New-York tribune., 1880-02-21
MIR. wAsHBURNEs CANDIDACY

HE WILL ACCEPT THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION
ONLY WHEN GENERAL GRANTS SUCCESS BIZ
COMES IMPOSSIBLE.
fFRoM REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON Feb. 2O.-The recent announce
ments. made apparently with authority, by two
Chicago journals which advocate the nomination
of General Grant The Inter Ocean and Tie Erenin0
Journal that the Hon. f. B.Washburne is not can
didate for The office of President, and that he will not
be, have attracted much attention in Washington,
and caused no little discussion.
Mr.. Washburne is very much respected among
leading Republicans at the National Capital from
all parts of the country, and while there cannot be
said to be anywhere evidence of n Washburne
boOm" he has been very generally looked upon as
an available candidate in those more proIni-
nently mentioned should fail
There is, probably, among those whose names
have been mentioned possible candi-
dates not one who would be less objec
tionabe to Republicans of all shades OF opinion.
in case the fayorites should be defeated at
the Convention, than the hOnOred ex-Minister to
Paris and it has been uncommon thing to hear
expressions OF regret among Republicans, during
the ast few days, that Mr. Washburne should pc
remptorily withdraw.
II now turns out that Mr. Washburnes attitude
has been partially msreprescnted in this particular.
The Editor of The Illinois adtsZiturg, IN
recent article which has been read with
great interest mt the Capital. declares,
as he SAYS, With the same assurance with which
The Inter ocean makes its official announcement,
and from the very same source whichis understood
TO be a declaration by Mr.. Washburne himself,
that Mr.Washburne has simply SAID that he would
not be a candidate against General Grant, and that
as long As General Grant remained in the field aud
as long as there any prospect of his nomination.
he lWashburnel would not be an active candidate,
but would divert to Grant every vote that would
otherwise fall to him. in case such vote could le
deliyered.D
This Is the position which Mr.. Washburne would
naturally be expected to hold. HIS loyalty to Cen
eraI Grant and his sincere desire for his nomination
and election are doubtcdby nobody. But The Stdats-
ZsitWHG continues:
II General G amt shall voluntarily withdraw from
the candidacy shall not receive majority oi the
votes Of the Convention aud then decline 10 contest the
nomination any further. IN that event Mr Nashburne
will refuse receive the Grant votes or any other
that NAV be given him. Mr.. Washburne VIII not, The
Inter OeaH declared allow mis- 10 he used 10 divide
the Republican party but II u also true and lhs The
Iufr-Ocern omitted and thus conveyed an errOne-
imprcs tlat ne VIII not O1rct II tue party shouu
be united and strengthened through his nomination.
In this connection il is proper TO say that six
members of Congress from Indiana, who favor Gen
eraI Grants nomination. remarked yesterday that
while Senator Blame seemed 10 be getting tho
delegates IN that State Mr. Washburuc seemed
also To he growing in popularity and would bc very
cordially supported by the Republicans ot Indiana
If he should be nominated. T.. l.. W.