The New York herald., 1876-09-07
Charles Francis Adams for Governor
OF MasanchusNtts.

OF MASSACHUSETTS,.
There can be but one opinion as to the
strength of the magnificent State ticket
nominated by the Massachusetts, democrats
yesterday. Charles Francis Adams was
nominated for Governor by acclamation, and
William r. Plunkett for the second
place on the ticket If there is any
citizen who stands foremost and pre-
eminent in the first rank Of living Amer
lean statesmen that citizen is Charles Fran
cis Adams. He not only belongs to the first
rank, but universal public opinion as
signs him the highest place in
that rank. The Massachusetts, democrats
have done themselves credit in presenting
so honored and distinguished name, and,
whether he is elected or defeated, the party
will have reason to be proud OF Its
action. The association of Mr.. CASTOR
with Mr.. Adams as the candidate for
Lieutenant Governor would have been
wise, for MIR. CASTOR is one Of the
most popular, and deservedly popular, citi-
zens of tho old Bay State. Ho was elected
Governor two years ago to the surprise OF
the whole country, which was, perhaps, the
greatest personal triumph ever achieved in
American politics, considering that Mas
sachusetts had been for the preceding
twenty years tho stronghold and cita-
del of the republicans. But though he
declined the honor, it has fallen on Mr..
Plunkett, who, though not so we'll known to
the country, has an excellent reputation in
his State. What refreshing contrast is
this ticket to the blundering muddle of the
New York democrats
Can this ticket be elected? This is
point on which we will not
hazard an opinion, for Massachusetts,
is strong republican State, and
mere personal weight does not often pre-
vail against party predictions. If it were
mere State election which is to take place
in Massachusetts there would be good
grounds for believing that Mr.. Adams
might succeed, especially as Mr.. Gas
ton carried the State in 1874. But
in q Presidential year party lines are
more strictly drawn, and we are not to ex-
pect political miracles even in favor Of so
great and irreproachable candidate as
Charles Francis Adams. Yet his election
would not be miracle, but tribute to
eminent fitness, acknowledged worth and
distinguished public services. There can
be no doubt that great number of repub-
licans who scorn to be mere party slaves
will vote for Mr.. Adams. There has been q
great relaxation of party spirit in Massa-
chusetts since Senator Sumner and Vice
President Wilson, the late lamented leaders
of the republican party in that State, re-
belled against the administration at Washing
ton. Mere party allegiance has been greatly
shaken by the attitude Of those trusted
leaders. Moreover Governor Rice is
regarded by the republicans them
selves as weak candidate, and
there are many democrats who think that
Mr.. CASTOR might have defeated him.
But the name of Mr. Adams at the head of
the ticket is tower of strength Aside
from his strong hold on the pride, esteem
and patriotic recollections Of the people of
Massachusetts,, Mr.. Adams has some pecu-
liar, and, as we may say, accidental advan-
tages as candidate. We cannot enumerate
them all, but we will refer to one as an illus
tration The Springfield Republican, one of
the most spirited, enterprising and widely
circulated journals in the New England
States, has been for many years "instant in
season and out of season" in setting forth
the merits and singing the praises of Mr..
Adams. It's editor has made himself topic
of playful ridicule in all the newspapers
&c tha Mt h,-h l.,vr 70 AZ
great Massachusetts statesman. His read
crs, comprising large majority of the cit-
zens Of Central and Western Massachusetts,
have not seen tho sportive and good natured
ridicule, but they have learned from the col
umns of the Republican to esteem and venerate
the great statesman and to think him the best
deserving of high public trusts of any citi-
zen Of the United States. This widely circu-
lated and most influential republican jour-
nal has precluded itself from going back
upon Mr.. Adams now, after four or five
years Of incessant eulogies, and the euloges
have been go truthful and so richly merted
that the readers of the Republican would
not change their opinion oven if the
editor Of the paper should affect
to change his He cannot afford to have his
readers think that he has been trying to fool
them for the last four years or that he is so
unstable rs to renounce his deliberate opin-
ion on subject Of which they are as good
judges rs he is. Mr.. Bowles has bound him
self in every conceivable way to support
this splendid nomination, which he has a
thousand and thousand times indorsed in
advance by his incessant advocacy of Mr..
Adams for the Presidency. He can safely
stand by Mr.. Adams now because the best
opinion of intelligent Massachusetts, cti-
zens will go with him, and because no citi-
zen of the State, except on the merest party
grounds, will vote against so excellent and