Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-01-12
Presidential Candidates.

discussion Of this subject cannot now I've pro-
tested against as premature, it is yet alto
gether too early to determine either the
merits or chances Of any individual candi-
date. Indeed, the events Of the next six
months may put an entirely new face upon
the political situation, and some name not
now thought of may, eventually, over
more unsettled than is usual at the opening
of the presidential year, and an adverse
breath may sweep away some. or even all, Of
the names now most prominent in the pub
lie mind. Inone respect, however, we think
there can be no installing the public pulse
and no error made ia forecasting the future
whatever betidc, we have faith to believe
that the American people will never rein
state the old-line democratic party in power
Hence, we regard it as foregone conclusion
that whoever gets the next Republican nom
nation will be the next President Of the
United States. Moreover, we believe it i'm
possible for any man to receive the Repub-
lican nomination who does not meet the pop
ular ideal concerning purityof life and prob
ity Of character. lie must be, like CAESARS
wife, above suspicion. No stain, nor the dp-
pearauce Of stain, must rest upon his private
character or public record. These essential
things secured, much that is comparatively
non-esseutial may be conceded
Speaking Of individual candidates, CO
temporary thus enumerates the merits of
Hon. Elihu b. Washburne, Of Illinois, our
present minister 10 France; We hazard
nothing in the remark that he would, il
chosen, bring 10 the duties Of the high office
abilities second 10 no man who has filled II
since the administration Of John Quincy
Adams. More important still, his Integrity
is beyond question, his record in public life
unimpeachablc. OF him it may be said
without exaggeration, that he is sans peiu ei
sans reprocie. His career in Congress- and
his heroic record as minister to France dur.
ing the siege Of Paris by the Prussians, and
the even more trying days Of the Commune,
amply entite him to this need To our
mind, also, after carefully surveying the
whole field, Mr.. Washburne is the most
available candidate yet mentioned. II it is
urged that he is not popular with certain
class of politicians, it must be borne in
mind that he is popular with the masses for
one aud the same reason, viz. that he is
an economist of the straitest sect. While
in Congress he gained the soubriquet of
the Watch Dog Of the Treasury" No
doubtful measure of any kind escaped
his yigilant scrutiny; nor if it failed in
the test applied, which was as it just and
is it expedient 2" did he hesitate to raise his
voice against it. no faint of mobiliersm
no suspicion of completely with corporation
schemes to plumber the people, attaches to
his record. Then, he is deservedly popular
with the Tcutonic element at the West.
lie earned the gratitude and the admiration
Of the German people by remaining in Paris
and submitting to the hardships Of the
siege, when every other representative Of a
foreign power had left for more salubrious
quarters More than this he acted as the
agent of the German government, aud by his
courage, persistence, and remarkable forti-
tude, was instrumental in saving the lives
and property Of many Germans in Paris
rescuing many of them from the fury of the
mob at the last moment. In short he re-
Elected the highest credit upon the American
name, both at home and abroad, during
those terrible days. II should not be forgot
ten, furthermore, that it was Elhu Is. Wash.
burne who stood by general Grant and saved
him from being overslaughed after the Fort
Donelson surrender. lie was instrumental
also in securing Grants promotion, and hay
ing him placed at the head of the armies
thus insuring victory to the Union cause.
The Washington correspondent of the
Tribune, after looking over the field, con
cludes that the race is to ba between Blaine
and Bristow mother of which, he says has
now clearly the advantage. OF the former
he says;
"Mr. Blaine has one important advantage
but it is attended with great peril Any
day he chooses he can speak to the whole
country. Whatever he may say in his place
in the House, is certain to be printed and
read the next morning throughout the coun
try During the entire period which inter
venes before the national convention assem-
bios, he will command public attention. j
he uses his opportunity wisely he will greatly
improve his prospects, but if he makes mis-
takes they will be likely in the present tenn
per of the people, to prove fatal. Mr.
Bains's errors are always those of omission
rather than Of commission. From excess Of
caution, he has often let opportunities pass
by that bolder man would have grasped
but he has never made any serious blunders
From the time he entered the House in 1868
and was assigned place almost at the foot
of a socond-rate committee, his growth has
been rapid and uninterrupted, until he i,
now the recognized chief of the Republican
party in Congress. lie is a strict party man
All his successes have been won within the
party lines. lie is, however, capable Of
bold and independent thought, is free tc
criticise the errors of his party in circle.
where there is no newspaper men present to
take notes and, although by 10 WORD
spoken in public has he ever condemned
even the most glazing faults of the admins
tration, his influence has always been ex
ertsd to prevent their repetition and to Sc
cure their correction, and TO lift tho Repub
lican organization above the low level wher,
the President has placed it, Mr.. Blaine ha
strong personal magnetism and natural quail
tiles of leadership, His strength in tn,
nominating convention win come from Cali
iornia as well as from Maine. -
OF Mr.. Bristow the same correspondent
says Secretary Bristow, although talked
Of as Presidential candidate ever since he
brought order out of the chaos left by Mr.
Richardson in the treasury department, owe
his present prominence TO his battle will
the whiskey ring. 1t is plain that he ha
the stuff of a reformer in him, and that i
the kind of man for whom thousands Of Re
publicans have been looking for the pas
two or three years. There are only two i'm
portant issues now before the public-ad
ministrative reform and specie payments
Mr.. Bristow stands in the attitude Of rel
rssentative of both these ideas-a position
that he has fairly earned. Furthermore. /
have plucked laurels from President Grant
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