The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-05-19
Squares. mo. . mo. mo. 6 mo.
PEN SKETCHES.
SPECIMEN RADICAL LEADERS AND
THEIR PARTICULAR MERITS.
ninine. CankIiug, Morton ana HristOw,
The typical NcpMblicRn-.

Albany AfRuS,l :.
The leading candidates for the Rcpub-
Iican nomination for the Presidency are
Blaine. Conkling. Morton and Bristow.
We name them in the order Of the
strength which it is assumed each will
have on the first ballot in convention,
by those who have figured on the pros
poets. These candidates, therefore, are
typical Republicans, deriving their
strength from certain elements which
commend them to their respective sup
portcrs.
Bristow is sustained on the alleged
ground that, among all the supporters
Of the Administration, he most strongly
synpathizes with the popular demand
for reform. He represents the class OF
men who are willing to reform the Gov
eminent, ii IL can be done without hurt
ing Grant or the Republican party. He
knows the right. but lacks the moral
courage to pursue it. His intuitions are
clear enough but his instincts are es-
sentially cowardly. He is sound enough
in opinion, but weak and irresOlute III
action, when his political associates are
involved. Hence he is not wanted.
Morton represents the paralytic ele-
ment in the Republican party. There
: was time when he had strength. Ana
he wants to fight those old battles over
again. He has no nerve for the contest
against corruption, which Is now being
waged. III he ever gets on his feet at al
it is when he strives to wave the bloody
shirt. or to defend usurpation, despot-
ism, military dominion and carpet bag
rule. The cause he represents IS en-
phaticaly repudiated by the people
Conkling Is the type of the loyal poll
tician, the firm and unyielding supporter
Of everything done by Grant and the
creatures of his power. He has never
taltered in his party allegiance. 1t is
his proud boast that there Is nothing IN
Grantism at which he could revolt. He
can look without dsmuy upon rascal
ties innumerable, upon usurpations the
most daring, and false policies the most
ruinous. He defends them without
blanching, and is never SO happy MS
when marshaling the Republican forces
to the tune Of the ROgue's march.
Blaine has no sympathy with the
weaknesses Of Bristow, but he Is as bold
a defender of bayonet rule as Morton,
and is as loyal to the corruptionists as
Conkling himself. He represents the
land-and salary grabbing Congressional
ring. He was the leader OF the men
who are responsible for the Credit Mo
bilier frauds, and the brood OF infamies
Of which IL Is the type. He Is the model
Republican, thoroughly Unidentified with
and responsible for all its rotteness and
chicanery. but not identified, even by
chance. with any of the impulsive and
Heeting reform. movements which have
had sickly and speedy death within
the Republican party.
Brstow will have but little strength
in the Convention. The element he rep
resents, which is making an effort to
reform the party, will be as fleeting as
the breath Of a puny infant for which
the angels are in waiting. Morton is the
Republican party Of dead era, and is
unable to comprehend or meet the is
sues Of the living present. Conkling. is
Grantism personified, seeking by bois-
ferrous brnvado to conceal the fact that
the giant Is smitten with death. Blaine
il the embodiment ofCongressional cor
ruption as Conkling is OF the Execu-
tive terrorism and wrong. They are
but the two arms Of the tyrant the peo-
ole have determined to crush. They
contend for supremacy, but neither
presents claim to popular sympathy
from any moral quality. Neither EN-
bodies any idea OF purpose or principle
for which the people are now contend
ing. They are fighting against each
other. as to which one shall use the
petuate the wrongs of the past, and as
an instrument for the division oil spolls
among their followers.
The Republican array OF candidates
presents no stubborn champion OF ad
ministratiyc reform. Even the Great
Unknown" in whose emptiness it hac
been hoped ut one time to conceal the
iniuuitics OF the Administration, as In 8
"Troian horse" has faded from pro
phetic vision.
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