The New York herald., 1876-03-25
Thirteen Centennial Candidates
4 PIurIbus Unum.

4ne hEkALD IL Wiling 10 hSslSt III OElnB-
ing the old motto of the United States again
into use in this centennial year, and is sim
cerely sorry that it cannot be done in the
appropriate way of restoring coined money
to circulation. Our national motto is re-
quired by law to be stamped on our national
coins together with the eagle, which is
adopted as the national emblem; but neither
emblem nor motto is seen since coined
money has disappeared, the small trash OF
nickel and copper and the new silver trade
dollar not having the bird or the legend
The motto, being in Latin, is in danger
of falling into permanent disuse. and
we will let our readers see how it
looks in print after having been SO
long missed. z Plurib,ts Unum meant
originally zone out of thirteen" the in
definite plotres meaning the thirteen States
which existed at that time. We preserve the
thirteen stripes of our national flag, increas-
ing only the stars to correspond with the
present number of States In recalling the
motto we desire to give it slightly different
turn, changing the implied verb so that the
phrase may mean the selection of one out of
thirteen. From the thirteen centennial can
didates whose names we suggested yester-
day let President Grant and Senator Conk-
ling pick out one and secure his nomination
if they cannot see their way clear for them
selves
Il Pl,uibus Unum would be q fortunate
motto for the republican party, because the
great number of its Presidential candidates
tends to distraction, and it would be n relief
if any means could be found concentrating
the public sentiment Of the party on some
one of its numerous candidates. Unless
unity of purpose shall in some way arise
out of the great diversities of preference we
do not see how the party can succeed, and
the simplest method Of unifcation is the ac-
ceptance of our suggestion that Grant
and Conkling select one candidate
out of the thirteen and make over
their influence to statesman of their choice
be a successful competitor for the prize.
Unless this benevolent advice is adopted the
party will be ruined by internal divisions.
New York cannot be wrested from the demo-
Gratis without the federal influence which
will not be exerted for Blaine-frst, because
President Grant dislikes him; and second,
because Conkling controls the political ma
chinery through which the federal influence
acts, and it is too late to think of recon-
structing the republican party of New York
for the next election. Unity, in this State
at least, can come only by Grant and Conk-
ling selecting a candidate whom they will
jointly support, if neither of them can get
the nomination himself. No republican
candidate can carry this State with
out their united aid, and it depends
on tho vote of this State whether
tho next President be republican
or a democrat. The President and Senator
Conkling are therefore in n position to die
tate the candidate if they should be them
selves ruled out, and in that event their die
tation is the only thing that can save the
party.
The HERALD loathes can't, and takes kindly
to Senator Conkling because he is freer than
most politicians from that sneaking vice,
which is as contemplate in politics as it is
in religion. Mr. Conkling's assallants are
as Thoroughbred partisans as he is, and
it is too late in the day for them
to put on masks in the hope of
hiding their well-known faces. The only
difference is that he'is too proud to pretend
to more public virtue than he possesses and
scorns to act part to which he has no title.
The HERALD is far enough from thinking Mr..
Conkling faultless character, but it likes
the bold, anti-humbug tendency of his mind
and his superiority to cant and double deal
ing. He is alike to be commended for the
steadiness of his principles and the sincerity
of his personal intercourse. He is not
base enough to simulate friendship when he
feels none, and his friends and enemies,
whether personal or political, know precisely
where to find him. He is inhexible in views
which he has once maturely formed. He
strenuously fought the Legal Tender act
when it was first introduced in Congress,
and he has been among the foremost advo-
Gates of o return to specie on every occasion
when the subject has been debated. None
of his rivals has so consistent record for
uniinching support of friends, bold defiance
of foes, steady adherence to principles manly
abstinence from cant, and scorn of looking
one way while rowing another. We are not
considering his talents, which everybody
comedies to be admirable but his character,
which we are constrained to approve as we
approve things genuine in their kind. Mr..
Conkling honestly represents the political
system in vogue, making it appear neither
better nor worse than it is; and as the people
have no interest in being deceived they have
some reason for preferring politician who
disdains to be q Joseph Surface, like his
canting assailants who came upon the stage
in that disgusting r6ie.
The HERALD, MS is we'll known to its read