Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1860-02-25

TIA PRESIDENTIAL QuEsrfoE.-The latitude
Of opinion, which is at once the glory and in-
convenience Of the Republican party, is having
its natural effect al this time 10 the matter, OF
selecting leader for the approaching campaign.
While one portion see nothing but disaster and
defeat, 10 selecting man from within the party,
a steady and consistent opponent of slavery, aud
ton Of the present, wholesome and formidable
condition OF sentiment on that subject, another
class, equally earnnst, look with distrust and
alarm, at the exercise of that policy, which, TO
secure present success, seeks to avail itsel OF
sentiment, though nominally anti-slavery, has
never been identified in action, il indeed in pur-
pose, with the conservative opponents Of the
institution. The Encouragement, likely TO
result from cause of such apparent neglect
of those 10 whom we are indebted for our
present commanding position, they apprehend
will work greater evil to the Republican pa
ty than an honorable deieat-a.. ..retirement-from
the contest in good order, and in fidelity to our
friends aud principles. On this subject the n.
York Evening Post, no mean authority, by the
way, holds the following sentiments.
Afie. discussing the ends and aims Of the
Republican party, it proceeds to say that it
sought TO select its Presidential candidates
from among its own men, and not to go outside
Of its own ranks under any consideration what
ever. If those opponents of the administra-
tion who have no stable organization of their
own are 10 earnest in what they profess, they
will have no difficulty in voting for such men as
we present But il they insist upon our taking
their men as the sole condition Of their votes,
it Will show that they are not sincere in their
cooperation, but in fact had rather see the
Democratic party succeed than allow truly
Republican administration. To select our can
didaies from among those who labored so ear
nestly to defeat US in 1885, would be degrading
as well as suicidal If we are willing TO have a
man who stands upon the same ground as Fill
more, how can we justify ourselves for not hav-
ing voted for Fillmore the last time But in,
deed, if we are willing to take such a man now,
we had best by all means take Fillmore himself
with bis prestige Of experience and statesman
like knowledge and habits.
But DO real Republican is willing to take
the back track now, when the tide OF public
feeling against the slave power is so much high.
er than it ever was before. II the outsiders
will vote with US for our men, give them all
due credit and let them have for their reward
the blessings of q renovated government and
country rescued from dishonor. If they will
not do this, they might better defeat us in the
election than destroy US after it, which they
would be sure to do il we give the power into
the hands of their men.
"W ith such men as Seward aud Chase, Banks
and Lincoln, and Others in plenty, let US have
two Republicans representative men, to vote
for. Let rs have candidates, first Of all, who
win unite and consolidate our own ranks, and
prepare us for further service. Better come out
Of the campaign as we did last time, united and
consolidated and full of confidence and resolu-
tion, though defeated, than to win a nominal
victory, which shall leave the power in the
hands Of those who have no sympathy with US,
and ourselves disheartened and demoralized"