The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-29

until after the summer heats Since the
change in its constitution by which its State
elections are carried forward from October TO
November Pennsylvania must resign its posi-
ton as the keystone of our politics, and the
adage SO long accepted in our Presidential
contests that Gas Pennsylvania goes 50 goes
the Union" will be deemed obsolete. The
ascendancy of that State in national politics
is a faded glory. II was founded partly on the
Importance of Pennsylvania, which ranked
next to New York in population and wealth,
but chiefly on the fact that in Presidential
years il held an election month in advance
Of the final trial of strength, and that the
great body Of trimmers, who hung on the out
skirts Of politics and had no solicitude but to
be found with the successful party, were
ready to change sides as soon as this pioneer
balloon showed the direction of the atmos-
pheric current. All the floating riff-ratf Of
politics has heretofore followed in the wake
of the Pennsylvania October election. It bias
lost this potent influence by the change to
November but it has gained in exchange
more perfect control Of domestic questions
which can no longer be flung into the
stream Of national politics. The change
will also tend to make national
platforms more honest. Pennsylvania has
always been high tariff State, and the I'M
pcrtance Of carrying it in October as pre-
liminary to success in the Presidential cleo
tons has constrained the great national par
ties to pay an undue Difference to the Penn
sylvania interests which clamor for protec-
ton. This power is lost forever by the
change in its election day. Pennsylvania is
hereafter merely one Of the large majority Of
States which hold their elections on the same
day in November, and it may go either way
without greatly influencing the general
result This being SO obviously the
case we see no sufficient reason
Why the Pennsylvania republicans should
have come 50 early into the field this
year. Their election is to be held on the
same day as that of New York; but neither
OF our New York parties sill make nomina-
tons before September. Even in Ohio, which
still holds its election in October, neither
party has yet held its State Convention.
1t would, perhaps, be a violent and strained
inference to suppose that the Republican Con-
vention Of Pennsylvania has been held SO
early with view to crowd Grant off the
Presidential track by setting other States an
example OF an unequiyocal declaration
against a third term. But if this explanation
seems far-fetched what other is possible
Governor Hartranft's friends could have had
no anxiety respecting his nomination, for be
has not only discharged his duties to the &C
ceptance Of bis party aud the satisfaction Of
all reasonable men, but the republicans put
themselves under a necessity OF renominatlng
him by placing him forward last year as their
candidate for the Presidency. The other
officers are Of little consequence, and there is
nothing in the political situation Of Pcnnsyl-
vania which should have inpelled the repub-
lcan leaders to 90 SO early into the canvass,
unless their shrewd managers felt the i'm
poriance Of heading off Grant and setting an
example for Ohio on the third
term question. It is believed on good
grounds that Blaine, and not Hariranft, is the
favorite Presidential candidate OF the Penn
sylvania republicans. Mr.. Blaine is a native
Of the State. he last year made protection
ist speeches wherever he appeared on the
stump which were understood at the time as
a bid for Pennsylvania support; and be has
perhaps better chance Tor the nomination
than any other candidate if Grant can be put
aside Blaine's Pennsylvania friends, in
cluding Cameron, are long-slghted poll
ticians, and if Ohio, following the ex-
ample Of Pennsylvania, can muster courage
LII - a..
be no where in the Presidential race and
Blaine's chances will be such as his
friends can give him. For the next two
years Mr.. Blaine will hold more conspicu-
Gus position in national politics than any
other member Of the republican party except
the President himself. As the leader Of the
opposition in a democratic House Of Repre-
sentatyes he can incur no enmities,
Is Grant is always liable to do by
the refusal Of appointments; he can
not be regarded as mere soldier in the
ranks, a. he would be in the Senate;
while his dexterity, his knowledge Of par
liamentary rules, his force and readiness in
debate, will make him conspicuous as critic
and assailant Of the democratic party No
other republican is likely 70 occupy so large a
share Of public attention as Mr. Blaine in the
session Of next winter if he does not fall
short Of the expectations Of his friends as
the opposition leader Of the House. There
\ Is 70 r6ls in which SO much political
capital can be made ~ man Of
talents, and if Grants irregular ambition
could be extinguished Blaine would have the
best chance for the republican nomination.
\ lie is the known favorite Of Pennsylvania, and,
whether the Pennsylvania republicans intended
i or not, they have done him the best service
IA thor power by calling their Convention
early and making declaration against the
\ third term which only needs to be followed
by the republicans Of Ohio to extinguish
\ President Grants hopes We cannot be very