The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-11
FROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON, April 10, 1875
WHO Is TO BE THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
or THE DEMOCRATS WINFIELD SCOTT HAM
COCK THE COMING MANTLE OBJECTIONS
TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE PROMINENT
LEADERS CoNsIDERED--PUBLIc SENTIMENT
cENTRINa on THE HERO or 4. HUNDRED
BATTLES.
1t the honest, impartial opinion Of nine out OF ten
OF the democrats here from all parts or tho
country, from Maine 70 California. be taken
criterion upon which predict future results General
Winfield Scott Hancock IL the coming man, the one
who 70 receive tho nomination At ST. Louis, In juno
next candidate OF the democracy for the Presi
dcncy. This opinion 70 surely becoming stronger
day by day. Not that Hancock tho
FIRST choice for that high once OF nine Of ten
democrats because the nrs-choicc fsvortes Thur
man, Tildcn, Bayard and Hendricks Each member OF
this quartet has his ardent and devoted followers;
each will be earnestly supported tho Convention,
and either II nominated would in the highest degree
satisfactory tho great OF the party
both the North and In the South: but to each there
Is from various causes just enough opposition TO render
the nomination Of either dangerous experiment for
the democrats to adopt Bayard-"without fear and
without reproachhails from Insignificant State;
ono, too whose electoral vote be the
nominee OF tho National Democratic Convention. Be-
sides this the insinuasion thrown out against him in
the Senate the other day-groundless though It
Is sufficient to show that the radicals, at
least the Jacobins Of the party, would ell
deavor to cast suspicion upon tho strength
OF his Union sentiments should he become the
standard bearer OF the democratic He would be held
up strongly tincturcd with Bourbonsm- A. the
same time those who know the purity and patriotism
which prodominate IN Bayard's character only regret
that the Presidential chair Is certain to be hed by
20 able and honorable an occupant
Hendricks while possessing show OF strength,
has also exhibited evidence Of great weakness First
he is not known be man OF arm convictions, par
tcularly upon questions which are sure to occupy
prominent place in the ensuing Presidential
He has bitter opponents within the ranks Of his
own party This ia notably true IN Ohio where Hen
bricks Is anything but popular.
Tiidsn sosrssio have lost groagfas Presidential
candidate This is partly due TO two ses:-First,
he came 10 the front early in the effort
the nomination. He made his race too soon, and pub
lie attention has ceased to be attracted to him
rs IL was few months ago The
second element Of weakness In Tldcn
as q candidate for the democratic nomination at ST.
Louis Is the bitter opposition he is encounterng from
portion OF the New York democracy. rendering it
doubtful he can secure the united delegation or
as next to hopeless AS the democratic nominee for
Governor OF New York Tilden undoubtedly render
his party greater service than in any other capacity
during the Presidential campaign probably securing
In this way the electoral New York favor OF
tho democratic candidate, whoever he may be.
Last, but not least to be considered, IS Thurman,
whose high Abilities elevated thoroughly
wise slatesmanship commend him only the
leaders and masses Of his own party, butte the air
minded who numbered among his
opponents. Even Senator Conkiing In open
Senate, once remarked that if tho next Prcsi-
dent was 10 DO a democrat no hoped for tho
prosperity Of tho country the choice would fall upon
Thurman Il Is doubtful II. all things considered.
moro desirable President could be selected from among
tho leaders OF either party than would be found
Senator Thurman; but alasl he, too, has HIS draw
backs when availability Is considered lie has been
unfortunate enough TO encounter opposition Of most
serious character ranks Of Ohio democracy
By the way, the Ohio democracy has dstin-
guish itself in the last few Presidential campaigns or
conventions by SO casting It's influence prevent
The opposition 10 Thurman comes par
tcularly from the rag money men under the lead OF
Wash Mclean and tho Cincinnati Enquirer How far
this opposition might become in case Thur
man becomes the national democratic standard bearer
Is q question OF doubtful consideration. In state
like ONO, whore tho strength of tho parties is
evenly divided it is absolutely essential to study and
take advantage OF every element OF strength
Il must also DO oorne mind that, notwhstan ding
tho great number OF Senators who have In times pas,
aspircd become President astrangc fatality or lack
has marked these Efforts that the Sena
torizl chair has proven happy stepping stone
from which mount the Presidential stecd Each OF
the iour gentlemen named Is the first choice con
siderable following yet scarcely respective
f<sfl. that u ~r
his particular candidate sufficient upon which to
ground well founded hopes. Nearly all admit that,
granting that either Of the can call out aud
receive the entire OF the democratic party some
thing still IS necessary TO gain success, and
is that the candidate OF the democracy DO
who cannot only muster the entire strength OF the
democratic party but who reconcile al least
poron oil the honest dissatisfied voters OF the republic
can party TO union with their political opponents
the effort TO pure and patriotic administration.
II is argued that republicans who tired and dis
gusted with the present OF AFFAIRS Will hesitate
and decline TO abandon their party vote outright
for Bourbon; hence consideration must 10
shown 20 tins large and important element
TO steer clear Of the difficulties winch seem TO sur
round the selection OF standard for the denoc
racy IN the next campaign. and, same time
present for the sunrases Of the people, only the
democrats, but TO the large mass OF dissatisfied rc
publicans, candidate unobjcctonaDIc IN every wav
public opinion as dscerncd by careful investigation
and conversation with prominent and well informed
men representing every section Of the country and
almost every phase OF public sentiment Is and has
been fast centrine upon Hancock as the man who,
judged by his personal political aud military record,
added his high character shown both In private
and public life, combines more and greater elements OF
strength the democratic for the Presidency
Than are 10 be found combined III any other one man.
Your correspondents has convcrscd with representative
men from every State whose electoral vote Is az
all likely 20 be for the democratic nominee, and Ia
reply to The inqury. "who do you and your people