New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-14
JUDGE MCLEAN FOR THE PRESIDENCY.

From Our Own Correspondent
WASHINGTON, April 8, 1860.
The recent elections in Connecticut and Rhode
Iland, have at least had the OBJECT of inducing
class of Republicans, who have heretofore counted
upon success with any candidate as certainty, to
qualify some Of their sanguine expectations, and TO
understand that victory can only be achieved by
the united effort of all the elements Of Opposition
upon candidate who has no salient points OF OBJ
lection. However those results may be explsined
or figured out, Ne great fsct stands, that We only
saved Connecticut by the skin of our teeth, and
lost Rhode Island. Let us not deude ourselves
with the idea shat with more adverse circumstances
i'm November, eur position viii be bettered. 1t 10
the part of wisdom to profit by experience; and
this lesson may be turned to useful account if there
be disposition to improve by it's instruction.
A very material change OF opinion in regard to
the Presidential question has occurred here within
the last few weeks, brought about to great extent
by the reflection Of opinion at distance and by the
pressure of responsibility, as the time for selecting
candidates approaches. 1t may be said In all can.
dor that the conviction is now decided that radical
representative man cannot be elected. Nearly all
the Republican speakers who have returned from
Connecticut agree in saying that to insure the State
in November, the candidate at Chicago must be
man of conservative character and antecedents.
The same remark applies with even more force to
Rhode Island, and in this category New-Jersey,
Pennsylvan Indiana, and Illinois must also be
placed. Here are 68 electoral votes to be measure
bly, determined by the choice of the candidate alone
These States are just as faithful to all the principles
which will be involved in the canvass as any Others
but they are in manner controlled by an element
which is not radically Republican, and which must
be reasonably conciliated if success be desirable
Nothing is easier than to lose the election.
The best opinion in Pennsyl vania and New jersey
is decidedly for Judge Mclean as the candidate
who would most certainly command success. He
was their choice in 1856, and had he then been
nominated, would have been elected beyond all
doubt. That is conceded now by all parties, and it
was perfectly apparent four years ago, when he was
set aside against the earnest protetof those States
He has elements of strength which no other candi-
date possesses, and an inappreciabe force which
would attract large vote from the old Democracy
with whom he was identified when the name had
some significance. No such clamor of sectonalism
could be raised against him as defeated Fremont
The country would at once acquese in his election
and conviction would spread everywhere that a
safe, prudent, and patriotic statesman had been
chosen, whose very presence in the White House
would bring back something of the ancient dignity
of the Office ard give assurance that integrity and
principle were to be recognized In the administra
ton of the Government.
He could carry every doubtful State triumphantly.
Rhode Island, Connecticut New-Jersey, Indiana,
and Illinois would be secured by large majorities,
and the certainty Of victory would swell the vote
greatly elsewhere Judge McLean's opinion on the
bred Scott case is O platform broad enough and
strong enough for the Chicago Convention to stand
upon, and his spoess life and eminent career fur
nish materials for canvass which do not attach to
other candidates. He is self-made man, the
matured growth of our institutions, who, to-day, is
stronger before the nation if properly presented as
candidate, than either of the great parties. The
only objection which has been suggested in any
quarter, is his age and that may be readily disposed
Of He is eight years younger than Judge fancy,
who still preSides the Supreme Court, or than
Lord Palmerston who rules the British Ministry.
No man of his years is in finer preservation, phys
icay and Intellectually, or capable of more endur-
ance and labor. His temperate habits, consistent
life, and methodical training have preserved all
bis faculties intact and to-day he is as young in APP
pearance and ylgor as at any time within the last
fifteen years. During the recent illness OF Judge
fancy, he dispatched more business than was al
most ever known before by the profession, and be
has now gone to the duties of the heaviest Circuit
in the United States, with calendar of 2,700
causes 10 face.
His position before the country is such that every
other candidate might defer to his nomination with
out the least sense Of dsparagement. No man ieels
more deeply than he does the necessity for the cor
reetiOn OF the corruptions which have become iast
ened on the Government like barnacles on lno wv.
tom OF ship, or who would more sterny in,s. aPo