New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-02-11
A IN 4kEE.

On the 22d inst. Republican State Conven-
tons will be held in Indiana, Illinois, and
Wisconsin. OF these States, Illinois and " Is
consin me necessary 10 Republican success,
but both have been controlled ut recent cleo
tons by the Independents. In Indiana the
Democrats, seem to have majority they can
depend upon, though friends OF Mr.. Morton
insist that he can carry it. He did not secure
a popular majority in 1872, gained his re-
election only by trading Of Republican votes
in close districts, in when popular state can
didates were mercilessly sacrificed, and would
be less likely to carry that state tins year
than a candidate upon whom the strong indie
pendent vote could be concentrated Every
body knows that voters OF that class regard
Mr. Morton as particularly dangerous dcma-
eogle who cares nothing for principle, and
they would prefer to support candidate OF
their own, however small his chances,
rather than to vote for the cham
pion of the bloody shirt the champion Of
a civil service which eliminates in the con-
yiction of Mcdonald, Joyce, and Avery, and
the champion dodger on the question Of finance.
There is strong opposition to Mr.. Morton in
his own State. But it does not seem to have
blatant. Able and worthy Republicans confess
that he is a heavy load to carry, and wish that
they might have a candidate as unobiectiOnable
as Mr.. BristOw, for example, to the lndcpend-
cnts whose votes have made Indiana Demo-
cratic. But they have no courage for action.
The most foolish thing yet suggested was the
attempt 90 secure delegation against Morton
by running Mr.. Harrison. If the better class
of Republicans in that State cannot muster the
pluck to make an honest fight for some candi-
date who can be nominated and ought to be
nominated, Mr.. Morton will secure the dele "a
ton without difficulty.
Illinois and Wisconsin are States III which the
Republican party can easily commit suicide IL
il chooses. In both there is a powerful body
of German Liberals, whose leaders are able
and reSoute. They. with others OF like mind,
wiped out the Republican majority of fifty
thousand in Illinois, captured Wisconsin, and
gave Mr.. Carpenter notice to quit. The Repub-
lcan party can win these votes easily, for they
have no liking for that concern which The
Chicago Times calls ga putrid "reminiscences
and which other people call the Democratic
party. But it can Icpel and lose
them quite as easily. There is long
interval between the Conventions III these
States and the National Convention-an inter
val during which the minds of thousands Of
voters will be set, past tho possibility OF
change, for or against party, by the triumph
or defeat Of the reform element in either State
Convention. If the Republican party wants to
lose these States, let it select delegates on the
ODD who are known 10 be in sympathy with
Logan and Carpenter. singulary strong
nomination in June Will DE needed 10 over
come the effect Of a victory of the worst end
of the party in February.
MIR. Morton has some friends in these States,
and Mr.. Blaine probably has quite as many.
Our own pet statesman, the "favorcd of
"Ncw- York." has not any yet discovered.
Some people in Illinois still speak warmly Of
Mr.. Washbu1ne, although his recently published
letter shows that he fully understands that
the temper of the people this year is not to
select a candidate because he has been absent
in Paris during the agitation of important
questions, nor because he once wrote letter
warmly recommending U. 8. Grant for sutcr,