The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-05-22
The presid entail Dilemma.

The Presid entail Dilemma.
The time is drawing nigh when the
political parties of the country are to
place their Presidential nominees before
the people. For the sixteen years last
past those parties have not stood in a
similar relation to each other, nor as
to themselves, to the one they now
respectively occupy. During all that
time, at each successive Presidential
term there was some one conspicuous
name in either party around which
popular favor clustered 80 as to make
a nomination little more than a formal
Ity for the ratification of previously
Indicated selection. The nomination of
Lincoln in 1864 and of Grant 1868 and
In 1872 were simply the announcements
of foregone conclusions in the Repub-
lican ranks. And the nomination OF
Mcclellan in 1864 and of Seymour in 1868
were equally proclamations ofunanimity
In the selection of the Democratic NOM
inees. In 1872 Greeley was nominated
by that party simply as q ratse de gaterre,
to cover the necessity Of captivating
by an unconditional surrender.
But, now, the whole aspect OF the po-
iitical battlefield is changed. There is
in neither party any one oyershadowing
name to Tx a nomination upon by any
degree of common consent. In both par
ties numerous names not unknown to
the nation have been zealously pre-
sented by as many different sections;
and all with very nearly equal claims to
the honor OF the nomination. Under
such circumstances, the discussions
within the ranks OF each party have had
no tendency TO harmonize the views Of
the party as to the merits Of their respect
ave candidates. Indeed, these discus
sions have tended rather to antagonize
the two parties with themselves, and
not as against each other. So that, at
this day, now SO near upon the times of
the Conventions, neither Of the two par
ties has any assurance beyond the most
vague conjectures as to who win be
their respective nominees for the Presi-
dency. AS to both parties this dilemma
is complete and mutual.
Ea-ly in the year, the Republican
party was more seriously embarrassed
within its own organization than was the
Democratic party. The question of
General Grants nomination for third
term placed the Republicans in a dilem-
ma that ominously threatened q total
disruption Of their party organization.
AS if to increase this perplexity, Grant
himself refused to speak; or, if he spoke,
ltwa with the ambiguity characteristic
of the oracle whose utterances were al
ways truthful, because always capable
Of double Interpretation. But, when
Babcock was indicted, Grants preten-
sions were shaken; when Belknap con-
fessed, they were oyerthrown. GRANTS
third term was crucifed between TIVE
thieves.
There is no question but that the Re-
publican party felt Immediately and
immensely relieved by the result of these
events. Gen. Grant, with all his per-
sonal merits and distinguished services
which had endeared him to the nation,
was at once removed from the field OF
Presidential Discussion, because re-
moved from among Presidential Posi-.
abilities. But, by the same
event, the Republican party was LETT
without an acknowledged leader. And
fits SO yet. And this second dilemma
is scarce inferior to the first. The names
Of men claiming or aspiring to the lead
ership are numerous; and 1t is this rich.
ness that has been found so strangelt
embarrassing to the party. 'f
1t must be conceded, we think, that
the Republicans are not seriously di'
vided as among themselves upon the es-
sential Issues to arise during the coming
campaign. But that they are divided,
and sub-diyided, upon the subject Of
candidates is most painfully obvious on
perusal Of their party papers. II the
Democrats are wise In their generation
they will make note Of those Republican
utterances against Republican candi
dates, and use them as ammunition fol
the campaign.
Being thus united upon the genera,
Issues OF the campaign, the Republicans
can not expect TO nominate their candi
date upon the principle Of a s'loud huz
xahp They nave too many parties with
Ip their own oysanizatien for that. Thsr'
q ~