New-York tribune., 1876-05-05
PRESIDENTI1L CANDIDATES.

We should be glad to answer the inquiries
of friends and correspondents writing to us
from all parts of the country soliciting lnfor-
nation as to the probable course Of THE TRiB-
UNE with reference to the approaching Plesi-
Dental election. In some Of these c0Inmunl-
cations we recognize, what cannot but be CRATE
full TO us, a certain feeling of respect for TIE
TRIBUNE's opinions and its position, and an
honest desire to be guided by its advice In
others we find nothing but an idle and pos
sibly impertinent curiosity. While 1T would
not be worth while to crafty the latter class,
we should be very glad to give the former
the information they seek if it were possible
The simple truth is that TIE TRIBUNE has
no Presidential candidate, as it certainly has
no party affiliations nor partisan complications
1t consequently cannot predict what lis acton
will be in a canvass not yet opened, toward
candidates not yet selected. The held
is all in doubt. All sorts of contin-
gencics are possible in situation IKE
this. to affect the action of the indepen-
dent voter If the reader will consider for
moment what are the actual issues involved
in the election as they appear to the inind OF
n0n-partisans, and how easy 1t Will be 1or
either patty to be on the right or wrong side,
or Tor both to be right or both wrong, ana
then the possibility that both may take such Il
course as Will compel independent action on
the paIt of the large body OF voters who want
politlcal reform, he will perhaps appre-
hend the difficulty Of answering these IN
ouiries as to the opinions and policies OF the
future. 1t is enough to say that TIE
TErBuNE has no special candidate for
the nomination of either party. 1t desires
the selection of the very best man by each.
Some weeks ago we advised Independent
voters throughout the country to wait and
watch the action of the two great parties, and
make no .commttals in any form until the
| nominations were made; and then either 10
| choose fairly between them, or decide against
both, and take steps to protest In some proper
manner against their policies and their noinl-
nations. If that advice was good for the IN
dependent voter, it was good also for the IN
| dependent journal. We are quite content to
await the action of the two conventions, hop
ing meanwhile that both will put forward
/ their ablest and best men.
IL requires no unusual powers OF discern
ment, we think, on the part of any reader OF
THE TRIBUNE to discover what sort OF can
didates it would not encourage, or on the
other hand, what sort would have its sympa-
thy and aid. Nearly every one of the promi-
ncnt men who are counted in the lists of pos
| sibc candidates have public record with
which the people are in some measure familiar
| THE TRIBUNE has not left it to be guessed
what its attitude would be toward any one OF
them who might happen to be nominated. 1t
has no ani,Osities nor any partialitios to graf
ify. 1t judges men by the character they have
sustained and the records they have made
Both parties claim to be in favor OF reform
Boil, have repeatedly promised it. and both
| have failed lamentably. The country anxiously
waits their action in the nominating conventions
to learn which one, or if both, will give bonds in
the character OF their nominees for the fulfill
ment of their promises. Though there are sev.
era, Democratic statesmen who might be named
whose candidacy would 60 far to assure the
people of the earnestness of the party. it seems