New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-04
pRESJDEYTJ4L CANDIDATES.


There is considerable dissatisfaction among
Democrats because some persons name Nh.
Sherman for the Presidency. A few journals
are so far moved that they repeat old and eX-
ploded charges against him, and discuss his
prospects as if for the Republicans it were
already either Sherman or nobody.
There seems to be little anxiety behind
these displays of feeling. That anxiety, If is
but just to say, the Republicans do not share.
They have several worthy and available can
didates, and are not obliged to stake anything
upon the success Of either. 1t may happen,
before the time OF nomination, that Mr.. Sher-
man or either of the others may appear
unavailable. In that case, the Republicans
will seek a stronger candidate. The great
difference between the two parties is this, that
nobody has a mortgage on the Republican
party. 1t has not been telling any stupen-
dOus lies TO keep itself alive. 1t has not been
pretending that one not very admirable per-
son In its ranks had solemn and sacred
claim upon the country and the party, which
it would be dishonorable not to recognize.
There Is a mortgage extant, bat IL is upon the
Democratic party. The Republicans can nom
mate either of several men without being
guilty of falsehood or SANDER, or booming it
self to defeat. Therein our Democratic fell
low-citizens are not so fortunate.
Secretary Sherman has done great things for
the Republican party, and greater things still
for the country One, at least, of the achieve
ments TO which the party may point with
pride is due largely to the care, ability and
unhnching purpose of Mr. Sherman. The re-
sumption of specie payments has been essen
| tally his work The Republican party and
| the country will not be IN any danger of for
getting his services in that regard and If there
were any such danger, the passionate abuse
| and mean misrepresentation and Islander OF
Democrats would avert it. 1t happens, how
ever, that the Republican party is not confined
to one man when it wishes to point to n
| leader who has deserved well Of the country
| 1t has more than one, who in peace or wal,
by political or financial services, has entitled
| himself to the gratitude of the country. When
| the time comes, the party will find a candl-
date for the Presidency, and its difficulty will
| be to determine which, of several who are
altogether worthy, may more advantageously be
manned as its representative.
Il The difficulty with the Democrats is thatthey
Iihave one man who holds a chatte mortgage
on the party. If anybody has doubted the
disposition of Mr.. Tilden TO enforce bis claim,
he may well examine the course of the Demo
cratic Governor and Mayor, in respect to Tam
MANY Hall and the conduct of the City Gov
eminent. The changes in the Police Board
| and other changes of political Importance, tell
the whole story. Mr. Tilden is taking posses
81 on of his property. There may be Demo-
Gratis who admire and prefer Mr.. Bayard, but
they have less voice in the matter than so
many Republicans. Samuel j. Tildcn has them
muzzled. They have yelled Fraud" and that
settles it. The party can nominate one man,
and only one, if its shameless pretence that it
was defrauded in 1876 has any foundation.
If that claim is without foundation the party
is infamous, and deserves no sympathy OF
support When Mr. Tilden takes steps to de-
grade and break up Tammany Hall, he shows
that he means to have no mercy upon men
who dispute his pretenslOns. If the Democrats
can show that any Republican candidate has
been guilty of any unworthy or dIshonorable
conduct, the Republicans may well be thank
full, and, being warned, they will select some
other candidate But however thick the
cloud upon the reputation Of Mr.. Tildcn, he
only grasps his party the more tightly by the
throat III he has used cphcrs, or wrecked
railroads. or evaded the income tax, so much
the more reason for him to- insist upon
"vindcatiOn" at the hands of his party. And
the key of the matter is that lac holds his party
by the throat. Be he good or bad, it must
nominate him, or ---!