fifty-four years ago. His
father was one of the heaviest landed
proprietors in the state, and a promi-
nent parsonage. The son spent several
years in early youth at school in Lam
caster, Ohio, living in the family of the
Hon. Thos. Ewing, at that time secre-
tary of the treasury. He graduated at
Washington college in 1847, and after
wards taught school several years. He
next drifted into the ed. .orial chair, be-
coming editor Of the Kennebec (Me.)
Journal, and later of the Portland AID
vertiser. His natural ability and bril-
.liancy fitted him for the political stage,
and in 1853 he entered upon his success
full career in politics, being elected a
member of the Maine legislature. He
served his state in the assembly two
terms, and was speaker the second. In
1862 he was elected to congress where he
soon took leading rank and was recog-
nized as the greatest debater and parlia-
mentarian on the floor Of the house. In
1869 he was elected speaker, a position
he held for several successive terms.
His rulings were always prompt, exact
and just. In 1877 he entered the senate,
where he made a like brilliant record.
In 1880 Blaine practically nominated
Garfield, defeating the third term
scheme. He entered Garfield's cabinet
as secretary of state, and during the con-
%tinuance of that administration main
tanned an active, vigorous foreign policy,
but before any desired results were at
tanned the president was assassinated
and Blaine retired from the state depart
ment. The past year or two he has de-
voted to the preparation of a history of
his twenty years in public life, which,
like all his other undertakings, is a great
success. 1t is a work that has made
him a fortune and famous in literature
ais we'll as politics.
With Blaine as the standard bearer
the campaign will be anything but life
less. He is IN active, bold, aggressive
ASSNSA oAu q OAO POWOA VIZ spun "
infuse unWonted enthusiasm among his |
followers. He has long had a warm
place in the heart of the republican
masses, and now that he is their chosen
champion their zeal will be enkindled
anew and the contest from the outset
will be one of enthusiasm on the repub-
lican side. When the democrats in
their desperation try to convince them
selves that Blaine is the weakest of all
the candidates that were before the con-
vention they forget the wondrous power
and magnetism of the man. The
"plumed knight will lead his hosts to
certain victory in November.
So far as Montana is concerned the
nomination must be satisfactory to all
whether republicans or democrats.
James G. Blaine has always shown a
friendly feeling for this great territory,
and under his administration Montana
will be granted full recognition.