Litchfield enquirer., 1880-03-18
Who for President :?

s MIR. EDITOR:-1 our eO1tOrlat lh tDiS Hceh D Enquirer on s'The Machines and their Men, " seems tn me very apropos of the present con- dition of things in the political world. The signs point more and more to the nomination of Grant and Tilden respectively. And what are those who cannot bear the thought of vot ing for either, ''going to do about 1t p write as Republican, one who believes that we have little reason to hope for decent admin istration of affairs should the Democrats be successful in the next election; who feels that
 whenever the Republicans may nominate, the Democrats are almost certain to put up some man for whom Republican can have no ex- cuse for voting. With Grant and Tllden the candidates. there will be every right and req son for the existence of a third party, the for. nation of which, however, would pretty cer. tainly result in the election of the Democratic candidate.
 What do we hear stated as the most promi- nent reasons why Grant should receive the nominations It is said that man is wanted who will take his seat as President. But is there man who stands any chance for the Republican nomination. who would be at all backward in taking what he was entitled to Have we any reason to think that Sherman, Blaine, Garfield or Edmunds are less qualified than Grant to decide who is lawfully elected President? If this talk of a strong man has any meaning whatever, it is that some one is wanted who, in case of . disputed election, would assume the duties of the office merely on the belief of his party that he had been law fully elected. But suppose that the Democrats should say, "We'n put up Hancock, who would have the courage, as Tilden did not, to take an office to which not only all his own party, but also great many Republicans be- lieved him to be truly elected" What an immense amount of party capital these advo- cates of third term would make out of such talk! and what delightful state of things we should have, in something less than. a year hence. wish two military chieftains, put there for tue purpose by their respective parties, cot.Aending for the Presidency. Suppose that Grant had been in Hayes place in 1876, be- iONC tLot lIC "e'Aiu AosO duISS1y oAeON AOA 0 peaceful solution of the difficulty. But now, if the ex-President accepts a nomination in the face of the widespread dissatisfaction which the mention of his name mas called forth, he We should then Lave reason to fear that, like many of his prominent supporters, Gen. Grant too had become imbued with the notion that he is the only Republican who would be able to assume the duties of President.
 But another reason given is that he stands the best show for election of any of the prom inent candidates. Can this opinion be serious ly entertained, when it must be plain to all who read the papers, that Grants name is the very one which meets with strenuous opp6si- ton within the party, and occasions threats of bolting in all parts of the country.
 The Connecticut convention will be held hold caucuses to choose delegates. According to the correspondent of one New York paper, Blaine stands ahead in Connecticut; accord ing to another New York paper, Grant is in the lead. One thing may be taken for granted viz, that the third-termers having captured the two big states of New York and Pennsyl- vania will not cease their efforts until they feel sure of nominating their man on the first ballot at Chicago. It has been pretty clearly established that the Grant movement is not spontaneous we may depend upon it that agents are already at work to carry the State for the Machine candidate. Now is the time to plan and labor for the best man for Pres- dent. When will people realize that the pr- mary meeting and not the polls, is the place for efforts for good government and for honest, clean and capable officials? We hear many respectable men say something like this
 Il don't want Grant. He is a great General, but failure as President. Any other Repub- Iican would suit me better. But I'd vote for him rather than let the rascally Democrats in to power." But does it ever occur to these gentlemt that enough Independent Republi- cans are going to repudiate Grant at the polls 10 render his defeat almost certain2 His nom- ination means Democratic success. Why don't those men who are certain that Repub- lican defeat at the polls means rum to the country, realize the danger in Grants candi- dacy and work, before it is too late. to save both party and country from annihlation 1?
 The machine politicians evidently prefer de- feat to another such administration as Hayes, and the Independent Republicans in the doubtful states will at the proper time see to it that their wish is gratified. Why cannot Connecticut send solid delegation for Sena- tor Edmunds His name meets with favor everywhere. The Hartford Courant comes out strongly for him; the other prominent party papers in the State speak in the highest terms of him. He would certainly unite the party everywhere. Not Republican would refuse to vote for him. With Vermont, Mas sachusetts and Connecticut united on candl- date, the Edmunds men would be in a posi- tion to consult to advantage with the support CTS of Washburne, Sherman and Garfield i; and at the proper time a combination on she most available one of the four, could be made
 You observe that 1 leave out of the list of names from which to select the anti Grant candidate, very prominent aspirant in the person of Blaine. But we are after candi- date that can be elected. What advantage would be gained by uniting ou a man who is
 rhly less weak than Grant himself? Can we forget that four years ago, in all probability, a bolt would have been organized against Blaine, if he had been nominatedS That Hayes nomination barely saved the party from defeat! And that the Independent Re- publicaas are more thoroughly organized and prepared for business than they were in 1876?
 Why, in several respects Gen. Grant would be stronger as candidate than Blaine. After all the scandals of his administration, Grants personal character, even among his bitterest opponents, stands unimpeached; while, from beginning to end of the campaign, Blaine
 would have his hands full explaining his re- cord, and certain business transactions. Grant --r sn