The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-01
THE PRESIDENCY.
Special Correspondence of the ~ Y. Tribune.
WASuINcTON AO,.,J Ok 1876

Special Correspondence of the N. Y. Tribune.
WASHINGTON, April 25, 1856.
1t is absurd to suppose that any strength can
be lent to the Republican cause in the coming
Presidential canyass by q name. The election
has got to be carried on the strength of the
cause, or not at all. Who the candidate is, is
matter of small consequence, so he be true
man, and q man not specially obnoxious to any
widespread existing popular prejudice. Among
the individuals who come within this category,
there is not much to choose. No one of them
can either essentially strengthen or materially
weaken the ticket. Any attempts to run after
inveterate Hunkerism on the one hand, or the
floating vote on the other, at any sacrifice what
ever, will this time, we feel convinced, prove to
be a grave and Notifying error. We under
took to proptiate both elements in the last can.
vass, and the result was a dead failure, which
we ought to profit by. Our chances, in doing
it, seemed to be good, and they certainly were
far better than they are likely to be again.
These are times when the currents of opinion
on public affairs have no decided set any way,
and when, after eddying about in counter and
purposeless drifts, a slight thing gives them di-
rection and force. This has been the case in
our political history more than once. But it
will not do to confound such epochs with the
present. Such is not the condition of the pub
lie mind In the North and in the South there
is strong and determined current of sentiment
and opinion upon the great question of the day.
These currents are not in any degree under
the control of, or even subject to modification
by, the power of any man in this nation. Per-
sonal popularity adds nothing to their force, and
diminishes nothing of their strength. They set
straight on to plain point. The sooner, there
fore, the too prevalent idea is abandoned, of the
strength of this man or the weakness of that, as
the Presidential candidate of the Anti N ebraska
men, except where the specific strength or
weakness to decided extent can be clearly
pointed out, the sooner we shall approach the
true starting point in the selection. 1t is of no
use to be balancing little considerations, or
figuring up picsyune differences. Least of all,
is it wise to be estimating the value of imagi-
nary individual advantages.
We think the election of Mr.. Chase as Gov.
ernor of Ohio, last year, strikingly illustrates
the true moral of the coming election. He
held the position of fit man, not repugnant
to popular prejudice, and was borne into office
by the simple strength of the great idea of the
eanvass-hoatility to the removal of the Mis-
souri, restriction, and Freedom for kansas. An.
other man might have done as we'll, or better,
perhaps, but no other man could have done as
well, unless he had fully and entirely represent
ed the vital idea of the contest. That election
furnishes the Republicans clear chart of their
policy on the national theatre, and it discloses
a clearer view of the real power of the issue
on which they are to fight the Presidential bat
tie than they can easily find elsewhere. y.s.P.