The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-12-09
James Mcmillan.

Anybody can carry Michigan said Hon.
RosooE CoNKLINa the great New York SEN
ator. And when that historic remark was
made. it was true that anybody" could carry
Michigan, provided anybody" was fortunate
enough to receive a nomination at the hands
of the republican party.
But why was it that Michigan, in those
days, was such reliable republican state?
Other states sometimes gave as great or
even greater republican majorities than
Michigan, but were, every now and then,
carried by the democracy, while Michigan
was absolutely sure TO cast its vote in favor
of the republican party and its nominees
The answer to the above question is obvious.
Michigan republicans, at that time, had
leader in the full sense of the word, man
who was born to lead, man possessed of
a wonderful political foresight and a remark
able degree of executive ability, the Hon.
ZACHARIAH CHANDLER, whose very name was
equal to host; at once tower of strength
to his friends and synonym of defeat for
his political enemies. Since Mr.. CHANDELIERS
death, until during the late campaign, the
republican party has been without a captain
ance, but no one who seemed to possess the
requisite qualifications to successfully assume
command and lead the party to renewed tri-
umph and additional victory. And what has
~
JEROME by the man with the "lttle red
book" the election of Governor ALGRR by
only a beggarly plurality, the Legislature
nearly turned over TO the opposition and the
seating of three fusion candidates on the
supreme bench of the state.
This, certainly, was not a very encourag-
ing outlook for future republican success in
the state, yet the party never lost hope, its
confidence never wayered, its courage never
faltered, and the state convention that as
sembled at Grand Rapids was composed of
earnest. thoughtful. able republicans who
realized the great responsibility that rested
upon them. The first duty that devolved on
the members of that convention was to lay
before the people platform of principles
that should command respect and support ;
the next duty was to place upon that plat
form, as the candidates of the party, able
men, men who could command confidence,
men of honor and integrity and of sterling
answering republicanism.
The convention realized that the contest
was to be the republican party against the
field, and that victory, if won at all, must be
won against combined opposition, and in
spite of all efforts that could be made, not
only by the fusionists, but by those who rep
resented every side issue of Michigan politics
But, after having proceeded thus far in its
work, there yet remained another thing to be
done that was second to no other duty that
rested on the representatives of the republi-
can party there assembled The opposition
was flushed with recent victories, it had lust
nominated for its standard bearer man who
his supporters boosted and expected would
carry the state. and it was necessary that a
man should be appointed that was able to
lead the republican party to victory. Look
ing over the ground carefully, they finally
selected man from the ranks, man who,
while known to be man of answering
republicanism. had never been a seeker for
place and power, and this man, JAMES
MCMILLAN of Detroit they invested with the
insignia of rank and commissioned as the
leader of the party. The selection proved to
have been eminently wise and judicious.
With only sixty days in which to organize
for the contest and plan the battle. Mr..
MCMILLAN assumed control. and almost inn
mediately it was felt. by both friends and
foes, that the republican party again had
leader that was worthy of the name. The
result % his skilful generalship was felt
even to the Iemotest parts of the state In
localities where the party was strong, he
made it still stronger, and where it was weak.
he encouraged and upheld it. He was not
only chairman of the state central commit