The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-04-30
POLITICAL PROSPECTS.

1ne hepuOllcanS, II We may Judge
fr0E the zeal of their prominent men Il,
pushing their respective claims for the
Presidential nomination. are very con
fident of success in 1892. If the ad-
versity of last year had seriously d.
mioished their hopes there would not
be so vigorous contest for the nomi-
nation at so early day. The contest
is begun and will wax warmer with
the summers heat. III Ohio, the Ma
tional League, with more zeal than
wisdom, was made the occasion of a
boom for Secretary Blaine. In doing
this Mr.. BlaiMe's friends caused re-
action somewhat against him, on &C.
count of the silence observed by them
In regard to President Harrison. Gov.
Foraker was chiefly responsible for
this. as in his impulsive speech in ia
vor of his friend Blaine. lie neglected
to give Harrison credit for the work
of the administrations: The c0nse-
quence was that Mr.. Harrison's
an unexpected energy.
It is undoubted that Mr.. Blaine has
the enthusiastic adn iration and devo-
tiOn Of the great majority of the Re-
publicans of the country. No man,
since the days of Jackson and Clay, has
had such numerous and enthusiastic
following as Mr.. Blaine has today.
And that following has become
stronger as the years have gone by.
the accusations and aspersions of other
years have lost their force. lie is con-
fessed by all intelligent men Of what
ever party, that he is the foremost and
most trusted statesman our country
has. When real craftsmanship is de-
manded, as weiehty problems are to he
solved, or threatening emergencies
faced. no man is looked to with such
confidence as he.
But, we are ashamed to say. the
American people have an ugly habit.
when honors are to be conferred, of
thrusting mpdiocrity into the front,
and relegating brains to tue rear. The
men capable of the best service are
often pushed to one side, on the plea
that their valued qualities and deeds
have made them 80 many enemies that
they are not available as candidates.
Mr.. Blaine's eminence of ability and
valuable service is his weight of him
drance. 1t ought not to be 80. Bat
things are not as they ought to he in
this world.
The magnetic qualities of Mr. Blaine,
his power to call into lis service Il
larger number of enthusiastic workers
than any other living man, also Call
into existence most malignant, un~
scrupuious opposition. lie has the
place III popular esteem too many as
pirants covet. Each imagines him to-.
he the one impeachment in their path of
promotion. A man long in public life
has to cross the views and projects of
too mtny men, to be without fierce and
effective opponents. It remains to be
seen whether Mr.. Blaine can ut this
time overcome these oppositions.
But for the name Of Blaine that of
Harrison would be on the Republican
tongue as that of Cleveland is among
the Democrats. Harrison is bv no
means the mediocre or inferior man his
detractols would make the people be-
lieve he is. He is no cipher to be de-
spised, even when surrounded by brainy
men. He is every way qualified for
his high Office and of his fidelity aid
efficiency no complaint can be offered.
He has given the country u wise, safe
and prosperous government. lie has
not created strong antagOnisms. Next
to Blaine he is strong with the party
to which he belongs, and by many will
be considered more available candid
ate than his Secretary of State would
be.
Ex-Speaker Reed is spoken of as will
ling to take the honor and the risks of
the nomination. He doubtless de-
sires to give notice to the country that
he wishes t. be remembered when his
turn comes. He is young and can wait.
We do not believe the present mention
of his name will amount to more than
this.
At the present outlook the signs are
that Mr.. Blaine can get the nomina-
tion if he sets out to gain it. If Blaine
is not the candidate it is pretty certain
that Harrison will be. But many
changes may take place before the day
for the nomination comes.
THE LEADING ISSUE.
We give our view of the situation of
politics so far as the Republican nomi-
nations are concerned. A word on the
issues presented may be in place. On
this point there can be no serious
doubt. Events have predetermined
the leading issue of the next national
campaign.
The nation will be called to pass up.
on the protective policy Of which that
party is the reliable defender. The
party will not labor under the disad-
vantage it was embarrassed with when
the elections Of last November Oc-
Cured. The Republican party had
passed revenue bill which had gone
through the severest ordeal of criti-
cism, both fair and foul, ever encOun-
tered by any party measure of national
Importance. An interested combina-
tion, organized in Europe and the
United States, with large capital under
its control, proceeded to scandalize the
new law and prejudice uniformed
people against it. Between the adj
journment of Congress and the occur-
renee of the election, there was not
time to 50 explain and defend the Me-