The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-04
sRxRxx or xHz PRESS.
Editorial Opinions ofthe Leading Journals
upon Current TopiOs-Compiled Every
Day for the Evening Telegraph
THE NEW YORK DEMOCRATS AND THE
PRESIDENCY.

THE NEW YORK DEMOCRATS AND THE
PRESIDENCY.
From the NJ Y. Sun.
The New York Democracy ought to exert
q powerful influence in the next National
Convention of their party This is due to
the number of the electoral votes which the
State is pretty sure to cast for the Demo-
cratic candidate, and to the high standing in
the party of some of the leading statesmen,
and to the not less important fact that their
supporters can contribute an immense amount
of money for the expenses of the canvass
Holding this vantage ground, the Democrats
of this State may perhaps be able to designate
the Presidential standard bearer.
1t has been too hastily assumed in some
quarters that the Democracy of New YORK
have no candidates of their own whom they
intend to press for the nomination In 1872;
that they favor the selection of Western
man; and that the great mass of them second
the aspirations of Mr.. Hendricks We think
this is a mistake. The party in this State,
taken as a whole, have at least three csudi-
dates, and we will name them in the order
of their seniority. They are Horatio Sey-
mour, Sanford E. Church, aud John L. Hoff-
man.
Governor Seymour ranks among the fore
most statesmen of the country. Though
trained in the conservative school of Van
Buren, and Marcy, he has kept pretty well up
to the ideas of our more progressive times,
while he has shown commendable skill in
steering clear of the feuds which have of late
years distracted the party in this State, not
infrequently arraying the rural Democracy
against Tsmmany Hall, with both of which,
however, he has always stood we'll. In 1868
he showed as much courage as tact, when he
went to the West on his famous stumping
tour after the October elections; courage, be-
cause those elections had demonstrated that
by no possibility could he escape defeat in
November; tact, in ignoring dead issues,
and combining his speeches almost wholly to
questions OF trade, finance, and taxation,
which he knew were in year or two to oc-
cupy that place in the public mind so long
engrossed by slavery and its adjuncts. AS he
was beaten in 1868 by General Grant on what
will be treated as defunct issues in 1872,
Governor Seymour will, if the Republicans
are 80 beside themselves as to renominate
Grant, very likely become the Democratic
candidate, and would certainly be elected
over the man who defeated him four years
previously.
Mr.. Church is disciple of Tompkins aud
Wright, who were SO long leaders to the pro-
gressive wing of the New York Democracy.
He has an excellent war record, is highly
popular with the masses, always outruns his
associates on the same ticket has heretefore
filed with ability and credit the responsible
Offices of Comptroller, Lieutenant g overnor,
and President of the Canal Board, was the
most conspicuous Democrat in our late Con-
stitutional Convention, and is now, with
health fully restored, winning distinction as
the chief Judge of the highest judicial tri-
bunal in the State. A statesman OF acknow-
lodged capacity, and standing quite aloof
from all factions which have disturbed the
harmony of the party both in New York and
elsewhere, he would be powerful candidate
for the Presidency.
Perhaps we do Governor Hoffman injustice
in representing him as a competitor for the
nomination next year. Some of his intimate
friends say he is not, but on the contrary as
sert that he is of the opinion that inasmuch
as the Democratic candidate in 1864 was
from New jersey and in 1868 from New York,
he ought not now to be selected from the
East. There is muchforce in this view of the
situation; for, though New York is almost
certain to go for the Democratic nominee
next year. undoubtedly the great maj ority of
the electoral votes by which he is elected
must come from States lying west of the Alle-
phepies. and therefore that section of the
Union may we'll claim the candidate. Cover
nor Hoffman, too, may naturally think that
if he throws his influence now in favor of 9
Western candidate, the compliment may be
reciprocated in 1876, and he thus enjoy
the honor of running for President of the
United States in the year when the whole
American people will be celebrating the one
hundredth anniversary of their Declaration
of Independence. However, if the Conven
ton should desire to place Governor Hoff
man in the field, we presume he would MOI
emulate the example of Caesar and put aside
the crown once too often, but rather, lik,
Barkis, might prove to be willing. The fol
lowers of st. Tammany are not won't to de
cline honors of that description.
We advise the Democracy of other part
of the Union to keep sharp eye on thei
brethren in this State, and be careful in tn,
selection of delegates to the National Con
vention. Sbrewd, active, plausible, full o
devices, lavish of promises, and overhowin,
with greenbacks, if the New York magnate
set their hearts upon nominating one o
their number for the Presidency, the unso
phisticated delegates from the rural State
may be sure that they will succeed.