The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-10
THE TRUTH ABOUT BLAINE
He Can Have the Nomination in
1892 if He Should
Want 1t.
Fo Wants the Presidency, But
Isn't Sure He Can Be
Elected.
The Republican Nomination One Thing.
The Presidency Another-The
Question of His Health.

This is probably the truth about Blaine:
He can have the republican nomination for
president in 1892 by simply saying that he
wants it, says the Portland Oregonian. He
wants the presidency as much as he ever
did; but realizes that nomination is not
equivalent to election. He is in a chronic
blue funk about his health and fears almost
equally the drain upon his vitality of the
shock of defeat and of the lahors of the
presidency. lie wants the presidency, but
wan to live to enjoy it. He wants the
presidency. but does not want to be q de
foated candidate again. Fear of defeat and
fear for his health unite to hold his hand
back from taking the nomination that is
within his grasp.
No close and intelligent observer of cur
rent events can Goubt that Blaine can have
the republican nomination if he will. 1t is
bis by the same prescriptiye title which gave
lilden a perpetual option upon tho demo
cratic nomination from 1875 to his death.
Blaine could nave had the nomination in
1883; he can have it in 1892; ii he is alive in
| 1896, it will probably be at his disposal
then. The truth about Mr.. Blaine is that
the republican patty has been at his mercy
since the solid phalanx of the Grant-C onk-
ling Logan forces nrumbled to pieces under
his shrewd Diplomacy in the early days of
Garfeld's administration. The nomination
and election of Garfield, which WAS a
! Blaine move on the political chess
board, gave him a hold on tho repub-
lean machinery which has never been
broken. Conkling admitted defeat; Arthur
had to suffer IT.; the muCwumps left the
party TO Blaine and became democrats.
( Every change has strengthened MS lower in
/ the party, and no new leader has arisen
| strong enough 10 dispute 1T Buccesstuliv.
/ lie broke the opposition and masterel the
, party in tEe few short months of Gariield's
! term. and has ruled it ever SINGS with grow
ing ease and power. lie was
| stronger i'll the Chicago conven-
ton Of 1883 than III that of
ls5i, though the latter nominated him and
tins fos mer Harrison. 1t is not exact to say
THAT Blame nominated Harrison. lie was
gurG enough OF his own power in the party
to have little choice among candidates.
But harrison owed his nomination To
hlpipe's refusal. SO will tho man who is
nominated by the republican national con
ventiou next wear.
LIES Is far from saying that Blaine can
have the presidency If he wants it. The
republican nomination is ono thing and tbs
presidency another. 1t is one thing TO con
troll the machinery of n party nni to sway L
nominating convention, and another to
curry a popular election. 1t ia doubtful
whether Eialne's growing t length in his
PARTY mas been matched by incteasing pop.
ularity III tue whole country. Ills nam,
would evoke more enthusiasm now than il
lh'f, but there is small reason to bpliev,
tEAt 1t would attract more votes, the coun
Try over. Ii he has gained any popuiai
sl'enEtA IN eI"ht yetEs, IL i4 IN the rtpub
mean stairs OF the northwest, wiz re be ina,
be relatively stronger with the farmers al
nance set than any other republican
But he has gained no strength IL