Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-03-19
GEN. P4LMER AS 4 CANDIDATE.


Gen. John Nj. Palmer has definitely an
nounced himself as a candidate for the Pres
idency, and IN speech delivered at Spring
field, ILL.,, on Wednesday he gave utterance
to his views on questions of public impor-
lance that are likely to enter into the cam
paign that is now opening. He declared
that he would not disparage or antagonize
any of the other candidates named, and if
either of them was preferred by the conven-
ton he would give him hearty support.
His criticism of the two terms of Gen.
Grant was severe yet just, and he announc-
ed that if he had the choice of a candidate
against whom to make the contest he would
select that gentleman unhesitatingly. Fur
Their, he announced his adhesion to the doc
trines of State rights and constitutional law,
and explained his position on these points
with much pefspicacity.
We do not regard Gen. Palmer's candi-
dacy as likely to bring forth more fruit than
apostolic nomination for the Vice Presidency
on the same ticket with Mr.. Tiiden. This,
we believe, is the gentleman's purpose in
taking the field for the higher office. He is
well qualified for the second place in many
respects. In the first place he was gallant
soldier on the side of the Union during the
war. Returning from the field he was chosen
as governor of Illinois by the Republican
party. He administered the affairs of the Of
flee with rare ability and fidelity. While oc-
cupying that station the great fire in Chicago
occurred. Anew of the citizens of that town,
headed by an imbecile mayor, applied to the
general government for troops to protect
them from the invasion or an army of thieves
and thugs who, in 4heir imagination, were
focking from all parts of the country to the
stricken city. The troops were sent. Gen.
Palmer, in his capacity as governor, protested
against this invasion of the State in the most
emphatic language, calling the atten-
ton of the President to the con-
sttutlonal provision that requires
the United States to protect the States from
INVASION, land on application of the legisla-
lure, or OF the executive, when the legisla-
lure cannot be convened, against domestic
violence. The govern or insisted that
1eaefai troops had no right to be in the ex-
erclse of police duty in Illinois except upon
sucn a call as was indicated in the constitu-
ton, and as the State authorities were
aoundantly able to maintain the peace and
willing 10 DO SO, the act of sending troops to
Chlcago was nothing short of wanton usurp-
alton. For these bold utterances in defense
OF constitutional law he was denounced by
the hepuoilcan press generally, and at once
sunoered his connection with that party and
allied himself with the Democracy.
Since his retirement from official life
Gen. Palmer has been engaged in the prose.
cution of his profession, and incidentally in
tthhe-editing of newspaper of
the Democratic persuasion at his home
in Springfield. He is a clear headed, able
lawyer, enjoyinga large practice and high
standing at the bar of the State and in the
supreme court of the United States. His
public utterances on political subjects have
always commanded respect, for he has based
his arguments upon the constitution and the
laws. denouncing unsparingly all departures
from the safe guidance of those instruments
as fraught with danger to the perpetuity of |
American institutions. He is, besides, pop
ular in his own State, and could no doubt |
secure sufficient number of votes from the |
party to turn the scales in that |
now close commonwealth in favor of the
Democracy. AS candidate for the Vice
Presidency he possesses many elements of
strength, and the convention might go fur
ther and fare worse.