The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-01-21
characteristics OF tho washburnc Doom
so Far ms There IL ANY.

Chnract erlstics of tho Nashburnc b00hl,
SO Far ms There In Any.
Chicago Times Independently.
The failure Of the southern people to
become enthusiastic and demonstrative
upon the appearance OF General Grant
among them has turned public attention a
good deal to the rather unexpected ad-
vancement OF Mr.. Washburne in popular
favor as an eligible candidate for the Pres
idency. Tho Washburne "boom" ito en-
ploy the slang term OF the day. has every
appearance OF spontaniety. 1t has not
been worked up" by any ring or combi.
nation Of politicians having sinister aims.
1t has not been in any way promoted by
government or official influences. So far
as can be seen, it is the consequence-or,
rather, the manifestation, OF general re-
congnition not only of.the eligibility OF
the man, but Of the eminent ptopriety oil
selecting for the chief maglstracy citizen
OF admitted fitness, who has not, either by
himself or by admiring friends, advertised
his eligibility for the place.
1t is certain that the convention which
will meet in this city next June could do
great deal worse than elect Mr.. WASH
burne to the Presidency. The PROPOSE
Ito in this form denotes exactly the func-
ton that the assembly will perform; for,
unless something beyond the probable
should happen, that body will not merely
name candidate for the Presidency but
will name the next President. AT all
events, there would be loft no room for u
reasonable doubt OF this should MIR. Wash
burne be the fortunate citizen on whom
the choice should fall.
One popularity OF his candidacy would
be its strength in certain so-called doubt
full States, where it is well known the Ger.
incorporating electors hold the "balance
OF power" between parties. Wisconsin is
perhaps not to be regarded as doubtful
State, whomsoever the candidates may be;
but in certain contingencies Minnesota,
and perhaps Colorado, might be. But Mr..
Washburne, by his exceptional popularity
among that class OF electors, would GER
tainly receive the votes OF every north
western State, and probably the votes Of
Indiana, for which hardly any other man
called Republican could hope.
Another reason which compels the
FINES to suggest to the Republican party
managers the information that Mr.. Wash
burne is one OF the most eligible citizens
their convention can name. is continued
in the fact that while he would be an ex-
ceplionally strong candidate at the west,
he would be also as strong as any other
man that could be chosen at the east.
There are not more than one or two west
ern men Of whom this can be said. II,
therefore, the convention should deem 1t
wise TO take up a western man, party sa-
gacity could not make better choice
than by choosing Mr.. Washburno.
The Times offers these suggestions with.
out bias either in favor OF or against Mr..
Washburne, or any other citizen; but sim.
ply because it recognizes the fact Of his
fitness and eligibility, as evidently great
numbers ofpsople are beginning to do in
oil parts OF the country. The people are
chiefly interested In knowing facts, and
naturally receive them with more conf.
dence from an independent press than
from dependent party organs OF design.
ing party managers.