New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-11
NEw-YoRK DAILY TRIBUNE TUESDAY. APRIL II, 1876

| oct;va noIiticians who would stand the
s,ipbtest chance of success. The district
was hopelessly Republican, and none OF the
active politicians cared to be put up ana
bowled down. Their convention accordingly
did wise thing-made an excellent nomina-
ton. 1t cost nothing, and was the cheapest
possible affectation of virtue. They nominated
the Hon. David A. Wells. He did not consent
to the nomination, but they nominated
him nevertheless. And they made as great
A hurrah over it as though it really meant
something. It did. 1t meant that no Demo-
crat could be elected, and that consequently
they were willing to put up an able and honest
man and take the credit for it. Their news
papers took at once very high tone
about it. They said to the Republicans,
{" Here now is a candidate better qualified
ethan any other in the district for the duties
"of this Office why not vote for himf' 1iE
TRIBUNE while commencing the nomination
took pains to point out the hollowness OF
Democratic professions with regard TO IL,
and TO say that Mr. Wells never would
have been nominated had there been any
chance for the election of some Democratic
| hack politician. Notwithstanding which we
urged independent voters and honest Republic
| cans to vote for him, and so encourage the
| nomination of such men, no matter who
brought them forward or what the motive.
Mr.. Wells made good run, but OF course 1t
was impossible to overcome the adverse ma
jority, and, as was anticipated, he was de-
| feated.
But the Democratic party through its orators
and organs was put upon the record in the
campaign. They were enthusiastic in praise
| of MIR. Wells's ability and integrity and his
superiority to the average politician. They
dilated upon the Importance of having such
man in Congress upon the influence he would
exert; the great advantage of having at time
like this gentleman on the floor of Congress SO
peculiarly fitted for the duties OF legislation
on the important subject of finance; they said
indeed great many earnest and true things
about his fitness and capacity and the credit
it would be to the State to be represented by
him. And when the election was over The Ncr-
Haren Register said with sneer ut the Repub-
licans, "When the Hid Congressional District
declines the honor of elccting David \.
"Wells to Congress. it is its own folly, OF
(which it can repent ut leisure, as II
"most certainly will in the end"
That is to say. the Republicans ought TO be
ashamed of themselves for not electing Mr.
Wells. And so much is true But If the dis
trict had been Democratic he never would
have been nominated. Whose folly would
that have been7 There remains however an
opportunity for the Democrats to vndicatc
their sincerity. if we have mlsjudged themin that
particular. They have an easy majority III
both branches of the Legislature, and United
LIT. al fica
tons Mr.. Wells has for seat in the House OF
Representatives he has in a much higher
degree for the Senate. He would be much
more useful to his district and State and
to tho country in the Senate than IN
the House. The field is better adapted to the
exercise of his talents; the term of service Is
longer; he would not be compelled to dip
into the small politics for which he
Ia, no taste, and which would be such
hindcrance to him; and he would have
greater opportunities for usefulness in all
directions If Republican district has
disgraccd itself by not electing him over
regular Republican candidate, how much
more will Democratic Legislature disgrace
itself by not taking him up ~ the party can
didate and cccting him to the higher place
for which, according to Their own confessions, he
has such superior qualifications I
There is no reason why the Democrats IN
the Legislature should not do just this. They
can in no other way show their sincerity or
act consistently. 1t certainly cannot be OBJ
iectcd To him that he is not Democrat. lie
presided over their State Convention
and drew up their platform last year,
and was their candidate for Congress last week.
II does not lie in their mouths TO raise that
objection. No candidate has been named in
opposition to him who can compare with him
in qualifications. The whole Democratic party
asserted loudly through the late canvass that
he WAS decidedly the superior of his opponent,
Col WAIT and we presume no one who knows
both will dispute the fact that Col. Wait has
qualifications for public life far superior to
those of Mr. English, who expects the nOmina-
ton. and is indeed the only candidate other
than Mr.. Wells who is ut all prominent. If
Mr.. Wells is better qualified than Col. Wait, he
is much better qualified than Mr.. English FOR
public life. In point of fitness and capacity
there is really no comparison between the
two men. Mr.. Wells is a statesman; Mr..
English politician. Therein lies the differ
encc and therein, too, lies the reason why Mr..
Wells stands no chance and Mr.. English will
be elected. Bnt how beautifully all this illus
trates tho sincerity and consistency OF parties.