Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-02-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Presidential OutlO0k-Ohi0's
Duly.
WAsu1NcrnN N

EDITOR CHRoNICLE-The Democratic
majority is at sea. 1t is afraid to do
anything, and especially is it afraid to
open up discussion on political ques-
tions. 1t, in the drunken flush of ma
jority obtained for the first time since
the Rebellion, in both the Senate and
House, last spring, feeling confident of
restored Democracy, threw down
the glove, defied the Republican minori-
ty and the Executive. 1t was taken up
by the Republicans, and the defiant ma
jority were badly damaged in the con-
test which followed. Their ante-bellum
State rights fallacies were brought bold
ly to the front-being drunken with
power the result was the same as when
wine was in the wit was out. Discre-
tion went glimmering, and the country
saw plainly that Democracy of the pres
ent was the same as when, during the
war, it gave aid and comfort to the enc
my, and by the people at the polls it re-
ceived whitening rebuke, and it has
remained iCithered to the present time,
not daring to initiate in its usual blat-
ant style.
As usual, during the session of Con-
gress preceding the Presidential cleo
tion, much thought is given to the
question who shall be the candidate
of each party respectively Among the
Republicans, find, as rule, that Con-
gressmen are not eager to express them
selves in public, or to be quoted, but it is
entirely safe to say that none fail to ex-
press themselves regarding the pre-emi-
nent qualifications of Secretary Sherman,
that with him the country would be safe (;
that he would make an ideal President,
and, as such, would become an idol, as
was jefferson, Jackson. and Lincoln.
They also admit that once Nominated,
he could win more votes than any other
candidate yet named. If there is not for
him that enthusiasm among his old as
sociates in the Senate, where he won
high distinction, it is probably explain
ed by one of them, who remarked that
"they perhaps regarded him as the wall
flowers do the more favored girls at a
hop" They award him great praise for
his success in his redemption policy and
as the administrator of great depart
ment; and no pan is more generally
liked as an officer of the Government.
Hundreds come in daily contact with
him, and this has been especially true
this winter on account of the Railroad
excursions from New England and New
York, adding hundreds of curiosity
seekers to the usual daily throng, who
must see the President and the great
Secretary, and no one ranks with him
for the rapidity and courtesy with which
he receives and dispatches business.
Among members of the House there is
less cautiousness in the expression of
opinion than among Senators. Some are
outspoken in favor of Mr.. Sherman. /
believe the Republican members of the
Ohio delegation are all in his favor-an5
his actual strength is greater than ap-
pears on the surface. In the Pennsyl-
vania Convention, run by Cameron,
about one hundred of the delegates were
personally in Sherman.s favor, yet not a
vote was cast for him. Its action has
not discouraged Mr.. Sherman or his
friends, but it is regarded as the second
best thing for him that could have been
had. Its vote will be divided in the
Chicago Convention as it was in that of
1876. Notwithstanding the instructions
to vote as unit.
As to other candidates, Mr.. Blaine has
many friends-but he is young vet, and
he can afford to wait. Eight years from
now he will be the same age to which
Mr.. Sherman has just attained. Gen.
Grant, as a candidate, has also his
friends. But among thoughtful men and
conservative politicians, many of whom
are great admirers of Gen. Grant, the
opinion is becoming as strong as proof
of Holy Writ that his nomination for
the third term, though not consecutive,
would be most dangerous and proba-
bly, disastrous departure, at least for the
party, if not for the country, from the
safe precedent made by Washington,
and established by universal acquies-
ence for near one hundred years. as a
part of the unwritten law of the land.
None have been bold enough to ignore
it until this Grant infatuation seized
hold of some of his admirers. Grant
has received all the honors, all the graf
itude the Nation can bestow. He can
retire, as many good men have done be-
fore. All admit the Nation owes debt
of gratitude to Mr.. Sherman; and now.
without disparagement. to any one, let
me say that if Ohio wants to produce
President of whom she and the Nation
would be proud, she should not forego
the grand opportunity which is present.
ed. With Ohio solid and enthusiastic
for him, his nomination would be as
sured. Why should she not be thus for
him ?-not as an Ohio man, but as Ma
tional one. If there is one in the coun-
try who is pre-eminently a national
man it is Mr.. Sherman. He entered
Congress as Representative more than
a quarter of a century ago, and he has
served as such and as Senator continu-
ously up to March, 1877, when he became
Secretaly of the Treasury, where he has
proven himself to be the greatest finan-
cier of the age. A Stalwart Republican. |
yet eonseryatiye-pure in public and
private life; able, capable and fearless
in action when in the path of duty
clear-headed, large-hearted and faithful
TO all the fundamental principles of his
party "a model statesman-"the fittest
man among the candidates and the can
1idate the most fitted"
Let Ohio do her duty. her whole duty,
not only to herself, but to the, Nation,by
putting on her "solid" armor, and bat
ling for statesman recognized as sec
md to none in the land, and whose cleo
ion to the Presidency would insure the
continued prosperity of the country and
he permanency of the Republican par
y. A consummation most devoutly, !.
lot only hoped, but prayed for. s. |,