Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-04-08
From the Pouehkeepsie CN. ~ Eagle.
TIE PRESIDENCY.

The number of prominent candidates Tor
the Presidency is narrowing down, and
now the two whose claims attract by lar
the largest measure of attention from Re
publicans, are James G. Blaine and Ben
iamin II. Bristow. A few weeks ago
Conkling seemed to divide the supremacy
with them, not so much because Oh his per-
soopal popularity or any general desire to
see him President, but mainly because it
was expected that the delegation from New
| York would be instructed to 90 solid for
him, and this would give him so large
vote on the first ballot that he stood nee
essarily among the leading candidates.
But Conkling stock has been rapidly de-
cining for some time past.
Morton was killed off, as we predicted.
by the Indiana convention there are sew
eral others, Washburne. Fish, Hartranft.
Hayes, ETC., all good men, and all to be
reckoned among the possibilities. but
neither of them can be said to be pointed
to as probably the coming man. The SEN
tment of the people all over the Union
point to Blaine and Brstow. and If this
sentiment continues and is given its proper
weight in the convention, one of these two
will be the next Republican candidate, and
that is the same as saying that he will be
the next President.
1t is proper then for every Republican
to especially consider the claims and quail
| fications of these two men. If this con
sideration be given carefully and impair
tally, we think the preference must GER
tainly be given, both on the grounds OF
public policy and of political expediency,
to Mr. Blaine. Both are men whose char
acter stands without reproach In these
| times of almost universal suspicion. but
| something more than this is needed for
President, and when the record OF the two
is compared there is wide difference
manifest between them.
Benjamin II. Bristow is comparatively an
unknown man in the politics OF the conn-
try Previous to his appointment to office
BY President Grant he has no record what
ever except as a soldier in the army. We
know that he has been an efficient and up
right officer, and his honesty and firmness
are well established by his warfare against
the whlskey ring. But rs to his political
views we are almost in the dark. lie is
presumed to be Republican because he
is member of the Cabinet, just as Bel
KNAPP was, and his opinions as to the honest
payment of national debts and redemption
of greenbacks in specie are in accordance
with those of the President.of course. But
beyond this we know almost nothing Of
him. The American people are altogether
too ready to take up untried men. who
happen to be in popular favor at the mo-
ment, and because they have done some
things WELL rush the whole machinery OF
the Government into their hands. 1t does
not follow that because man is good
book-keeper. or salesman, or porter, that
he is therefore qualified to take charge OF
all the complicated details Of a great bust
ness. He must be tried in several different
capacities before his ability to do that is
established That is the rule we follow in
everyday life. Why should we not act
with prudence in choosing National ru
Ter? Secretary Bristow has proved faith
full in the position to which he has been
appointed, but his ability to solve the diff
cult problems that present themselves in
all the varied relations OF government is
as yet untried. He may turn out to be a
great statesman. but to elevate him to the
Presidency on such a supposition seems 70
us too rash an experiment.
We cannot help adding that there is
something suspicious in the marvellous in
consistency of the parties who are so ear
ncstly pushing Bristow, and the way they
are doing it. OF all the candidates whose
names are before the country, he is the
only one who owes his position and prom
inence wholly TO Grants Administration
Outside of his connection with that, and
his acts as a member of the Cabinet, he is
nobody. And in view Of this there is
something very strange in the fact that he
is especially urged by those who are most
bitterly opposed to the administration. 1t
don't look right for newspaper in one
breath to denounce "Grantism." and in the
next to declare that the only salvation for
the country is the election OF a man whose
political existence is due solely to Grants
favor. There is too much Inconsistency in
the declaration that no man who has had
anything TO do with the administration
must be tolerated; and then that the man
for the hour is one who never did anything
outside of the administration. We believe
in President Grant. We wish there were
more "Grantism" in public office. We
hold the administration in highest regard,
and think connection with it an honor, but
we prefer Presidential candidate who
has some political record of his own
whose claims to our support rest on acts
and utterances independent of any other
influence than his own convictions and his
own judgment.
These requirements are met in the full
est measure by JAMES G. BLAINE. For
years he has been prominent in political
life, and his progress upward has been
made by unquestioned ability, his clear
Judgment, his consummate skill, and his
personal magnetism. The theatre of his
contests has been the House of Represen-
tatives of the United States, and during
his service there he has grappled with and
helped to decide all the varied and difficult
questions of the period Of rebellion and re-
construction. No statesman can boast
more experience, none have made fewer
mistakes. He has shown none OF the ele-
ments of the time-server, but has been out
spoken and bold in his opinions on all SUBJ
jects of national policy.-We know just
where we shall find him in every emer-
gency. and that there will be no hesitancy
about his ulterances or uncertainty about
his position. He has been assalled with
violent accusation by his opponents. but
he has come out OF every test with
brighter and clearer record than before
| Not suspicion of wrong, not a faint of