, 1886-03-18
Blaine and the Presidency.

If the tone CT the press l. any
criterion Of public opinion, it is eyi.
dent that il Mr. Blaine lives until
ASSS and if nothing occurs in the
meantime to work 4 change in Tie
rapidly growing sentiment in his
favor. he viii be the next republican
candidate for the presidency. If the
national convention were to be held
tomorrow. he would be nominated
by large vote and with more en-
thusiasm than in 1884 Retired from
public life an from active politics
as he Is. he has a body of determined
and enthusiastic followers compared
with which the supporters of any
one of the avowed aspirants for the
nomination appear few and weak.
While he has never been a popular
man with politicians and party lead
ers. he possesses 4 hold upon the
rank and file of the republican party,
which Is as wonderful as it is epduI-
ing. Even defeat has failed TO
loosen this hold in the least, and if
possible. 1t Is stronger today than it
was in the spring Of 1884 Ballots
taken in republican gatherings in all
parts of the country invariably result
in 4 large majority Of votes being
east for the Maine stateaman. Even
IN the Ohio legislature, where the
strength ot Senator Sherman might
be supposed TO be greatest, a recent
poll of the republican members dis
closed the fact that more than two.
thirds of them favored the nOmina-
ton Of Blaine All of these things
have q significance much greater
than that os tne conventional straw"
of the political campaign. They
indicate the option of the thought
full men of the republican party-of
the men whose influence tells in the
primaries and conventions.
GIr. Blaine is still a comparatively
young man-too young for his
country to dispense with his services.
He has been SO long in public lie, so
long among the most prominent
figures in national politics. that peo
pie can scarcely realize that he Is
only tifty-six years of age. He is
twenty years younger than Glad
| stone, seventeen years younger than
Bismarck, thirty years than Won
NEoltke, and fifteen years younger
than Earl Granville, who is consid
cred one of the rising" English
statesman. He IS two years younger
than Senator Edmunds, four years
younger than Senator Logan and
seven years younger than Senator
Sherman. If be should be elected to
the presidency in 1888 he would be
only few months over iifty-nine
years of age at the time Of his in
auguration-younger than John
Adams, Harrison, Taylor or Buchanan,
and about the age of Washington,
Madison, Monroe and John Quincy
Adams. Evidently Mr.. Blaine has
not yet reached the age when it is
customary to place statesmen on the
retired list. He is said to be in per-
feet health, and there is every reason
to hope that he is yet destined to a
long career of'usefulness to his coun-
try.
No impartial man will deny that
the administration of President Cleve-
land has thus far been better than
could reasonably lave been hoped q
year ago. The president has shown
himself TO be greatly superior to his
party in many respects, and has
accordingly incurred the ennity of
the worst elements of that party.
There cannot now be any question
that a determined effort will be made
to defeat Mr. Cleveland when he
appeals to the democratic convention
of 1888 for q denomination. This
effort may be successful, and it may
not. There can be no doubt that the
democratic party would prefer to
nominate some other man if it dared,
but it will scarcely dare to do So
Cleveland has the prestige of SUCCESS,
and in politics that is a consideration
not to be disregarded
The administration of President
Cleveland, superior to his party as it
has been, however, has not been such
as to entitle him to reelection if his
competitor is Mr.. Blaine. That Er.
Cleveland has earnestly endeavored
to serve the best interests of the
country, that he IS honest and con
scientious in the discharge of his
duties, few even of his enemies VIII
deny, It is plainly apparent, how
ever, that he does not possess the
the qualities of broad statesman
which should characterize a president
Of the United States. He deals with
the questions of today with vigor
ard usually with wisdom, but he
does not prepare for the questions of
tomorrow. He has a good grasp upon
internal affairs, but his view does not
extend beyond the borders of the
! United States. He does not seem to
realize the duties and esponsibilities
of the United States as member
tof the family OF nations. His man
ner of dealing with the inter oceanic
canal question and of all other ques-
tons affecting our foreign relations
displays painful lack of apprecia-
tion of the ultimate responsibility
which rests upon him. He does not
hesitate to recommend the negotaita-
ton of treaties that would reverse
the policy which the government of
the United States has pursued since
its foundation. He would throw the
Monroe Doctri 10 to the winds and
admit the right OF European nations
| ~ - fS'iAC III dHdlES.
short be possesses executive ability
but not statesmanship.
Dir. Blaine alone of our public men
appears to comprehend the neces-
sites of our foreign relations. He
seems to understand the position
which the United States should
! occupy among the nations, and to
comprehend the measures to main
tain that position. His view cxtends
beyond the United States and beyond
this year and this century. He ex-
hibits the qualities OF profound
craftsmanship which Clsvelynd SO
evidently lacks. He is the one re.
publican leader who could and should
defeat Mr.. Cleveland if ne is again
made the democratic standard bearer.
Voorhees, In Congress.
lEn.al, IL