Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-03-31
Convention Prospects.

There is certain uncertainty yet abou
the result of the two great conventions tC
be held next June in Chicago and Cincin'
natl. During the last twenty years or SC
the republicans have been twice before al
sea. in 1860 and 1876, and the democrats
but once, in 1868, unless their controversy
in 1860 be taken into account and the
result of that was foreseen by all intelli-
gent observers.
Now the republicans do not know what
they will do. No doubt Il majority OF
observers, and largely those who have
great influence in party councils predict
the nomination of Gen. Grant. This is in
the face of Il fact which is pretty apparan,
that on vote Of the republican party nj
large Senator Blaine would have Il good
lead over Grant.
In Pennsylvania Senator Cameron car
ricd the delegation for Grant in spite OF
the fact that Blaine men oulnumber
Grants friends. In New York Senator
Conkling did much the same thing though
Grant is relatively stronger in New York.
The Texas delegation elected last week is
said to he for Grant though it has been
claimed by Blaine's friends. Kentucky
too will send Grant delegates.
The weakness of Gen. Grant as Il candi-
date lies in the fact that he cannot poll the
republican strength in states that would go
for S one other nominee. His strength would
be in II possible power that his managers
have with u boiling ftction Of New York
democrats; in like possibility of union
Virginia and perhaps some other southern
states.
For ourselves we should have more con
tidence in the success Of candidacy that
would be strong among republicans than
one that may draw to itself such curious
combinations as, with or without truth,
are talked of as probable if Gen. Grant is
in the field. We think too that either Nj.
Edmunds or AIR. Washburne would be
stronger before the people than would Mr..
Blaine. In Mr.. Wa,hburne's case however
there is said to be an old quarrel with Sen
ator Conhling in which the former gave
the latter the lie direct; and to carry New
York Il man must have Mr.. Conklings
support.
The reception of Mr.. Elmund5' name
all over the country has been such as to
show that his candidacy would be hailed
not only by republicans but by thinking
democrats AS one fit to be made by great
party. As we said long ago Vermont is
engaged in no Edmunds "boom "-she
would be glad to have him president
knowing him fit; but if republicans else.
where conclude to take some other man
Vermont is well content to be represented
in the Senate bY a man who, by universal
consent, confers great honor on her. Yer
mont is begging nobody and clamoring
for nobody to support Mr.. Edmunds.
Really the republican nomination is
still in doubt; but 4 few weeks may make
it certain that it will be or will not he |
Grant; in the latter case the uncertainty |
will continue up TO the convention. The |
chances are that it will not be known till |
the convention meets who will get the
nomination.
The democrats are puzzled with hard
er conundrum yet The sage of Gramercv
Park still lives. And he does not say, out
loud, whether he will be candidate be-
fore their convention or not. In fact Mr..
Tilden will see them lltcr-he will make
up his mind probably after the Chicago |
nomination and before the Cincinnati |
convention--twecn the gloamiug and the |
mirk-and will then let his confidential |
friends know what it is. The thing for
the democrats to do is to nominate II
decent nun like Hancock but the old |
whisperer only knows whether they will |
be allowed to do it,
lfGhapt is nominated by the republicans
it is very possible that Mr. Tildcn will |
conclude to run. And that is the third and
GROWING possibility of strength in Grants
nomination.