Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-07-03
1899.
Valley Virginian.


Valley Virginian.
The opening Of the political contest i'm
the State of Ohio, which is 10 determine
the strength OF the two great political
narties. in that State, has directed atteu-
lion TO the Presidential campaign of 1872.
and a discussion Of probable presidential
candidates. 1t is conceded on all sides,
that if Mr. Blaine were to express wish
TO have the Republican nomination, he
.could get it. But this he has not and
will not do. Indeed, the fact that he re-
MAINS in President Harrs0n's Cabinet is
conclusive evidence that he has no idea
of allowing his name TO 60 before The
National Republican Convention. Were
II so that nc or his friends contemplated
any such movement, his own seli-respect
and respect for the President, as wei as
the prophecies of the situation, would
have caused him to resign before this.
Mr.. Blaine never in his life stood IN such
a fay orable and commanding light before
the American people. He has shown him
self ey en- greater than his party, and II
MIGHT be said. greater than the Presiden-
CIV, attained through party machinery. lie
has grown in craftsmanship and mental
orasp. since he has been in charge of the
State Department, to such proportions,
that mere partlzans, and partzan politics
have dwarfed into insignificance in the
presence of his great achievements as
| Premier of the Cabinet. His management
of the foreign affairs of the government
J and his discussion of the important Ques-
lions which have come before him in the
past two years, have given opportunity to
l 1
for research and his aptness III applying
historical facts to present, pressing con-
ditions. HIS management OF the samoan
affair of the Havtian embroglio; of the
Beabriug Sea controversy the discussion
of the questions growing out OF the New
/ Orleans massacre, and other matters re-
lating to the State Department.. nave
been so masterful as TO remove all pref
udice. and easily places him in tho 'front.'
rank of the American statesmen that the
country has produced, in the estimation
of political friends and foes. | he Presi-
idency could not add to bis fame, while u
would mar his peace, impair his health,and
invite the assaults of partlzan mallgnahts'
There has been so much of true American
ism in his official course, that all true
Americans admire and revere Tim. lie
could not 90 into a presidential contest
except at the risk of compromising thls
high position. Aud at this time of life, 1t
would not pay in health, in reputation or
in peace and cOuteatment of mind Tor
HIM to do so.
While Mr.. Blaine is considered the cen
trail figure in matters affecting our for
eigp relations, II does not follow that
President Harrison is not entitled to
much of the credit that is due to the adj
mlnistration for its successful solution OF
all the important issues that have been
decided. and tn credit will he accorded
him by all impartial minds. No one
knows this better than Mr. Blaine, as his
own conduct has been such as to leave
the impression on the popular MUD, that
Mr.. Harrison shOud be indOrsed by his
party and be nominated for reelection
From present indications he will be the
nominee of the next Republican Conyen'
ton. Whatever may be the result In
Ohio. il will not weaken the position or
initiate against the strength of the candI-
dacv of the President, although there
will be some opposition manifested, as is
always the case, from the dissatlshed ana
disappoiuted. We look to see the Con-
vention nominate HIM by acclamation,
whether Mckinley or Campbell snail be
elected Governor OF Ohio.
The democratic party stands pretty
much in the same relation to Mr.. CleVe-
land. " lille there has been great deal
of opposition manifested Of late to his
nomination, because of bis views on the
Silver question, we think it entirely prop.
able that his opinion on that issue VIII
have a controlling effect in placing him
before the country to lead bis party IN
1892. Not TO do so, would be practically
a surrender of all the eastern States TO
the Republicans. The financial views OF
the eastern pivotal States are in accord
with the views of MI Cleveland, and an
less the Democratic nominees can carry
New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, In
diana. and the solid South, they cannot
be elected. No one that party could Sc
leet. wou'd be so strong in the three
essential eastern States, and with wise
selection for the second place on the TICK
ct, Indiana maR also be carried, as we
| look at il. Cleveland is the strongest
man the Democracy could nominate
stronger than any other with the great
mass Of his party, and stronger with the
monied Influences of the East, than any
other that could be named. In our opln-
ion his nomination is n necessity to the
hopes of successful contest.
1t is apparent to our mind that the two
parties viii be led as in l5SS, The cam
paign will he exciting and the result
/ doubtful, as it viii be a fair, square
measurement of the strength of the two
great parties, evenly balanced as they
will be, from all appearances, both before
the people aud in the Electoral College.
of course, it IS not expected that the
Third Party will play any important part
in the contest. Good crops will answer
much of the complaint upon which 1t Is
predicated, and the paramount questions
Of tariff and currency that will enter into
it, will range public sentiment on one
side or the other. as it will be maintained
either by the Republicans or Democrats.