The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-04-04
General Hancock ms n Candidate.
New Orleans Picayune,


The New York Tribune ventures the remark
that n the Pennsylvania Democrats able to send
Hancock delegation to the Cincinnati Convention the
II bis state, remarks the Tribune Is solid behind
him. he win be likely to gather recruits from all other
aarer And then the Irs gees on "a ssy ,nas s
more evidences II the reviyifying effect which the
prospect of q third term has upon the Democratic
party. Tho Tribune is an uncompromlsing opponent
OF Gen. Grants preensions to the Republican nomi-
nation, and II is disposed to attribute all symptoms OF
iuence q the i tSrd-term m movement. But this shy
what gives gen. Hancock his great strength.
IL Is very true that his candidacy would give peculiar
point to the opposition to Gen. Grant. II would he
the candidacy Of the exponent OF the idea OF the
supremacy Of the civil law, and of the maintenance
Of constitutional Union with government OF
specified and limited powers, in opposition TO the
candidacy OF the exponent OF the idea OF military
snPremacy personal government and cons9aated @ ,o
tors Of constitutional limitations. But Gen. Han
cock, on these points, would equally antagonze any
Republican candidate because any Republican candi-
date must represent the purposes which the Republic
can party have In View, and the Ideas by which that
read presented % TO the country by tho oatspoSen de-
clarations OF the Republican leaders, by the Repub
can Journals, and by the partisan decision OF the
1t cannct be averted. The Republicans are deter
mined to press 1t; the Democrats are ready to accept
1t. 1t will constitute the main issue OF the contest of
1880, whether Cen Grant or any other man shall be
the Republican candidate. AS we have already showD
Gen, Hancock Is man who can combine In one har-
opinion which, differing as they may other points
are agreed on this one. 1t Is impossible to assume
that is true OF any other prominent Democrat. Re-
cent developments show that Democrats throughout
the country are rapidly coming to an appreciation Of
this truth. The crushing defeat Of Mr.. Tiden's
scheme to control the Pennsylvania convention Is Pc
cullarly significant, because II not only defeat
Of the supporters OF TildeD. but 1t triumph OF
the supp0rtersof Of Hancock The result Is by OF
the newspapers regarded victory Of Senator wal
lace over Speaker Randall; but II has much wider
meaning than this Its meaning Is that Randall Is weak
because his candidate is weak, and Wallace Is strong
because his candidate Is strong. There be little
doubt now that Pennsylvania Will elect full Hancock
delegaton-a result which cannot fail to have an i'm
niense influence on the country. The vote OF New
York for Ten would be recognized only the voice
OF political machine, the fact remaining that Mr..
ilden cannot carry the State although II Is thoroughly
Democratic. The voice OF Pennsylvania for Hancock
would he recognized the voice OF the party giving
expression to Its preference for candidate who,
In all probability could carry the State, although It Is
regarded as essentially Republican. Louisiana, also,
VIII III all probability choose Hancock delegation.
So, probably. will Mississippi and Texas and Arkan-
sas, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Alabama.
Indeed 1t Is hard to conceive why the Democracy Of
any Southern State should hold aloof from Gen. Han
cock Hence tho Tribune Is right when 1t says that
Gen. Hancock is fast becoming formidable candl-
date. He is formidable not only TO his Democratic
competitors, but the Republican party, who SEQ In
him a man against whom their favorite weapons
would be powerless and their chosen ammunition he
wasted.