Iron County register., 1886-05-27
NOT PRESIDENT YET.

The Pine Tree State Politician Has His
Grip Yet on the Party - His Party,
However, Not the Country.
According to our Washington dis
patches, some significance is attached
to the organization of the Republican
Congressional Campaign Committee
on what is regarded as a Blaine basis.
The selections of Congressman Golf as
chairman and Edward Mcpherson as
secretary are looked upon as directly
in the interest of the late candidate
for the Presidency. 1t is asserted that
the efforts they are to make toward
restoring Republican control in the
House at the fall elections are to be
coupled with concerted movement
to keep alive the Blaine sentiment
throughout the country. Of course,
the avowed object of the latter move
ment is the denomination of the Maine
leader as the Republican Presidential
candidate two years hence. The Cos
sip on the subject is an interesting
contribution to current political dis
cussiOn. To similar outgivings from
other quarters it makes a timely and
suggestive addition. Moreover. it
DcdGS lHt ullHltSIdhjDit SldIIlp O1
and indicates cor ectly the present
condition and tendencies of the Re-
publican organization in the Nation.
Whatever may be thought of Mr..
Blaine either by critics or adherents.
his strength with his party can neither
be ignored nor denied As the matter
stands to-day he is, even in nominal
retirement, the most conspicuous Re-
i,>t tho Dpt Of niffaa
his movements are more closely
watched by the politicians of both
parties than any representative of the
minority who occupies official station.
Defeat has not deprived him of the
adhesion of large body of followers
in every State of the Union. The num-
erous body of partisans of his train do
not necessarily represent the original
Republicanism of the United States.
OF that element much of the best has
already passed over to the Democracy.
A section not so large but still influ-
ential is irrevocably arrayed in antagO-
nism to the Presidential aspirations
of Mr.. Blaine Nevertheless, what re-
mains of the old party stands firmly
committed to his fortunes and looks
upon him as its most capable and in
tiuential chieftain. Nor are the mani
festations of sympathy and support
confined TO his original followers.
They are as visible among the extremists
of the old Stalwart school as they are
in the circle formerly characterized as
the Half Breeds. Reverses at the polls
smay have impaired his standing with
the multitudes of voters; his relations
to machine men have been strengthened
and solidfied by his overthrow. His
position in his party is such that it
must inevitably, unless a complete
change occurs, exert a potent and far
reachign influence on the Republican
campaing for 1888.
Undoubtedly, Mr.. Blaine and his adj
herents are giving careful attention to
the possibilities of 1888. Undoubtedly.
they mean to set him again in the field,
if a reasonable prospect of success is
presented. Can he be elected? is the
only question that disturbs or restraints
them. 1t is the chief consideration
which will govern their futrze opera
tions. No Intelligent person believes
for a moment that Mr.. Blaine himself
would hesitate to make the effort, if he