The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-02
Washburne of Illinois.

We have expressed the opinion that ELIHU
h. WAsHBURNE is by far the strongest man
that the Republican party could nominate
for President in 1880.
The reasons and circumstances which con-
fer upon Mr.. WAsHBURNE this exceptional
distinction are plain and obvious. His part
in the political affairs of the country has
been conspicuous He was member OF
many successive Congresses, being contlnu-
ally returned for the Galcna district from
the election OF 1882 until that of 1865. The
period Of his service in the House OF Repre-
eentativcs includes the most evcntful years
OF our recent history. First elected as an
anti-slavery Wing, he became a Republican
on the formation Of that party, and has
since remained member OF 1t. While the
measures OF the Republican party always
received his support, he was especially
noted as the advocate Of rigorous economy
in the public expenditures, and the constant
and unsparing foe Of corporations, and es-
pecially Of the land grant railroads in
their relation To the Treasury on the
one hand, and TO the people on the other
We do not remember single case in which
he did not strenuously resist every outlay
OF the public money which he could call UNI
necessary or excessive; nor did he ever miss
an opportunity Of endeavoring to restrict
the powers and curtail tho profits OF the
great corporations TO which we have re-
ferred The fact that by taking this course
he made himself very odious to certain
among his fellow members of the House,
whose ideas and purposes were OF differ
ent character from his. never cooled his zeal
or diminished his vigilance. During the
whole period he performed the part OF the
watch dog-we might rather say OF the
faithful bull dog-of the Treasury, never APP
peascd by any OF the scductons and bland
ishments which were directed toward him,
and never letting go his hold. He made
himself sincerely hated by a great many
Influential pcrsonages at the time but now
every experienced politician can clearly I'M
derstand how solidly the facts We have re-
counted would rebound to his credit under
the bright and expanding lights OF a Presl-
Dental canvass.
From the House OF Representatives Mr..
WAsHDURNE was transferred to the Office OF
Minister TO France, and here favorable for
tune continued to attend him. When the
war OF 1870 broke cut between France and
Germany and the German Embassy was
withdrawn from the French capital, the
duty OF caring for German subjects rcsid-
ing in France and unable to get away, was
conhded by Count BISMARCK to Mr.. WASH
BURNE. This duty he performed in such a
manner that while he remained popular
among the French. he gained the friendship
Of the entire German people; So that among
the vast number Of Germans naturalizcd
and voting in this country his nomination
for President would excite u degree Of en-
thusasm which could not possibly be called
out by any other candidate. Even the most
resolute Democrat Of German origin would
have to make some effort to vote against
him on election day.
II is said the Republican machine in Ill-
nois is organized against WAsHBURNE. But
by what provision OF the Constitution does
the organization Of political machine in
any one State dispose Of the Presidency Of
the United States?
Have tho Republicans any stronger can
didate TO OTcrf