The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-07
Pennsylvania in the Canvass.


Pennsylvania. in the Canvass.
We print this morning an interesting
chapter of political history in the shape of .
series of interviews with the delegates from
the State of Pennsylvania to the Cincinnati
Convention. Pennsylvania, always pecu-
liar and difficult State to comprehend. was
never more SO than now. At time
when the republican party throughout
the Union is seeking the strongest man
to rally the forces of its discordant
factions, when the efforts Of the wisest
men in the organization are directed
toward canvass that will secure the victory
Of party burdened with the mistakes Of
seven years Of unchallenged power, we
have the delegates from Pennsylvania stand
ing by candidate who has at the best only
a limited local strength. A gentleman who
WAS elected Governor by the anti-Greeley
tidal wave of 1872 against the protests of the
best men in the party, and who has made
fair, but neither brilliant nor great execu-
tive--whose very name is unknown to half
the States of the Union-is pressed by Penn
sylvania with an enthusiasm which recalls
the devotion Of the old wings to Henry
Clay. In q canvass where the shrewd
men .of the party see that there
is q tendency to throw over the old
traditions and seek for victory in the person
of some "Great Unknown" there is q hope
that the quarrels of the candidates may lead
to the choice Of local favorite. This was
the position of the democrats of Pennsyl-
vania when they insisted upon the nominal
ton of Mr.. Packer as q candidate, who had
about the same claim upon the State that
Mr.. Cooper has upon New York-namely,
that he was gentleman Of vast fortune who
had bestowed generous gifts upon public
institution. The result was that Pennsyl-
vania had no voice in that Convention, and
was silent and helpless in the selection Of
the standard bearer.
The support Of Hartranft by Pennsylvania
is an evidence Of State enthusiasm which
will command all respect. At the same time
it will make Pennsylvania either cipher
at Cincinnati or potent and determining
influence. There is no idea, we take it, in
the minds Of the ruling men Of the delega-
thing more than complimentary vote that
will make him favorite candidate for some
Cabinet place in the event Of the election Of
o republican administration. The idea that
the nomination Of Mr.. Cameron to be Secre-
tary OF War was intended to deliver the State
spondent who reports that Mr.. Cameron and
his friends are among the warmest friends Of
Hartranft and will stand by him so long as
there is hope that he may be the "Great
Unknown" This loyalty on the part of the
Secretary of War is another illustration Of
that feeling of sympathy for man and
principle which has been governing prin-
ciple in the policy of the Camerons. At the
same time it is known that the better judg-
ment Of the Senator and the Secretary Of
War is that the State can do no better in the
event of the abandonment of Mr.. Hartranft
than record the vote Of the State for Mr..
Conkling.
The friends Of Mr.. Blaine are.led by Mr..
Mcpherson, the former Clerk Of the House
and one Of the shrewdest politicians of the
State, Morton McMichael, the venerable
journalist ofPhiladelphia. General Bingham,
q prominent politician of Philadelphia and
one Of the leaders Of city politics, and John
H. Hampton, OF Pittsburg, one of the strong
men in the western part of the State. On
the other hand the men who are known to
be in favor Of the nomination of Mr.. Conk-
ling as o second choice are Mr.. Cessna,
formerly member of Congress, Mr.. Mackey
and Secretary Of the Commonwealth Quay,
also q local politician of experience and
courage. When we add to this the will and
power Of the house Of Cameron we have an
idea of the strength of the Conkling move
ment There is disposition on the part Of
some of the Philadelphia delegates to mutiny
under the leadership Of William b. Mann. also
prominent member OF the Philadelphia Ring
and politician OF daring and experience,
but who has never been in sympathy with
the House of Cameron, and there is a like
disposition in other parts of the State; but
the strength OF Conkling in Pennsylvania
may be summed up in one sentence
.What is the strength of the Camerons?" If
that powerful feudal organization can hold
its long-continued and unchallenged power
we may expect Pennsylvania to fall
in line side by side with the friends Of
Conkling in New York. 1t will be crafty
ing spectacle TO see the two greatest States
OF the Union fighting under the banner Of
the one chleftain. Although there is much
uncertainty and disposition to give Hart
ranft romantic support it looks as if
when the time came to vote seriously
Pennsylvania would prefer Mr.. Conkling to
any .Great Unknown"
This expectation is strengthened by the
misfortunes which have overtaken Mr..
Blaine, and which, in the judgment of the
wisest men in the party, make him not only
an impossible candidate at Cincinnati, but
with a limited authority in marty which