New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-17
THE PRESIDENCY.
1IrnGE DAVIS AND THE DEMOCRATS.

JUDGE DAVIS AND THE DEMOCRATS.
TILE ARGUMENTS FOR JUDGE DAvIss NOMINATION.
A NON-PARTIsAN CANDIDATE AND NO PLAT
FORM-GEN. HARRIsoN's ELECTION By SINH
LAR POLICY.
iron THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRiBUNs'l
WASHINGTON, April 15.-"Judge Davis is the man.
Let the Democrats nominate him and put him on
the Presidential track without bride, and l tell
you he cannot be beaten These were the words OF
an old politician of great experience and rare Judg-
ment, a man who owes allegiance to neither party,
but who like the majority of those who were lid
eral Republicans in 1872, will vote for the best man
nominated, all things considered. He is too good
Republican to train in any party Of which Conkllng
or Morton is the stantsrd-bearer, and too good a
Democrat to cOuntenance Bourbonsm or tolerate in
fation or population. He is fair representative OF
the Independent Voter, who neither desires nor ex-
poets any place of honor trust under the Govern
ment but who is determined to make his influence
felt in the next election.
Il say he must not be bridled,D he continued.
platforms are humbugs any way. and the Demo-
cratic party cannot make one that will not weaken
it, All that is necessary is to present Judge DAVIS
TO tie people az the representative Of purity and
honesty in government and then attack the Repub-
leans on their shameful record. If the Democrats
should do this, don't care whom the Republicans
nominate he cannot be elected. Young men like
you" he continued cannot remember the campaign
of 1910. The administration Of Martin Van Buren,
had been dishonest and extravagant as that OF Grant
has BEEN only il was not half bad. Times were
hard business had not recovered from the terrible
financial shock of 1887 the people dissatisfied,
discontentcd, and ready for change When Gen.
Harrison was nominated at Harrisburg In Decem-
Der, 1889, Rcverdy johnson simply moved that he
be presented tn the people for their support, and
the Convention adjourned without adopting any
other platform. You know what the result was.
Some Of the strongest Van Buren, States turned right
over and gave Harrison immense majorites. The
people are now just ripe for another such revolution
and with proper management by the Democrats 1t
will come. But 1t will not do for them to nominate
any man who has been prominently identified with
their party. If they do, the Republicans will force
into the the old issues of the war and place
the Democrats on tle Defensive; tlen the Republic
cans will win, for the people areot ready to place
the Government in the hands Of the men who tried
80 hard To destroy it.p
But you Link Judge Davis can command the
confidence and support of the people spite of his
nomination by the Democratic party 7" | remarked
Certainly he replied, land because l believe
that Ms nomination without any platform OF policy
except the promise of honest administration would
rally his support the best men OF both parties lie
was one of President LincOlns most trusted adj
visers; the Republicans cannot find man whose
Union record during the war was better. Judge
Davis is also known to be n man OF exalted ideas;
lie would call about him the very best men III the
country-thoso whom people of all parties would
recognize as such-and the reformation Of the
civil service would extend from the Cabi-
net down through ell grades Of Govern
ment officials. lie is man Of great
fimncss and executive ability. People said In 1872
that while they had confidence in Mr.. Gree'ey's
honesty of purpose he would be- unable 10 stand up
against the influences that would surround lin If
he was elected They could not say that of Judge
Davis His election would break mp the old party
,resni- U.s. aud that is \ contamination deyoutly
to be wished"
"Whcn you say that the Republicans cannot name
n man who can be elected il Judge Davis is romi-
mated Mt ST. Louis and not hampered with plat
form, do You not forget that Mr. Blaine is now
ahead Of all other candidates, and that, should he
fail, Secretary Bristow has legion of supporters
who are by no means Respondent y | asked.
"No. | do not,D he said. lyon must remember
that the great contest Of the campaign Is to be
fought in Ohio and Indiana in October Now neither
Blaine nor Brstow could carry either of those States
against Davis. BESIDES these, be would certainly
carry every State now conceded to the Democrats,
as well "a Illinois and Wisconsin, while with the
prestige gained in the West in October, he would
enter the later contest in the East under very favor
able circumstances. | think lie wouli carry New
York (his opinions on the currency are AZ sound as
those of any man the Republicans can namel, Con-
nectcut, and New-Jcrsey, and, perhaps, New-iiamp-
shire and Pennsylvania. Indeed. believe the reyo-
luton would be as sweeping that which gave the
Wings their victory in 1910"
81 find that the Democratic leaders here in Wash
ington are far from insensble to the advantages
they would gain by the nomination of Judge Davis.
They arc committed to no candidate and are divided
nv no factions. Whatever we may think of their
sagaclty and wisdom ia the management Of affairs
in the House, they pursuing policy III regard to
the Presidential nomination which is an eminently
strong one. If prejudces against any of the candi
dates exist, they find no expression. believe they
place the prospect of above all personal con-
alterations and this makes me look very confidently
for the nomination Of Judge Davis at st. Louis. III
he il a candidate shall vote for him; if he is not,
shall probably vote for Mr.. Blaine Or.Secretary
Bristow one Of whom assume will be the Republi-
can nominee. 1 will not, under any probable cir
cumstances vote for either Morton or Conkling."
As q chip showing the direction OF one current in
the great ocean of Presidential gossip and intrigue,
| repeat this conversation for what it is worth
z. l.. w.