New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-14
THE PRESIDENCY.
HOW TIE REPUBLICANS SHALL CHOOSE
A CANDIDATE.
II The N. Y. tribune.
WASHINGTON, April 10, j

HOW THE REPUBLICANS SHALL CdOooE
...s A CANDIDATE.
Correspondence Of The NJ Y. Tribune
WAsHISGToN, April 10, 1860.
You will bear me witness that during the two
months have been here, have said little or moth
ing upon the subject Of the Presidency.
Ii is as well now, believe, for me 70 sum up the
substance of my observations and reflections on the
subject Yet one can hardly do this without run
ning counter to somebody's prejadices, treading on
somebody's corDs, or offending somebody senslbfii-
ties. Let me Try and express myself without dong
either.
We cannot deny the fact that there is great
dyeIsity. and even distraction, of opinion as regards
men. and not little as regards policy touching
the nomination. But there are some things whicn
NAV he deemed 10 be settled by general consent
E;Tst Il is settled that the Republican party
nroner has never vet had a majority in the States
Necessary to elect President. To go no further,
II has never had majority in Pennsy lyania, 1or IN
New jersey. Yet the combined Opposition OF those
States, including the Republicans, the Americans
and the Anti-LecomptOn Democrats, acting 10
gether have cast decided majority of the popular
vote on more than one occasion since 1856 IN both
those States 1t is also certain that were this com
bined Oppostion in these States asreabe force
az the Republican party in the States which were
carried for Fremont, then the Opposition to the
Democratic organization would be sure of triumph
in the coming Presidential campaign in any event.
The figures show as plain as daylight that the oPpo
stion to the Pro-Slavery Democracy is IN MAJOR
ity in sufficient number of States to elect Pres-
dent
SO far, all is hard, clear, solid ground. And 1t
affords substantial basis for wellassured cOnvic-
ton, amounting to as near a political certainty as
need be- that the Opposition will elect Presl-
dent next time if they unite in the future as they
have united in the past.
Up to this important point in the canvass, there
is general / may say universal, concurrence
among all Republicans and Opposition men Of every
hue at this capital The poorer of the Opposition OF
the Free States, and which Opposition has on more
than one occasion since the last Presidential cleo
ton acted in concert is great enough to choose
President in 1860. So far, then, l repeat, all is
sound, satisfactory conclusive, and unanimous.
Looking upon the subject from this point OF view,
disinterested observer would say, "Surely, then,
" there will be nothing in the way of carrying the
" Presidency against the Slavery Extensonlsts at
" the coming election" He would naturally come
20 this conclusion from what is certain in the case.
The power existing, and being wisely exerted, the
result is inevitable.
Having, then, set forth what is certain in the
case let us look at what is uncertain Let us take
up the subject where diversity of opinion begins.
tits asserted by many that Repubcanism is not only
vital and growing force in our politics, to which
proposition all good Republicans will yield ready
assent; but thatitis rapidly increasing power IN
the country, and which, since 1856, has conquered
the few remaining obstacles which opposed Its sue
cess at that epoch. Evidence of this assertion, IN
any precise or satisfactory form, is wanting. The
view is supported by the alleged merits OF our cause
and by reference to the general results the elections
in the Free States since 1856 But the Connecticut
election turns up as weakener OF the general pro-
position that Republicanism proper is rapidly In
creasing Rhode Island Justly set aside indicating
nothing definite any way. That State is Republican
without doubt. This body of men, be they few or
many, assert that Repubhcanism, pure and simple,
oneht to carry the Free States; and they believe 1t
will carry enough to secure success, If sufficient
energy, resolution, and confidence be infused into
the canvas. In view Of these considerations, they
urge that the foremost man Of the Republicans be
set before the country as their candidate and that
we then 20 into the fight with the purpose to con-
vert those States, like New-Jersey and Pennsylya-
MA for example, that have not hitherto been Re
publican, and so bring them 10 the support OF the
Republican candidate.
At this point, as have said, commences the d.
yersty of opinion that agtates all circles OF Repub-
leans. Right here arises the conflict OF opinion
about men, and about the true policy to adopt in the
emergency And this difference and conflict all
turns upon the position Of things in Pennsylvania
and New-Jersey, and measurably, also, IN Indiana
and Illinois 1t is c0ntended that the two former OF
these States which may be allowed to stand for
Others simils rly crcumstanced never had MAORI
ty OF anything like majority of Republican voters;
and that no election took place in either State,
that furnished any ground for the belief that man
standing upon Republcanism, pure and simple,
without s, mpatby with some of the other important
elements of the Opposition, and without beng
backed and sustained by a well and widely known
reputation for moderation Of views and opinions,
and general conservatism Of character, ever could
carry it.
This conclusion is further urged by cOnsdera-
alton of the disc0rdant elements of the Opposition
in those States, thrown together, not 30 much from
natural affinity for ole another as frQp hostility To
a common adversary. Composed Of numerous
ADti-Lecompton Democrats, very large body OF
Americans, Tariff men, Old Wings, and Hepubll-
cans this Opposition is called, and has alV,ys gone
by the name of the Peoples Party in Pennsylvania,
and ia declared to be- from the nature of its eompo-
nent parts, incapable of being carried in body by
any candidate who, in his position, antecedfnts and
political and personal character, is regarded with
dsfavor by any considerable number of either class
of which il is made Up. Thus it is concluded that,
if the Republicans would make sure OF carrying
these States they must agree upon candidate OF
the same general character with those gentlemen
who have been successfully united upon by the OPP
position of those States in previous contests.
Those who urge these views deny that some of
the more prominent of the Republicans named for
the Office Of President come within the limits laid
down. while they admit that there are others among
them who do. Some are inclined TO present rather
a wide list Of names for whom they think the eec-
toral vote of both States could be cast Others
again narrow the number down to one or two or
Drt i hu Nv