Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-05-16
THE PRESIDENTIAL FIELD.

1t is quite year from now ere the two
great political parties of the country will
assemble in national conventions-the
last made their nominations in June, and
only twelve days apart-and yet the poll
tical world is as active as if the critical
moment were but week off. 1t is sin
gulsr political coincidence that the States
lately in rebellion will have the selecting
of the candidates for both parties. In the
Republican convention, should Gen.
Grant desire so to have it, it is almost Ger
tain that the solid vote of the Southern
delegation will be cast for him, and in the
Democratic convention it is pretty GER
tain that the most available Northern
Democrat who is sound in his opposition
to massing the power of this nation at the
centre, will receive the support of the
Southern Democratic delegates. And
this will be the issue, we take it, in the
next Presidential election. For many
weeks it has, in one shape or another, been
the theme Of congressional debate. The
hard money issue is over; the resumption
of specie payment has taken place, floated
in successfully on favorable balance Of
trade-a wave mountain high, for our
difference with foreign countries is in our
favor to the amount of nearly one-fourth
of our public debt every year,. The green
back heresy, of which the Hon. John Sher-
man was the prominent patron ten years
ago-even that John Sherman who, hap
pening to be our pilot at favorable tide,
has steersd the country over the bar with
out jar, has fallen into disrepute with
both parties. The gathering pros
perity of the Union under the present tariff
has lulled to rest that standing question
of nations. The only issue left has been
very clearly defined in the congressional
debates, with few exceptions quite parti-
zan in their character, and if it had not it
is ono easily comprehended by the people
of the States. Every man in Republic
knows at once what is hid in the future
when yeu tell him that his congressional
poll, his State poll, his city poll must
in the present be made liable to the
presence of the armed OF unarmed agents
of the centralizing power. 1t does not need
q volume of explanation to convince even
the most careless observer Of government
that practice which has been condemn
ed by the most civilized of nations; that
within the memory of this generation has
in single night changed republic into
an empire; that has been the subject Of
the most persistent and stringent pro-
hibitory legislation on the part of our
English ancestors, can, when introduced
into republic, have but one tendency.
And however this issue may be covered up
in the approaching political struggle by
the revival, by political leaders, of ques-
lions long since settled, we have entire
confidence that the people Of the country
will see clearly the interest at stake. That
these dead questions will be raised the
recent deliverances Of the Republican
leaders in the Senate give a most unwel-
como assurance. The utterances of
Nessrs. Conkling, Logan, Blaine and
Chandler point Enthusiastically to what
sort of stuff the coming campaign is to be
made OF. and their speeches are already
being used as campaign documents.
Concluding then that this to be the is
sue it appears that on the Republican side
Gen. Grant would be the representative
candidate. All the Republican leaders
seem to have surrendered to his superior
claims except Secretary Sherman who ap-
pears to have been furtively depredating on
presidential chances in Ohio; but we do
not expect his ,prickings will amount to
much after Grant lands in San Francisco.
Nor will Mr.. Blaine who is now peeping
through hole in the fence made for him
bv the New York "Tribue'' have much
better prospect when Babcock and Shep-
herd and some others Of the rough gate
keepers make their circuit. The 'old
MANI seems tc sit like a weight on the
Republican press Of the North and the
few who oppose him are peculiarly select in
the language they use about him, A pos
tive declaration from him that he would
not be a candidate would, however, set the
Republican camp in an uproar OF strug-
sling candidates with Conkling several
lengths ahead.
With the Democrats there does not
seem as yet concentration enough to give
any man great prominence. The party
has been too busy in it's contest with
President Hayes to commence setting its
house in order for next year. What ex-
pressions of opinion as have been made
have been as to who the party does no.
want. The preferences for candidates over
Tilden are quite frequent, but there dosen't
seem to be any particular "boem" for any
favorite as yet. In the expressions OF
preference SO far Senator Thurman OF
Ohio, appears to be the fayorite and next
to him stands Bayard.
e 49, t,a