The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-03-01
The Republican National Convention

If we are to Judge from the expressions
of opinion in the press and from promi-
nent Republicans all over the country, MI.
Blaine will probob.y be the nominee OF the
Chicago Convention, Notwithstanding his
letter stating that his name would not be
presented to that body. The belief is prev
alent that with any other candidate the
party would risk the Pacific States-that
it would lose much of the vote in New
York, New Jerseyand Connecticut, which,
with any other candidate. would be urde
termlned, and virtually abandon all hope
of any Southern State. While no safe
calculation can be made upon the electoral
support of any State south OF the POto
mac, with Mr.. Blaine there would be a
fighting chance for Virginia, West Vir-
ginia and North Carolina. Certainly if
he could not carry one or more of them,
no other candidate could The same may
be said of the States of New York, New
JERSEY, Connecticut and Indiana. He has
demonstrated his strength in New ork,
and that he can carry larger vote there
than anyone else. The Republican defec-
ton, manifested in 1884, would be less than
in that year, inasmuch as it is clear now
that it was not so much opposition to Mr..
Blaine as 1t was love for free trade which
controlled the larger part of it. The free
trade influence will be given to no Repup'
lican candidate 1t will support Cleve-
land. but he will lose the protective ele-
ment, both in the Republican and Demo
cratic parties, which voted for him in
1884, under the persuasion OF Mr.. Randall.
who youched for his soundness on the tar
iff Four years of Dem ocratic admins
tration have been enough to convince these
refining Republicans who expect perfec-
tion in political parties, that they cannot
hope for it in that direction, and that the
interests of the country can be best sub
served by the party that brought it to its
unexampled prosperity.
Then there was an element that was
apprehensive that Mr.. Blaine's foreign
policy might bring about serious compiled
tions with other nations. They were
frightened by Democratic clamor. and lost
their heads in contemplating their money
bags. 1t is now seen that it was the
highest type of craftsmanship which sug-
gested Convention of North and South
| American Republics, in the interest of a
policy of continental peace, and which
would have assured peace with the bal.
ance of the world. as well as the mutual
| protection and commercial advantage OF
all the powers whose welfare was to
| be invoked in this proposed Conyen'
ton. Although the invitation for this
conference was recalled by President Ar
| thur, the policy 1t indicated was after
wards approved, ana during the present
Congress Democratic representative has
introduced resolution looking to a SINH
lar Convention. Then. too, calm reAec-
ton which has since followed has con-
| WINGED those who were apprehensive four
years ago, that it was the wisdom OF gen.
uine craftsmanship which suggested the
policy, and all concur IN the opinion that
it would be to the true interests OF this
country to bring about closer political and
commercial relations between the Repub
llcs of North and South America.
In fact the grounds upon which Mr..
Blaine was opposed in 1854, by some Re-
publicans, as well as Democrats, have
been found to be faIlacious, and the acct
dental occurrences which operated adj
versely upon his election. at crucial time
could not be repeated.
For these and kindred reasons large
majority of the Republicans of the
country believe that Mr.. Blaine would
be stronger III 1888 than he was in
1884 The further fact that Mr.. Cleye
land will have to stand square upon
his free trade message as his platform
| and that the lines will be strictly drawn
on that issue, make the demand more i'm
perative that thoroughly representative
protective tariff candidate should be nom
mated by the Republicans. There is nc
one who answers to this condition better
than Mr.. Blaine. in the opinion of many
of the most sagacious and far-seeiDg OF
the prominent Republicans of the coun'
try.
If, however, Mr.. Blaine is nominated il
will have to come to him by the spontane
GUS and practically unanimous wish of the
States from which electoral votes are as
sured for him to accept. He does not
seek or ask for it. He recognizes the fact
that there are other aspirants, and those
who have strong claims upon the party
that he has received the honor onceMand
failed. by scratch, under peculiar Cir
cumstances, however: and for these rea
sons he does not wish his name to be pre-
sented. If, after the strength of Others
has been tested and it does not result III
commanding such an expression of conf
dence as to warrant nomination and as
sure success, it is not unlikely his name
will be brought forward, to reconcile con-
flicting interests. and chosen by such
vote as will leave no doubt that he is the
strongest man in the party.
Under such conditions, we have nc
doubt he would accept, and if so, be
elected.
Since the above was written, we no
| UlC6 AL lIlleTNltW Will NIL l)inlu0, III ois
New York World, with its staff CORES
pondent, MI. T. G. Crawford, who is now
in Italy. In it MI. Blaine states posi-
lively that his name will not be presented
to the Republican Convention for The
Presidential nomination, and reasons are
assigned for this determination, which
warrant the conclusion that he means
what he says But even with this before
them. our Washington correspondent says
his friends have not abandoned the idea OF
his nomination, as they think the necessi
ties of the situation will demand it. We
will only have to await developments
what is it to US. as a party, it Mr.
Blaine is elected and we are given the
90 by ana are sacrificed 20
Such is the inquiry and lament of the
secret circular sent out by the chairman
of the Republican State Executive Com
mittee. to his assumed faithful adherents
Unless the little squad can command the
! .a,aoo that 80 ~ 70 thop, hot hor thc