The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-03-04
Presidential Suggestions.

Who will be the republican candidate for
the presidency is an open question until the
convention assemblies in June. Till then the
fair and free expression of preferences is in
order. But there are certain facts that should
not be forgotten by the friends of the various
candidates. And one of the most important
of these is, that the presidential contest must
necessarily turn upon the merits of this ad-
ministration. The republicans elected MIR.
Lincoln and have defended his leading meas
ures. 1t is republican administration, and
the republican party is responsible for it and
cannot in any way ge. rid of the responsible
ty. What madness, then, is it for those VINO
prefer Mr. Chase OF some one else to MIR.
Lincoln to begin BY an onslaught upon the
administration, which comedies to the enc my
the strongest objections against it. See, for
instance, the Pomeroy Chase circular adopted
by the Connectlc 1t state convention as con-
elusive proof that change in the national
administration is necessary. The man must
be either fool or maniac who thinks the
election CAN be carried by the republicans on
the issue of condemnation of their own ad-
minstration. And these men seem to forget
the people don't-:hat the worst blunders
of the administration have been committed
at their own prompting. If the party can be
induced 70 impale itself in this way, it makes
no difference who is nominated. 1t may as
well be Wendell Phillips or Fred Doug glass
as anybody.
AS popular opinion Enthusiastically indicates
itself, if the election were 10 occur to-day
President Lincoln would be reelected by
sweeping majorities in every state. But it
does not follow that such will be the fact
next November, or even next June, and on
account of the manifest liability to great and
sudden charges in a period SO eyentful as
this, it would have been wiser to have defer
red the nominating convention to within a
couple of months of the election. Even in
the three month to elapse before the nemina-
ton, it is quite possible that circumstances
may arise to indicate some other man as
stronger before the people than Mr.. Lincoln
If he and his friends at Washington devote
themselves to presidential strategy, to the
neglect of the war, an alienation OF popular
feeling is almost certain to Occur. Mr.. Lin
coin stands firm on his record thus far, not
withstanding some obvious defects, and sue
cess in the spring campaign and in the pend
ing reconstruCtlve operations will place him
in stronger position in June than he now
occupies. 1t is not because the people think
Mr.. Lincoln the greatest or best man that
might be found for president that there is
this general feeling for giving him a re-elec-
ton. 1t is because they recognize the SUBJ
stantlal integrity and wisdom with which he
has acted, while his own party has been torn
by the widest differences and antagonisms
because he has adapted his measures so adj
mirably to the course of events as to aver,
the mos, imminent danger of CONFUSION and
anarchy in the country; and because he has
proved himself eminently judicious and safe
and carried the government steadily through
the EXTREMIST perils, that they feel that some
thing at least Is due TO him in the way Of
honor and gratitude.
There is, besides, a reasonable doubt wheth-
er any other man, no matter how much great.
er or better as statesman per Sc, can be
elected. We are bv no means sure that i,
will be an easy thing to elect the republican
candidate next November. The administers
. ton party is at this moment in danger OF
defeat in New Hampshire and Connecticut
and if they cannot carry New England be-
yond peradventure what can they hope for
elsewhere The whole matter resolves itseli
into this:
If the republican party were so strong as
TO defy all opposition, it might consider only
, the man, and put up its best man for the
Presidency; but it is compelled also to look
at the situation Of the government and Of
parties, and must therefore put up the mar
who is best in existing circumstances and
there is still another and essentia! considera-
ton. the man must not on " be the best fl.
ted to the circumstances but the one most
likely to be elected. Neither of these points
can be determined eight months in advance
: Of the election. Hence the folly Of absolute
committal now to any man, and the equa
folly Of killing off those from whom We mus
select either by premature and eXtravagan,
+ advocacy or depreciation. And it may a
! WEI b. considered settled thing that i
there is to De from this time forth republi
Cali party. il Congress and out, shaping it,
: action and talk so as to make capital agains
= the President and to bring his administration
i into contempt. :" it's no use fin the dem
+ ocraiS ai.l sweep the board almost withou
~ ., J.