Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-02-14
The Vice Presidency.
From the Missouri Democrat.

A Washington dispatch says the
President, the Cabinet and the polite
ians at Washington are of the opinion
that the next Vice President should be
selected from one of the Eastern States.
We do not believe the President has
said any such thing, because to do SO
would be to pre-suppose his own re-
nomination, which, however certain it
may be, has not been talked of, or ad-
vocated by himself AS to the Cabinet,
we don't know that their right or IN
terest in the matter is greater than that
of an equal number of men in other
walks of life; and concerning the poll
ticians at Washington, we venture to
hint that the less they say on the sub
iect the better for the subject.
But since the positive declination of
Mr.. Colfax-a fact which we regret,
inasmuch as we look upon him as an
able and faithful public servant, the
question of the Vice Presidency is open
for discussion, and the presentation of
candidates is in order. A number of
circumstances combined four years ago
to bring about violation of the geo
graphical proprieties in the nomination
of President and Vice President from
the adjoining States. The East was
divided, and the South, especially the
land of the Warmouths and the Cart
ters, was put up at auction and sold to
Mr.. Fenton in a manner almost as pub
lie as that in which the Roman Empire
was sold to Didius Julianus. Mr.. Col
fax, through the first choice Of but few,
was the second choice as most, and as
such was the successful aspirant. The
condition of affairs is not likely to be
again presented The voluntary retire.
ment of Mr.. Colfax obviates the neces-
sity for its repetition, and leaves per-
feet freedom sof choice, in which Sec
tional claims should not be regarded.
The Republican party, since it's acces-
sion to power in the Nation, has three
times nominated a Western man for
Vice Prsident. Since 1860 the East
has had but a..single representive on the
National ticket, Mr.. Hamlin, for Vice
President, for whom the Baltimore Con-
vention, in 1864. very unfortunately
substituted Mr.. Andy Johnson.
The East need certainly not abandon
the contest this time for lack of availa-
BILE candidates. It would be easy to
name dozen, and one of whom would
honor the Vice Presidency. Massa-
chusetts has Mr.. Wilson, whose long
experience in the Senate would admira-
bly, qualify him New York has SO many
that we fear to commence an enumera-
ton; but as in 1860, so in 1852, Maine
has the man who ought to combine the
largest elements of strength and popu-
larity, the Hon. James G. Blaine, the
present speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives. In ability, in integrity, and
in general fitness for the position, Mr..
Blaine has few equals in public life at
the present time. His repeated election
to Congress attests his popularity at
home, and his second choice as Speaker
shows the high esteem in which he is
held by those who have the best means
of measuring his character as a public
man. No man can be said to have a
claim upon this or any other Office;
but Mr.. Blaine possesses qualifications
which should give the Vice Presidency
a claim upon him.