The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-25
1uY REpuRLICAN MIDDLE.

The Republicans have no doubt been highiy
.r,.,.sined at the fractional fights which have
been going on in the Democratic RANKS anu
have thought it a very pretty quarrel a. "
stood. sincerely hoping oil the time mat
whether Cleveland killed Hill. or Hill killed
Cleveland. or they each did Kill the o'net' "
would in every way make their gam Dut
our little Cleyeland-Hill family row Is aOou'
settled now. and il has come our turn 70 DO
amused at the expense Of our opponents
Abundant opportunity for this amusement
il being given in the Harrison-Blaine squaOOie,
which at present occupies the attention OK
the Republican party. Mr.. Blame ia'oS'
utterance-''I will do nothing to prevent my
nomination. / have made my last dehlaI
has caused sensation in administration
ranks in Washington that has seldom ever Deeh
seen in political circles. The antagonists OF tne
President interpreting this as meaning lhAv
Blaine will accept the nomination
tondered him without solicitation or EFFORT on
his part. are moving heaven and eafth' - i"i
a. they can. 10 compass the success OF 'ne''
favorite. while the administration when nus
control Of the Republican machine Is also
etraininc every nerve to make certain inc
nomination Of Mr.. Harrison. And 80 u goes
Ouav. Clarkson Foraker and others IN
scrunylous fellows all who hesitate at moth
ing 10 carry their point. are jealousy ehgaReN
on the side of the Plumed Knight. ana the'
are formidable enough TO keep the harrison
men alarmed. and the White House IN a con-
slant state Of perturbation
Blaine himself has acted very shrewdly and
with cunning that is eminently character
istic Of him. When he accepted q place IN
the cabinet Of President Harrison be must
have given a quasi pledge that he would not
become a candidate in opposition TO his Chief
and vet it is noticeable that IN every denial OF
his candidacy he has made be has always lett
a loop.hole which would enable him TO accept
the Office under certain conditions. lie has
done this too with design, because he
well knew that he was the most popular man
in his party and could command the nomina-
ton at will and he did not
wish 10 announce himself openly as
candidate. because he was anxious 10 re-
main Secretary Of State. and. Of course. could
not 90 so I ne openly hHthBoA4@'A 1"D 4N7'-
dent. and because he wished TO hold of until
the last minute. 80 as make full calm survey
Of tie field. and not enter the race at
all if he saw that there was absolutely no
hope for the election of q Republican Presi-
dent He is still somewhat uncertain on this
point. and s still coquetting with the Presi-
dent on one side. and with his henchmen on
the other. but as tho time for holding the
convention is getting briefer and breter, ho
is getting bolder and holder, until now very
little doubt remains that should the nomina-
ton come to him unsolicited and be will take
good care beforehand to so arrange matters
that it will apparently do so he Will accept II.
The time has come, therefore. for the Dem
ocrats to enjoy very pretty Republican
quarrel until after the MINNEAPOLIS Conyen-
ton acts As to tho final outcome Of the
campaign they have no great cause for un-
easinoss. for unless the people have very ma
terially changed their sentiments since 1880,
with Tariff Reform as the issue, whether the
tickets in the field are Cleveland against
Blaine. Cleveland against Harrison. or Cleye-
land against any one else, the result at the
poA next November will be the same. and
Cleveland will 90 into the White House on
the 4th of March, 1893.