The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-07
THE PREMEDITArED ASSAULT ON
BLAINE.

There is no doubt that the friends of
Mr.. Harrison carefully arranged for a dis
reputable assault on Mr.. Blaine at least
two weeks ago. On Friday, June 3, the
PosT-ISTE1LIGKNcER received q printed
slip mailed from Chicago some four days
before, announcing that the Graphic in its
issue Of June 4 would say editorially:
BLAINE vs. HARRISON.
II Ia altogether probable that Mr.. Blaine Will
havo an opportunity at Minneapolis to learn
whether or not he has but to ask for the presi-
Dental nomination In order to secure 1t with
unanimous acclaim. He IS unQuestionably in
Esany respects both the strongest and the weak
est man the Republicans could possibly nomi-
nate He Is strong as the embodiment OF the
snti-liarrison sentiment. which thrives chiefly
on the enmity OF disappointed spoilsmen Of the
Matt Quay variety.
He also has the prestige of = long and brill
liant public record and 10 every where honored az
one of the foremost statemen OF the age True,
he has no war record. but his peace record is
one that 10 calculated to ''fre the American
heart"
To offset tho prestige OF his magnetism" the
influence OF the hearts no has fred and that of
the lsurels in prospect he occupies the unique
position of the only Republican candidate who
has broken the record OF Republican presiden-
tial success -ince the birth OF the party
IL the Republican party desires a repetition OF
the disaster of eight years ago IL will at Mime
apolis set In motion the same disastrous causes
1t can nominate Mr.. Blaine, but we hazard the
prophecy that il viii not and could not elect
him II IL did. Mr.. Harrison has given the
country clean, upright, vigorous adminstra-
ton in all its departments. His conduc; of the
state department during the prolonged illness
of the secretary entities him. and him alone to
the distinction of the highest achievements in
our foreign policy. 1t is 10 be hoped that the
disappointed spoiismen who must avenge them
selves on Mr.. Harrison will have the compassion
sospare Mr.. Blaine the anguish of associated de-
feat.
This article reached Seattle before il was
published in the Graphic at Chicago: il
was prepared evidently two weeks ago.
placed in type and then scattered broad
cast over the country in the form of a
printed slip so that the Harrison press
could print and comment upon il contem-
poraneous with its Chicago appearance.
This is legitimate politics enough, but
itshows clearly that the Harrison gun vas
loaded with lies and depreciation of Mr..
Blaine considerably in advance of the
week of the convention and the resigna-
tion OF Mr.. Blaine.
The statement that Mr.. Blaine's
friends are represented chiefly by ''disap-
pointed spoilsmen of the Matt Quay va
rieiy" is absurd. Mr.. Platt. Mr.. Warner
Miller, and Mr.. Fassstt. of New York, are
certainly not disappointed spoilsmen. Mr..
Miller has been entirely occupied with the
Nicaragua canal; has been in Europe or
on this coast daring all the political agita-
ton that has vexed New York for three
years past. 1t was 10 please Mr..
Platt that President Harrison &C.
eepted Collector Erharit's resignation
and appointed Mr.. PIatt's friend
Tassett TO the succession. Mr.. Fassett. as
candidate for governor. certainly had the
support of the federal administration.
Certainly Plat. Miller and Fasse,t have
no quarrel with the president Is "disap.
pointed spoilsmen;" they simply saw
voters of New York that il is not exped,-
snt to renominats Mr.. Harrison. Mr..
Henry c. Payne, member of the national
committee from Wisconsin, is certainly
not "a disappointed spokesman" for Mr.,
Payne was opposed to Mr.. Blaine in lsS(
end 1854 He simply says that, in his
Judgment. Mr.. Harrison cannot carry Wis.
consin. while Blaine or Sherman or Nc.
kinley can achieve victory.
Ex-Speaker Thomas h. Reed, the Con.
sresslcnal leader Of the Republicans
has never been "a spokesman" hui
he deems the denomination Of Mr.
Narsison inexpediens- The argulsa>