The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-23
NOR. BLAINE, or MAINE.

NIX. BLdINE, OF MAINE.
Mr.. Blninei Of Maine, appears to very
much greater advantage in the interview
we publish IN The ArrEAL this morning
than no has done in anything he has
written or said since the canvass Of 1884.
There is moro OF sound sense in what lac
says in II, and more OF the dignity that
becomes the position he occupies in the
Republican party whose candidate
he may yet be. He admits as
much, provided that neither OF
two contingencies arise. Q) That the
platform is not adverse to his declared
opinions on the tariff question; and (2)
that there are no personal complications
involving the wishes or fortunes OF such
friends Ms DePew, Of New York, Sherman,
oil Ohio, or Allison, Of Iowa. These three
he seems 10 have in his mind as above all
others Of the Republican aspirants for the
Presidency. Mr.. Blaine it must be re-
membered answered the questions in this
interview as far back as juno last and be-
fore he had hobnobbed with the Prince Of
Wales in the palm groves Of the Riviera
This must be kept in Wow
and with it this other fact
that months after he had thus unburden-
cd his mind, regarding himself as still
the chief OF the Republican party he an
tagonized President Clevcland's tariff re-
form Message, anxious to go upon the
record rs Immediately accepting that Mes
sage as n gauge OF battle from the man who
rs the Democratic candidate ho expected
TO confront next summer ms his opponent
for second time for the prize which he
confesses In this interview lac coyets most.
Mr.. Blaine becomes reminiscent with
the interviewer and INDUCES in a retro.
spect OF American politics since the days
when Clay and Webster were disappointed
and were beaten by Harrison and Taylor
and Scott lie refers almost pathetically
to Stewards defeat in iSo0by Lincoln, who
he says was "uncultured aud unknown
lie remarks. too, upon Folks and Picrce's
success, and his own defeat by Hayes and
Garfield. and Grants defeat, notwith,
standing the 1905, because, as he says
he had lost somewhat Of his popularity by
having been hail-iellow.we ll-met with
Kings and Princes and Emperon. during
his tour around the world. Mr.. Blaine in
this interview suggested more than he put
in words. The ghosts Of many disap.
pointed men rise with the mention
Of the names OF Clay aud Webster, but
coupled with Hayes there is tho ever.
lasiing iniamy Of the counting out Of Mr..
Tildcn Ia 1876. To this Mr.. Blaine makes
no allusion, but he refers 10 Clevcland's
taking the nomination from Tilden, when
he should have said Hancock. But there
Is much Of truth in what he says about the
peoples eagcrness TO take up untried men
and push the veterans aside, and pity 'tis,
tits true. The Presidency Is worthy the
honorable ambition Of any man, Il Is an
honor worth working for, and one to be
priEcd, and, while itshould not be reserved
for the Clays or the wcbsters, the Blaincs
or shomans, the Humans or the
Iicndrickses. the people ought not to
treat thom TO n too summary dis.
missal or hastily put them away for
men who are at tho hes, but experiments.
Folk made an excellent Chief Magistrate,
Picrcc's administration was strong aud cf.
fccliyo. aud Clcyeland's has been no
niarkable success. But the Harrison and
Taylor administrations ended disastrously
for the whlg, and SCOTS nomination COW
cred him with ridicule that even with
his weight of services a. a soldier hc could
not overcome. The Democrats were more
lucky than tho Wings. and In Cleveland
have been moro fortunate than the Ro-
publicans since uncoln's death. Tho
dark horses they selected proved In every
instance 10 be prizes. and then they had
platforms Of principle that wcro real and
In perfect keeping with the grnlus Of tho
country and tho aspirations Of the people.