The Portland daily press., 1872-02-10
THE PRESS.
SATURDAY MORNING, FEB. 10. 1872.
The Yice-Presidency,

Mr.. EDIToR,-The probable denomination
of Gen. Grant by the Republican party is re-
garded as somewhat of foregone conclusion
The inability of even his opponents in the
party to unite on any one renders his chances
all the more certain.
But in regard to the Vice Presidency there
seems to be more difference of opinion The
present Vice President, Schuyler Colfax, has
announced repeatedly his intention of retir-
ing to private life at the close of the present
Presidential term. While we would not for
one moment detract from his sterling uuali-
ties of heart and mind, or lessen one parti-
Gle the extensive and deserved respect which
is everywhere given him, yet we fail to see
any good reason why we should not choose
this time another candidate from the large
number of equally deserving and efficient
men. Mr.. Colfax has had large honors be-
slowed upon him by the Republican party,
and undoubtedly he would, as he has so often
SAID, prefer to retire to private life. The Re-
publican party, we think, will be the more
strengthened by nominating for Vice-Presi-
dent an Eastern man. Why should the West
have both President and Vice President
again? We do not argue that such a'ticket
is not sometimes advisable either for West,
East, North or South, but it should be
the exception, and not be done except
in cases of imperative necessity. 1t is
not an equitable proceeding to all sec
tions. We subjoin the following from
the Boston Trdrelter, advocating the name
of Hon. HENRY Wilson for the nomination
of Vice-President. Mr.. Wilson is one of the
people, and man of upright sterling quail
ties and sound Republican principles The
masses revere him, and he would receive the
labOring mems and temperance votes, besides
harmonizing the whole party. Says the
Traveller:
In selecting his successor we have witnessed
with pleasure and satisfaction the turn of the
public mind towards the Hon. Henry Wilson.
1t is not too much to say that the Republicans
OF Massachusetts have earned for their State
this high position in Republican admnistra-
ton. Neither IS 1t too much to say that Sena-
tor Wilson has secured for himself national
reputation which entities him to the proposed
distinction. One of the earliest defenders of
those principles upon which the Republican
party came into power, he has, during a long
and arduOus public career, supported those
principles with a consistency and determina-
ton almost unparalleled. His counsels have
always been guided by a sense of justice and in
tegrity, and in the most trying hour he has new
er faltered. Thrown by good fortune into the
Senate of the United States at an early period
of his political career, he has exerted power
ful influence in cultivating the public senti-
ment up to the standard of the highest princi-
pies of civil equality and right; and he has done
as much as any man among us to elevate the
political tone of the country. Few men in DO
htical life have pursued so consistent q course
of moral progress in society and the State as he,
and few men have done more to prove that
simplicity of habits, purity of purpose an un-
sullied reputation and entire freedom from We
nality and corruption can be preserved through
a long and high public career He presents in
all his habits and Thoughts an admirable speci-
men of what public life may be under Repub-
lican government.
That his name would give strength to the
Republican ticket cannot for a moment be de-
MED. His name has long been watchword in
the Republican party. Through all its early
years the people learned to follow where he led.
In the darkest hours he kept his light burning
on the watchtower in the Senate and the
friends of freedom throughout the country
guided their steps by its ray His nomination
would encourage the faithful and true, and
would bring to the immediate councils of the
administration the most valuable experience
and the sounaest Judgment We present his
name, therefore, for the Vice Presidency, con-
hdent of hearty response from the Republi-
can party throughout the country.
The candidate for the Vice Presidency
should not be prejudged, but let there be
fair and good tempered rallying of the friends
the convention be heartily endorsed and the
whole ticket be made handsomely victorious.
Several OF the Western States and probably
Massachusetts and New Hampshire will go
for Senator Wilson. The Republicans of
Maine should not yet commit themselves to
any one but canvass the field and make the
wisest selection. We hope it will be Hon.
Henry Wilson. Y.