Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-02-04
The Presidential Canvass,


early in the field as q candidate. His posi-
tion as Speaker was one Of great promi- |
ncnce and influence, and he made many |
friends in it, His position now, as the IN
doubted leader of his party on the floor Of
the House, is one Of hardly less prominence
and power. lie is man Of great ability
and force, of great ambition, Of great
gifts as a manager There is, we suppose,
at present, more Of an organized movement
at his back, than at that of any other can
didate. His friends expect to carry for him
New England entire, and to have strong
support from Pennsylvania. They count
on the lumber men Of Michigan, and N
the great lumber interest from Maine to
Minnesota. He is reported to he gain
ing on Morton among the Republicans
of the southern States There Is 10
dosb; that he will be leading candid
ate ia the National Convention when it
meets and the country would have in him
very able. and probably successful, Presl-
dent The objection to him, with many. Is
that he Is more Of a politician than states
man. On this account many would prefer
Gen. Hawley, Of Connecticut, if the nOmir-
alton were to be conceded to New England
but that viii probably not be conceded. The
south and West will control the National
Convention, and if they pull together they
are not likely TO give the first place on the
ticket to any New Highlander.
Mr.. Brstow. so far as locality is coz
cerned, is far letter situated to unite tie
votes Of the southern and Western delegates,
ind the ability and learlessness with which
he is discharging his duties as Secretary Of
the Treasury, are giving him a reputation
greatly to his credit lie is clean and
noble fellow, beyond doubt, and modest
withal-a quality which is unfortunately not
such an element Of strength in national
canvass a it ought to be. He Is giving all
lii time and strength to his duties, and not
to has chances for the Presidency. He has
earned the bitter hatred OF the whiskey
rings and corruptionists, and it is not IN
likely that Mr.. Morton Will lead him in the
Convention, when the balloting begins.
Mr.. Morton IS not only one Of the strong-
est minds in public life in this country.
but he is a man of large personal popular
ity and strong political position in his own
section His long championship Of the
Southern Republicans, which has been un-
wavering and apparently sincere, has given
him the first claim to the support Of the
Southern delegations in the Republican Ma
tional Convention lie has the promise Of
the Mississippi delegation, and the present
tendency Of other Southern States is in the |
same direction. lie is one of the strongest
men in the Republican party but he would |
carry in the election none of the men who
supported Horace Greeley. We do not be-
lie'e he will be nominated by the Conven-
ton, and We should have faint expectation Of
his election if he were.
Senator Conkling, it would seem, Is to
have the seventy votes Of New York. in the
Convention, and his friends will claim that,
as the vote Of New York will turn the scSe
in the election, they have the right to name
the man for the head Of the ticket The
Albany Journal, Troy Tm@, Rochester
Democrat, and other influential Republican
papers, declare Mr.. Conkling to be the first
choice Of the Republicans Of the Empire
State, and seem to think his chances good.
But somehow New York is not good State
to aspire from Aaron Burr, George Gin
ton, De Witt Clinton, John Armstrong,
Daniel b. Tompkins William II. Seward,
and Horace Greeley, all sought the Presi-
dcney, as New Workers, and all failed to get
it /; and Mr. Van Buren, got it in lS36-37,
but only to be thoroughly beaten in lSi0-il.
Such almost uuyarying i'll success has Great
ed the impression that New York Is not
likely to present the winner on the Union
course. Ii it were, New York has better
names than that of Mr.. Conkling-such as
Hamilton Fish. or William A Wheeler
men who have admirably filed every station '
to which they have ever been called, and t
who would bring the highest integrity, with !
true dignity and worth to the chief magis- a
tracy. We should be glad to see one Of these a
names On the national ticket-if not in the t
first, then in the second place. There are $
still names in abundance. Mr.. Washburn t
will probably be presented by Illinois, in Il
spite Of his recent letter discountenancing t
the use Of his name, and in spite Of the fact e
that Illinois has furnished the last two Pres Il
ideuts. Gov. Hayes, Of Ohio, has been named =,
by Senator Sherman, not very sincerely it p
i thought, As his choice; and it Is taken to :,
be an indication that Gen. Sherman will c.
Yet be brought forward as a candidate. IN
GOV. liaItrauft, Of Pennsylvania, has friend.
who are said to be organizing a movement
Tor him, in earnest; but the complimentary '
vote Of his own State, on the first ballot. II
will probably lie the extent Of the support CO
extended to him =
We do not allude to President Grants Id
;hanees Of the nomination, for we have III
40 idea that his name will be presented to II
he Convention There are good men po
nough, who, if nominated, will not 20 into al
he race handicapped by the lightweight of &c
he opposition to third term, and we he
rust the best of them will prove to be the as
oming man. One thing is clear, the party On
an afford to make no mistakes in the nom ta'
nation. an
m Les