Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1884-05-09
THE PRESIDENCY
And the Chances Of Candidates as Con-
sidered by Col. Lounsberry.
The almost But Not Quite" Position
in Which Blaine is Held.
A Belief That Grant and Arthur Will
Hold the Balance of Power.

A Belief That Grant and Arthur Will
Hold the Balance of Power.
The Outlook.
WASHINGTON. D. O., May 3.-Tle state and
territorial conventions for the election of dele.
gates to the national republican convention
have all been held, and the result is decidedly
distressing to the politician who is in doubt
about his position until he sees which side is
likely to win. I assure you the woods are full
of these doubtful fellows just at the present
time, and it therefore became an easy matter
for conventions to concede to Arthur's admlnis-
tration all of the credit due it while giving
milk and water instructions in favor of Blaine.
Apparently the strength of Blaine and Ar
thur is about equal. 1t is possible that on the
first ballot Blaine may have dozen or two
more votes than Arthur, but it 10 exceedingly
difficult to see from what source Blaine will be
able to gather the strength that will lead him to
success. Certainly he can not expect recruits
from Arthurs column. The Grant men, and
they will be far stronger than is anticipated,
will soon discover that they hold the balance of
power, and in my judgement they will name
the next president. It may be Arthur, it could
be Edmunds were he as vigorous as candidate
as he is good as man; it may be Hawley or it
may be Gresham, but
BLAINE IT SURELY WILL NOT BE.
The opposition to him is uncompromising and
will be sufficiently active to accomplish his
defeat Unquestionably he is the choice of the
rank and file of the party. He is admired and
almost worshipped by the masses, and were ne
to be chosen president he would give us splen-
did administration, but he is the leading man
in the race and combination of causes will
surely lead to his defeat in the convention.
Other men as able az he have been slaughtered
in the past, and he cannot hope to avoid the
fate that befell them. Revenge for his defeat
IF Grant, the old difficulty with Oonkling and
his vigorous way Of saying and doing things
gives him enemies that in their opposition will
prove invincible.
Arthur's strength cannot be expected to 60
to Blaine. His friends will stand like the oak
in the storm. They will point to the almost
universal endorsement given the administra-
ton, and to the fact that no man has risen to
condemn it. The president may not have al
ways made haste to do what proved to be right,
but he has made few steps that he has been
forced to retrace.
HE has ACTED CAUTIOUSLY
but wisely, and in his administration there are
no blunders to harp upon to his discredit. He
has not sought to use the power Of bis admins
tration to force denomination, and the friends
who 90 the convention in his behalf will not be
tempted or turned by any official or other pres
dorsement he deserves. BE entered the Office
under the most crying circumstance. he was
known to the country as Arthur, the collector
and interested parties had given him the name
of being merely ward politician. He rose
above the expectations of all men, and has
given the country an administration that is
absolutely above reproach.
THERE Is NO TA1NT OF JoBBERY
or corruption in connection with it. The bust
ness interests of the country have felt unusual
freedom. There are those who would find
fault with the appearance of angels
no matter how bright and pure, and so there are
those who seek to undermine this administra-
ton without regard to its merit. Arthur de-
serves a nomination but he may be defeated,
Blaine, however. will not be chosen in his stead.
Grants name will be presented and you will be
astonished ut the following he will have. It
will exceed that Of Edmunds or hogan. The
contest may last several days and when the
break comes it will not be among Arthur's
forces but the Grant men will present compro-
mise candidate who will be the next President
if Arthur is not.
MR.. LINCOLN
is spoken of by all as the proper candidate for
the vice presidency. I have met him several
times in his official capacity since have been
in the city and haye been agreeably surprised
in him. He is about my age. I have met him
often when like myself, he was captain in the
army. He was immature then. There seemed
to be little to commend him aside from the fact
that he was Lincoln's son. cannot forget
blow given me in Libby prison by one related
to him. I find he, like his father, is great
hearted and can not turn deaf ear to those in
distress. plead with him the cause of q widow
whose son in an evil hour had entered the regular
army blithing her bright hopes for the future.
BE read the widows letter, tears started in his
eyes. No more was required to be said. The
widow needed the service of her son; the ooun-
try did not. MIR. Lincoln as his father, would have
done, ordered the relief for which she prayed.
got an
INSIDE VIEW OF HIS HEART
in this interview and I know I shall be among
those In future campaign who will take pride
In urging his name for the presidency. saw
him when arranging for the distribution of the
relief granted by congress for the flood suffer-
ers. The noble qualities Of head and heart were
here displayed, also heard delegation before
him urge the promotion of q worthy comrade.
While not yielding to them he did not seek to
raise false hopes or mislead them in any way,
nor did he humiliate them. They felt that
their case would be determined upon it's
in k