Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-05-03
assl,.,n,tt Gltrn,,irlr.
THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1855.

the part of Mr.. Blaine's friends in many
parts of the country to stampede the Con-
vention for Blaine, if the oppOrtune mo-
ment arrives. The fact sticks out sc
plainly that it can not be doubted by OBJ
serving mea, and the effect of such move
ment upon the party, if successful, would
be SO disastrous that hesitation to speak
Of it at this time would be little short Of
treason.
There can be no question that Mr.
Blaine's withdrawal was great relief to
all persons except the Democrats and
comparatively few others who were more
partisans of Mr.. Blaine than Republicans
The great mass of Republicans looked
upon that withdrawal as sincere declar-
alton upon the part of Mr.. Blaine, and
as wholly eliminating him from Presi-
Dental possibilities. Subsequent events
were shaped with that view, so that, il
such thing Is possible as to pack the
Convention hall and stampede the dele
gates and nominate Blaine with a yell
such a revuIsion will follow that the party
will be unable to stand up against it.
A defeat under such circumstances
would probably result in the dissolution
of the party. 1t is hard to conceive how
the party organization could be main
tanned following disaster brought about
in that way, and the result of such meth
DDS. The probabilities are it could not
be done.
The contemplation of such calamity
as four years more of sO-called Demo
cratic rule is not a pleasant one by any
means. At the end of it.. not only the
executive, but the legislative and judici-
al departments, as well, would be in con-
troll of that party, the war amendments
of the Constitution nullifed, and the
country, practically, where it was in the
middle of Buchanan's administration
the arrogant Southern leaders dOmina-
ting everything,
The action at Chicago will be the su-
preme one in the history of the party
At no time since the second nomination
OF Lincoln have its representatives been
called upon to exercise higher order of
wisdom and patriotism. If they are able
to rise to the height of the occasion-if
they deliberate and consult, as wise men
should, and, putting behind them all per
sonal and selfish considerations, act for
the country and for the present and fu-
ture of a great party-the chances are
favorable for Republican victory. The
man who asserts that Republican vic
tory is certain in any contingency, is not
careful of his statements.
While Ohio Republicans generally be-
lieve Senator Sherman is better equipped
for the Presidential Office than any other
man in the country, and while they cor
daily favor his nomination, if there are
presented well grounded reasons for be-
lieving that he can not be elected, and
that some other man can Represented
in such WAY as to convince reasonable
men-they will not hesitate as to their
duty. Their first obligation is to the
Cause: and they especially recognize the
fact that the party can not again afford
to nominate a candidate whom any con-
siderable number of Republicans in
States where votes can not be spared
will oppose at the polls.
Republicans everywhere feel that this
is not the time for personal ambitions,
nor to air this or that hobby, at the ex-
pense of the party. They are ready to
support any one whose record as a man
and a Republican is clean. They want
a leader who has the ability to call out
and direct the quickening enthuSiasms
of party purified and chastened by de-
feat, to hafmonize all the old factions by
the breadth and generosity of his char
aeter, to formulate the new phases of old
issues in words that will crystalize the
best sentiments of the party, and to in
spire the young voters with his own glow
ing ardor of conviction. Thus led, the
chances are largely in favor of a Repub-
lican victory.
Since the above was put in type, an
editorial of the New York Tribune has
fallen under our eye, which is reproduced
elsewhere.
The Tribune is very much more a
Blaine than a Republican paper, and
men who have carefully watched events
know that its declarations are not true,
and are calculated to mislead. Right
here in Ohio. in our principal city, a
Blaine Club is perfecting arrangements
to 60 to Chicago several hundred strong,
with music and banners. So, no doubt,
of other localities in the country. What
does this mean? Why the daily bull
letins about Nj. Blaine's health, if he is
so robust, and no longer candidate?
Why is he paraded constantly before the
public, with more conspicuity than
would General Grant be, if living? If,
as the Tribune says, Mr.. Blaine is to be
nominated only "after most thought
I" full and dispassionate consideration"
Sc, why this constant parade and pound
ing of drums? Why the apparently care
full and elaborate preparation of the
Blaine people to repeat the performance
of four years ago?
There are very many Republicans who
supported Mr.. Blaine at the polls in
1904 oc lova1Iy and unSeI6ShIv aS did tho