Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-04-01
Grant or Washburne.

The student 1t the poitticti situs-
ton must have observed how rap /
idly or late republican sentiment % I
the presidential nomination has TAX
en- substantial and dehnable forEl.
Before the meeting of the New York |
and Pennsylvania conventions, the
Grant boom was in the nature OF
personal ovation. 1t had no politi
cal significance, in fact, though many
persons desired TO use it for party
purposes. From the Golden Horn
10 Hell Gate democrats and Green>
hackers urited with republicans to
make spectacle CT human folly
over the return of this great man,
already surfeited with elephant rid
irg and playing lion to the vulgar.
They broke their necks in strainlng
to get u view of him or their larnyx
in loud and high acclaim OF the con-
quering hero that was come. But
there could not justly be said TO be
any political intent in all this nom
sense. 1t was wholly below the
level of any considerate purpose
whatever, a kind of adult following
of the band-wagon. Bat now the
case is greatly altered, and General
Grant stands before the country as
Individually the strongest candidate
for the nomination at Chicago, the
candidate who, were tho convention
called fer tomorrow, would I'M
doubtedIy take the nomination on
the first ballot, and who may do so
in June. The very fact that New
York and Pennsylvania declared for
him. nledoinr Of the outset. two
nomination, would ordinarily be
sufficient to determine the result.
The result at Chicago will be the
nomination of Grant on the frat
ballot. if he really wants it. The
| Republic has never believed that be
does want it. Should our copjec-
ture prove true, then the General
will use his influence for the nomi.
nation Of e B. Washbnrne. All the
circumstances, of their long friend.
ship, the eminent fitness aud great
political strength of Mr. Wash burne
substantiate this view. And it is
equally as demoust-able that Wash.
burne will succeed il Grant declines
as that Grant can take the nomina-
ton before the convention is called
to order, if he so desires. For when
the break comes, the great states
that hold the bulk of power in the
convention, New York, Pcnnsylva>
MIA, Ohio, Indiana aud Illinois, will
go over to Washhurne almost solid.
~. Washburne is the second choice
of three fourths of the republicans
of the entire nation, Iand there can
therefore be neither deadlock nor
disintegration Of the strength oil
pronounced Candidates which will
not advantage him. Conceding to
Mr.. Blaine that the contest will ul,
timately lie between himself and
Grant or Washburne, and thst he
will receive additional support from
the withdrawal of Sherman and Ed.
munds, we cannot see how he can
come within fifty votes of success.
The practical question for republic.
cans of Wisconsin is to choose be.
tween Grantand Washburne. There
is yet time, ii public opinion DO or.
ganized and shaped TO that end, to
make the nomination of Washburne
reasonably certain even with Grant
a candidate. 1t Ia. fair to presume,
from the whole course of Grants ca.
reer, that he would not contest the
nomination against Wsshburne
should the latter. while supporting
him so cordially, developo consider
able independent and unsolicited
there, then, a nucleus of several
states like Wisconsin favorable to
Washburne at the outset, it would
be more than apt, it would be reas.
onably certain, to secure his nomi
nation; and with Washburne as the
nominee, the republicans can carry
the country as they have not done
since Grant fret ran, and as Grant
himself cannot again do. Shall We
have Grant or Wasnburne?-Bara.
boo Republic.