The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-29

1t is a striking coincidence that although
JAMES GILLEsrIE BLAINE and DAVID BEN
NETT HILL are to-day the most formidable
Presidential candidates offered by the two
cOntesting parties. that splendid distinction
Is the prOudest honor OF neither. Although
the part Of Senator HILL is not yet finished.
1t happens that each OF these antagonistic
statesmen. working within his own party,
stands conspicuous for greater service to
the nation than has fallen to the opportu-
mites OF any other public men of their time.
In 1876 BLAINE was the defender and bull
wark.Of American democracy against the
attempt OF the preceding Fedora! Admins
tration to change the usage OF Presidential
succession by the election OF GRANT to a
third term. BLAINE was in himself the
centre OF the Democratic-Re Republican oppo-
sition. He was the inspiration and tho
general OF the Republican forces arrayed
against the scheme. He was against it's
principle with every breath. and he fought
1t from the start like bold and seepess
patriot. He took up from the first the bur-
den OF the defence against that vehement and
passionate canvass. and sustained it openly
down to the Republican National Conren-
tion.where the spirit Of his fight prevailed in
the defeat Of GRANT and the nomination OF
GARFIELD. A great factor aftervard in
overcoming GARFIELD's unusual disqualiti-
cations as q candidate was tho Republican
impulse to confirm the aEt-third-term
triumph by electing its representative.
BLAINE went down in the struggle. but lie
rendered his country q service for which
tho overwhelming majority OF its citizens
must always feel that they owe him re-
spect and admiration. and for which, in
spite Of ineradlcable craftsmanship. there will
always be warm spot for him in every
genuine Democratic heart.
To tho dlsmay OF all true Democrats.
especially to the older politicians familiar
with the troubles OF the past. who had
hoped that such party discontinue might
never DO known again, this same danger
Gus complication has shown its ugly head
within their camp. Between GRANTS
campaign for third nomination in 1880
and GROVER CLEvELANDs calrpaign
for third nomination in 1899 there
Is no essential difference. Both mean a
third term OF the Presidency with what
ever additional terms might follow, and
a square reputation OF the immortal con-
this principle received from the
pen and policy OF THOMAS JEFFERSON. As in
the time OF the great Republican crisis. one
hears to-day tho specious apology for the |
Unsuitable aspirant that his extraordinary |
tenure OF Office would not he con- |
tlnuous. Ho has been out Of Office |
Tor while. He is again II fresh and |
virgin candidate like other statesmen. I'm
'er Tho circumstances. there would be sufll-
Gent distinction between his SimDlo REIN
statement in tho Executive Office and his
aHowed settlement there to stay. The time
has need ofhim. and the country calls. Some
OF tho more hesitating Clevelandites, un-
like tho Republican third termers, who
never finched even at the suggestion of
the fourth term which would have come
upon their candidates second reelection.
plead that CLEVELAND won't ask for a
third term. Bosh! II elected next fall. he
would try to renominate himself In 1896