New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-08

HKw 0RL1ANs THURSDAY. JUNE 8. 1875.
Ths . Grsat UsksswD.''
NEW OaL.Axs, Jans Z, 1876.


Ths . Great Ushnswp.''
NEw OnLnAxs, Jans Z, 1876.
EDITOR REPUBLIcAN:
Mr.. Blaine, when questioned = to whom.
he most dreaded in his candidacy for the
presidential nomination, replied that he did
not fear Conkling, or Bristow, or Morton,
but that there was one whom he regarded
~ very formidable. Upon being pressed
for the name Of this dreaded rival he gave
hlm the ambiguous title of the ''Great Un-
known" In this expression Mr.. Blaine
gave another evidence Of the political acu-
men which he possesses in large degree
for if Mr.. Blaine himself does not receive
the nomination, it would seem very proba-
BILE that another than either Of the three
gentlemen named would be selected. This
results from the fact that the antagoLisms
created by the canvass for the nomination
are likely to be 80 great that it would be .
difficult matter to transfer the votes of the
friends of one of the prominent candidates
to either of the others. Mr.. Blaine's pros
pects do not appear so aattering a. they did
Q week or ten days ago, and without regard
to the truth or falsity of the charges brought
against him. the fact that the charges are
brought renders his nomination very i'm
probable.
In this view. the identity of that ambigu-
GUS parsonage, the 'Grest Unknown" be-
comes an extremely interesting question, in
the solving of which all have an equal op-
portunity to exercise their prophetic facul-
ties. In looking over the field and canvass
ing the prospects, of the many eminent men
in tho Republican party who would honor
and be an honor to the high position, there
is one whose sterling integrity, whose COM
manding ability, whose honorable record
during long public life, and whose availa-
bility will, in my opinion. insure his choics
by the convention in case his name 10 pre-
sented. That name il Elihn B. Washburne'
of Illinois.
Mr.. Wsshburne would mako very
strong candidate. His record in Congress
is ono which any public man might envy.
He was ever the sworn foe OF the various
swindles presented to Congress, including
the Credit Mobilier, and was in his day
called '.the Watchdog of the treasury
During the past eight years he has been re-
moved from the complications of active
politics, and has represented this country
in France in . manner that has done US
credit - nation. Especially would his
nomination commend itself to the Germans,
who remember with gratitude the fact that
during the Franco German war he threw
about their defenseless countrymen in Paris
the strong protection of his government
when the representatives of all other coun-
tries had fed in terror from the capital.
An article in . recent number of the New
York herald reflects 60 fully my own views
ON this subject that I take the liberty Of
copying from it the following paragraph.
The Herald favors the nomination of New
Workers by both the political psrties-Gov-
ernor Tilden by the Democrats and Senator
Conkling by the Republicans:
But whether Mr.. Conkling be nominated
or rejected it remains equally true that
the candidate must be selected with refer
ence to his ability to carry New York. Ex-
cepting Mr.. Conkling, there 10 but one man
whose chances would be really good for
rescuing New York from the Democratic.
| Mr.. Washburne would not enlist State
pride like Senator COnklinx, but he would
have some important cOmpensating sdvan-
.tages, especially if Governor Tilden should
be his Democratic antagonist. Mr.. Wash
burne would be truer and more genuine
l foti of.f "a
other citizen of the United States. He was
a reformer before reform became political
hobbyhorse. During his long pervice as .
| member of Congress his reputation rested
| on his unflinching opposition to every de-
scription Of Jobs and subsidies. He did
his strenuous utmost to crush the Credit
Mobilier scheme in the egg before it was
matched - IN unclean and v0racious bird.
There was never any job, nor any sign
or symptom of job in Congress
while Mr. Washburne was there against
| which he did not "set his face like flint" J"
| His strenuous, stubborn opposition to jobs
| and subsidies, which was the tinguish.
| ing feature of his congressional career, is
| not exposed to any suspicion of self-seeking
| motives. He fought the battle for economy
| and against corruption when the tide ran
in the other direction. Such an early, cour-
| ageous, persistent, dyed-in-the- wool re.
former would carry off the palm on this
issue because he has given such indubitable
proofs of sincerity as will command the
| confidence of the country. If, therefore,
Senator Conkling's claims should be re.
| jected, the only safe thing for the Repub.
lcan party is to nominate Mr.. Washburne,
who, besides having an unequaled reform
record, would receive the unanimous Ger
man vote in consequence of his noble pro-
lection to German residents during the
siege of Paris.
These are the reasons for the faith have
within me that the "Great Unknown" is
and the next President of the United States
will be, the Hon. E. B. Washburne. Il.