Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-08
Blaine-Cleveland.

The one question OF the day is whether or
NOT Mr.. BLAINE will be the nominee OF TIE
Republican National Convention. The only
means Of forecasting the result OF all the cur
rent movements Is 30 ascertain what those
persons say who are in the inner circle OF
charlottesville men IN fact who know Mr.
BIAINE's mind as well a. be knows II himself.
Mr.. WHlTELAw REID Is one ofthose men. His
outgivings may be accepted as the ouiglvings
Of Mr.. BLAINE himself. In the New York
Tribune Of yesterday he publishes report
four columns long Of an interview with Mr.
PATRICK FORD, which report goes to snow
that Nr. BLAINE Is the choice OF the Irish
voters OF New York city, not to say OF those
OF the entire country, and could and
would assuredly be elected. Dir. PATRICK
FoRD, editor OF the IrlSh Word, Il, we re-
peat, the gentleman who was interviewed.
OF course We cannot reproduce so long
report, but we can state in his own words
that Mr.. Ford favors BLAINE because IN bis
opipion the health OF the nation, the lie OF
the party Of Protection, and the complete
emancipation from the slavery OF machine
politics OF Irish. American voters depend on
his election. Mr.. TORD evidently believes
that old Nj. BUBcHRD defeated BLAINE in
1884, aud the distinguished Irishman Is bent
upon having a second trial OF speed with The
Maine horse as his iavorite.
We need not trouble ourselves 10 ask
whether or not Mr.. FORD speaks by the
card, seeing that Mr.. REID himself has been
interviewed, and has said almost in 20 many
words that Mr.. BLAINE IL TO be nominated
ct Chicago. IL was the Sun that interviewed
the Tribune editor; but Of course 1t was not
done without the connivance Of Mr.. REID.
II was done "by and with the advice and
consent" OF the interviewed. What says
Mr. REIDf Here is his conclusion:
ado you mean 20 sIy, then, under no pos
sibie circumstances can Mr.. Blaine be the
Republican nomineeY"
sOf course not; ] would have no right to
say such thing, and don't know anybody
else who would. Mr. Blaine has Withdrawn
his name, which was his right. The party
is engaged IN considering the names OF
other candidates who are offered under the
prevailing volunteer system, and The con-
vention will do the same. II, after full con-
sideration, 1t fails to find any other candi.
date about whose strength in the doubtful
States II feels an equal degree OF CONT
dence, II may finally conclude, as Mr.. Lin
coin did at the critical period OF the war,
that the volunteer business is played out
and that draft mast be ordered. That
contingency may never occur. and at present
IL is certainly distant. But, II II should &C.
cur, believe the service OF the Republican
party nc this time 10 be, In the highest sense,
the service OF the country, and see 20 reason
why Mr.. Blaine, more than any other citizen
who has sought and received hopors from
his party, could or should be exempt from
it, draft. To refuse under such circum.
stances would, in fact, seem not unlike de-
sertion In the face Of the enemy"
Mr.. BLAINE Is the trump card. A flush
does not amount TO much In the game his
friends are playing. They will go to Chi.
eago with SHERMAN, HARRISON, GRESHAM,
DEPEw, ALLISON, and we know not how
many other candidates or men supposed by
their friends 10 be candidates; but when
these little fellows shall have spread them
selves all over the convention the trump Will
be produced, and there will be no winner
except BLAINE.
General MAH0NE's attention IL called to
what Mr.. REID says OF SHERMAN. In fact
the New Yorker whistles SHERMAN down the
wind as slightingly and CONTEMPORARY rs
II the Ohio malignant were no better than
MALONE himself. weQuote Mr.. REID ngain
al have waited, aud think all have been
waiting, TO see II sny body else develops such
popular strength as would seem 10 give as'
surancs Of carving the doubtful States. II
good ground could be shown for hoping
that Mr.. Sherman could carry New York
should be delighted, and would give him
the heartiest support | knew how. The
same might be SAID OF Harrison, Gresham,
or Allison. IL Chauncey Depew himself
or his most sagaeious political friends be-
lieve that, while carrying certain doubtful
States In the East, he would not run the
greatest risk OF losing several important Re-
publican States al toe West, We should sup
port him with affection and enthusiasm"
They waited but short time, We must
confess. However, Mr.. REID says In effect
that no good ground could be shown fol-
even "hoptng" that Mr.. SHERMAN could
carry New York. And he Is right. SHEE.
NAN against CLEVELAND In New York; There
would be no race. SHERMAN would be dis
Ntanced. In word, BLAINE is to be noml.
mated because he is the only man who can
prevent Mr.. CLEVELAND from crushing the
Republican organization out OF existence.
BLAISE would ''let II down easy"