National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-02-02

the ambition of any American citizen. I'M
der such circumstances neither of the dis
tinguishcd aspirants for that honor nor their
especial friends have any occasion for the
indulgence of other feelings save those of
friendly and honorable rivalry, which
should be confined within the lines of fra
ternitv and good fellowship, and the
methods introduced into the contest should
be only such as either of the contestants for
the Presidential goal would approve and APP
plaud if arrayed against themselves.
With such Il canvass no candidate for the
honor of presiding over the destinies of this
great Nation can justly find fault with n
free exercise Of preferences or views on the
part of any citizen prior to the determine
ton of the National convention, though such
views and preferences may not be strictly
in accord with those held by others. In
nation where the widest freedom of opinion
is tolerated, and where a collision of views
is inevitable, the contests for party nomi-
nation should be conducted without bitter
strife or a resort to the methods sometimes in
troduced in q combat with the common en-
envy. The three prominent candidates for the
Republican nomination are General GRANT,
Senator BLAINE and Secretary SHERMAN
all distinguished and honorable statesmen,
and all well known to the American people.
In good time and in the way that usage
points out, the people will most likely make
selection of one of these names as the
standard-bearer Of the Republican party to
lead its hosts on to victory. In whatever
direction the honor shall be conferred, it
should be under circumstances that will
leave every sincere Republican free to aid in
the election with undated zeal and devo-
tion. A resort to chcanery to secure n
nomination, or the introduction into the
canvass of the power Of Federal patronage
TO overawe and overcome the will of the
people, is not compatible with the unties
aud harmonies of party relations aud is liza
bic to work mischief when the final battle
with the common foe ensues 1t is not wise
now to sink torpedoes in the channel we
must pass, lest they explode Mt an unfortu-
nate moment and bring disaster to our own
cause.
We are led to this line Of remark by cir
cumstances of recent occurrence. The
especial friends of General GRANT regard
him as the most available candidate for
success in the approaching canvass, and
hence declared their preference early.
They believe that their position is strongly
lntrenched in popular favor, and hence they
have quietly and steadily moved on in the
support of their iavorite candidate They
have carefully scrutinized the popular tide
and have aimed to keep within its currents.
If these shall lead to General GRANTS
nomination, they will be gratified-but
should they drift in any other direction,
and another name shall be selected they
will yield to none in their devotion and
efforts in behalf Of Republican success.
This is their position, and they propose to
stand upon this ground until the conven-
ton shall decide that it is untenable. The
friends Of General GRANT, however, have
cause of complaint and even grief at the
methods that have been introduced into
the canvass. They are tricky, aud hence
are unmanly. Take, for instance, the roor-
back so yauntingly put Naoat n short time
since by the New York Herald, in effect
that the friends of General GRANT would
before the holding of the Pennsylvania
State convention authoritatively withdraw
his name from the canvass. Once anoat,
this piece of chicanery aud falsehood had
its run, and when the HerdH was called to
the book and asked for the authority for
such a singular statement, it lodged behind
its informant, who instead of furnishing any
proof of the truth of the statement, sim,
ply reiterated it with the GOODNESS of q
practiced trher with the truth, who had
fabricated a story and then planted it upon
the basis of mere hearsay. Nobody has
stepped TO the front to assume the paternity
and responsibility Of this groceless roor-
back, and hence, after it had misled some
people and wrought all the mischief it could
in that way it has fallen to the ground as
any other fabrication does, after a short run
when it is unsustained by the truth. This
is dishonest, unmanly and pernicious
method, which, in the end, will recoil upon
its inventors, be they candidates or follow
ers. Such expodients cannot he introduced
into the Republican party in the interest OF
personal ambition without impairing the
cohesive power Of the organization through
feelings of disgust and contempt for those
who resort 10 aud use them.
Now it appears that an attempt is being
made TO change the true character Of popu-
lar sentiment in the Republican party o.
Pennsylvania by an open attempt to divert
Senator CAMERON from his allegiance tC
General GRANT. This effort, however, IL
sternly resisted by him, for he still adhere'
to his determination to support Genera
GRANT for the Presidential nomination, anC
so firmly are his ideas settled in this respect
that he win not entertain any argument t.
the contrary. He believes that GRANT can
win, and can carry New Ydk State.
1t is now said-with how much truth VIZ
| are not prepared to afirm-that a resolu-