New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-09-14
4 SECOND CHOICE C1NDIDArR.

Now that their Bourbon won't have their
nomination for Governor, the Democrats have
offered il to thoroughly uneXceptionable
Liberal Republican. There is not word to
be said against Mr.. Lucius Robinson. He Is
recognized as a man Of mquesiOned ability, of
absolute integrity, and of valuable public service.
IF the nomination had been offered at the out
set, of their own free will, instead of being
extortod from them in the hight Of their panic,
aud if il had been accompanied by q name for
Lieutenant Governor iudiciously selected to
satisfy tho BourbOns, the ticket would have
been strong one, and Gov Tilden would
have had some chance of carrying his own
State.
But az it u.s. the trick is too plain to deceive
anybody. This is the same convention that
nominated HOratO SeymOuT-the only change
is in Their prospects. When they were strong
AID confident of victory, they would have
mono but Democrat identified with their
record during the war; Now, with the con-
sciousness of impending disaster upon them, III
the agony of desperate struggle they nominate
the very opposite of Seymour IN everything.
II is as if National Convention with bright
prospects and rising enthusiasm had noml-
mated Robert TOOmbs for the Presidency, then,
finding that it could not get him, and that It's
chances were slmost gene, had exclaimed
"Well, then, aive us Francis Il. Spinner"
Such a convei.tiOn would inspire no confidence
and attract 10 followers. Political parties may
sU!ncumes succeed without principles, but they
never succeed after the have abandoned all
pretense of having principles. If the noluina-
ton of Seymour meant anything, the nominal
ton of Robinson il d iraGh and bait.
The French have name for the man who
is always thinking of tho clever things he
might have said an h0u. or two after the
opportunity for saying ther has passed. They
call him p staircase wit. Gov. Iliden IS last
proving himself staircase politician. II
no bad thought of nominating Robinson
month ago. the situation might
have been different. His party would not have
exuosrd its real spirit and purpose, frightiui
decentralization would have been avoided, and
the people might have been persuaded that
the Democrats were really prosecuting cam
paign for reform But the Governor thought of
it too late-Just as he thought Of David A. Wells
for Governor in Connecticut TOO late and just
as he is discovering too late that the income
tax business requires his instant attention.
His action nov proves that he is frightened
and invites he public 60 contemplate his
party, which in the exultation of confidence
three weeks ago dropped its mask, as now 10
he seen in the attitude of carefully gathering
up and putting on the mask again in the face
and ewes Of the entire State.
Mr.. John Kelly also appears in an interest
ing attitude. Mr.. Kelly wanted 1t understood
three weeks ago that the party had no use for
Liberals. He wouldn't tolerate the idea of
foOling away nomination on DoIsheimer,
when the Liberals had all gone back TO the
Republicans any way. Now MIR. Kelly, in his
anxiety to catch these Liberals, IL willing to
have his whole ticket made up Of them. Eyi-
IDENTIFY the panic is great when il reduces
man like Kelly TO submission 30 abjcct.
We need scarcely add that, in our judgment,
the ticket thus completed has no chance of
being elected The Democrats have defeated
it themselves. The present probability Is that
Gov. Morgan viii go in any way with an easy
majority of 10000 or $4,000, which hand
some success In Ohio and Indiana might more
a