New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-31
AFTER MIR. Blaine, WHO'

Tho keen QlSappOiEtuenS OI hepupiedhS o'
the declination of Mr. Blaine is natural. 30
strong had been the desire that his nomination
should give the Nation. an opportunity to re-
verse the decision of 1854 that, in spite of his
declared wishes, at least half the delegates
chosen to tho National Convention were IN
clined to vote for him at the outset, and man!
more after single ballot. But this natural
disappointment must not and will not pima
Republicans to the truth which his two letters
SO strongly enforce, that tho Republican party
is greater than any man, and its cause moro
potent than the personal popularity OF an!
leader whatever 1t has been constantly urged
by The TRIBUNE that moro than one hepuo-
lican could be nominated this year with assur-
apce of success. The time has come to realize
this truth. and to take to heart the lesson II
suggests.
Mn. Blaine himself, with oil his remarkable
popularity. had been candidate more IMAM
once. He became an irresistible candidate In
the convention of 1854 because he had become
tho most powerful and the best known repre-
sentative of Republican convictions upon Inc
broad issue which the Democratic party mad
forced upon the country. His magnificent lead
er.hip in 1884 consisted not in superior skill
in organization or management, but in present.
inc to the country with matchless force and
imprcssiveness the great issue upon which the
election ought to havc been decided. Ii he
gained in that campaign thousands OF votcs
which would then have been given to no other
Republican candidate, It was because no other
had then presented that Issue with such win
ming power. In spite of it he was beaten, and
- Of IL
timed TO the very end of the contest, bore
testimony to the fact that decisive majority
of the American people were with Mr.. Blaine
on the issue Of protection for American nights
and American industry He won thousands. OF
votes, because many Democrats rightly be-
lieyed that no had presented the true and vital
issue in the contest He failed to receive thou
sands Of votes because other men. more blind
OF narrow, refused to see that Democratic
victory meant danger to American rights and
10 the protection of American industries.
That doubt the Democratic party has swept
away forever. Its cowardly surrender In the
Fisheries Treaty has shown how ready it Is to
betray American rights in negotiation with
foreign nation. It's desperate battle for
change Of tariff toward free-trade principles
has proved beyond question its determination
to break down and destroy protection of Amer1-
can industry "a far and as fast as it can. The
very issue which Mr.. Blaine tried to make the
country realize Is now forced upon tho country
in all it's breadth and in all it's Sharpness, by the
conduct Of the Democratic party when invested
with power obtained by false pretences.
TIE TRIBUNE believes that Mr.. Blaine Is
light-that tho issue, and the Republican party
as the embodiment of American convictions on
that issue, will be found stronger than any
man, however popular. Any candidate whose
position is such that he can draw to himself the
votes of those who agree with the Republican
party on that broad and vital issue will DO elect
ed by vote so decisive that It's meaning will
never be questioned There arc such candi-
dates, more than ono, TIE TRIBUNE believes,
and the nomination of either Of them ought to
he and with reasonable management will he
equivalent to an election. Because Mr.. Blaines
nomination would have made this issue more
definite and clear than any other nomination
possible, it was preferred by a majority OF the
delegates chosen to tho convention. In look
ing beyond the name of Mr.. Blaine these dele
gates will not forget the principles which made
him their first choice
II there arc candidates before the convention
whose nomination would seem to anybody to
mean an abandonment or abatement of Repub-
lican convictions on this vital issue, it is rea-
sonablo to expect that the convention will takc
care not TO nominate either Of them. Among
the candidates who do fully, unequivocally
and unQuestionably represent the convictions
of the party, the convention will strive to
choose the man who will command tho strong
est support in the doubtful States. livery
body is wiser than anybody" and the councils
of able and earnest Republicans at Chicago
ought to be so calm. 70 patriotic and 80 wise as
to deserve and command greater confidence
than the personal choice of even the most
On o., cion,e individ1,ol