The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1886-08-26
" SHADOW IN MAINE.
THE SENTINEL'S CAPITAL COR
RESPONDENT, DOWN EAST.
He Discusses Maine Topics Including
James G.. Blaine and Winking Reed
Opening of the Maine Campaign.

fact, have been, called bull-headed.
Nothing under the sun can convince
them that the days of "Dirigo" are
past. The citizens of the State of
Maine, though they have only been
in the Union sixty-odd years, are to-
day laboring under the impression
that their dear land is pivotal. OF
course, this is all wrong; the country
would go if Maine shouldn't 'tgo"
at all. But everybody in this State,
Republican and Democrat, regards
the safety of the whole United States
as depending on the political prosper
ity of Maine You know the little
State Of Ohio once had something like
this ON the brain; two or three Presi-
Dental candidates turned Ohio's head.
There is this difference in Maine; one
Presidential candidate has set her
crazy. OF course, absurd notions have
crept into other States, but they are,
like blue blood, without bottom.
Among the citizens of Maine who
cling to absurd notions, there is per-
haps none more tenacious than
JAMES G. BLAINE.
The unquenchable thirst james G.
Blaine has for the Presidency Of the
United States seems to encourage at
least the Republicans of Maine beyond
all description. In some of the no
tions James G. Blaine cherishes, he
wins the admiration every body show
ers upon plucky child. James G.
Blaine, essentially an unfortunate
man, certainly has never yet succumb-
ed to circumstances. Aside from all
political considerations, he is man of
whom the citizens of Maine may well
feel proud. Here, at his home, one
can pause and admire James G. Blaine
as the man, not as the politician. His
intellect. his presence, the man him.
self, is felt as soon as you approach
him. One almost pities the man who
has thrown most of his brains away on
politics.
THE BLAINE BOOM,
though it might have risen of itself, is
being carefully nourished by james
G. Blaine. 1t is no secret that some
thing more than the welfare of his
own dear State induced James q.
Blaine to doff his literary attire and
buckle on the armor of politics He
is very desirous of assisting his fellow
Republicans in the present campaign.
He has grown restless, and longs for
the excitement of his better days.
Then, too, he has watched every move
ment of Democrats, in and out of
Congress, and is longing to criticise
and condemn. Aside from any per-
sonal considerations, he may be given
the credit one would give any other
Republican anxious for the welfare of
his party. That, on the other hand,
he is playing deep game, is scarcely
matter of opinion in the minds of
those who know James G. Blaine, the
politician.
WINKING REED
who has "wunk" necessarily since
the adjournment of Congress, is per-
haps, the ablest, actiAe Republican in
the State. He, like Blaine, is very
anxious for the welfare of hir party,
and has undertaken a long and ener-
Gus canvass. It is noticeable that
there is any coolness between James
G. Blaine, and Winking Reed, but
both by this time have observed one
another's rivalry. AS against Blaine's
unfortunate record. Winking Reed,
has certainly the reputation of a
staunch but spotless PARTISAN. Wink
ing Reed, it is true, may be too loyal
to the leader to usurp, or attempt to
usurp the sceptre, but his friends may
as they have in the past, insist in his
merits. He is certainly in one of
those embarrassing positions in which
friends sometimes find themselves.
What is more, he may wink and wink
in vain.
will take place tomorrow. James G.
Blaine, Winking Reed, Boutelle, and
a host of other Maine Republicans
will help to fire the first gun. 1t is
sigificant that no pains will be spared
to carry the State. The Republicans
of Maine, between the Democrats and
Fusionists have been taught several
bitter lessons. But it is asserted even
now that Herculean efforts on part of
the Republicans will have the effe ct
of setting an example for the foe. AS
regards political capital, however, the
Republicans are peculiarly rich. The
campaign committee at Washington
has already flooded the State with |
garbled speeches and doctored bills.
It is an easy matter for Blaine, with !
his audience already enlightened, to
.criticise and ridicule Democratic
measures and men to everybody's sat
isfaction. Add to this his wide ex-
perience and ripe intellect, and james
6. Blaine on the State stump, stands