Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-03-31

During the past week reports from Wash
ington have indicated possible break in
the leading presidential programmes. It
was even said that President Grant would
withdraw from the canvass, in consequence
of the unexpected opposition developed in
certain quarters, and that his leading sup
porters were entertaining purpose to throw
their combined strength upon Senator Ed
munds. These reports very naturally slim
ulate the hopes of the senator's friends; for,
were they true, the whole question would
seem to be substantially settled, and in the
best possible manner. But we fear there
was little foundation for these reports. The
probability is that they were the interpreta-
ton given to recent friendly visit of Sena-
tors Edmunds, Conkling and Don Cameron to
the venerable Simon Cameron, who is in de-
clining health. We apprehend there is lit
tie hope of so happy solution of the presi
dental problem. Doubtless the preliminary
contest is to be fought out between the pres.
ent candidates, varied only as each one gains
or loses under the discussion of the public
press and in the election of delegates
Meanwhile, the position of Vermont hav-
ing been well taken by her state conven-
ton, and ably maintained by united press,
it seems to us to be the height of folly for
certain over-zealous editors to indulge in
spirit of denunciation and detractiou towards
rival candidates. Such course is not only
unwise in itself, inasmuch as it aids the
common enemy, but it is also foolish, for
the candidate thus vilified may prove to be
the nominee, on whom all good Republicans
should and will unite.
The latest outlook at Washington, which
changes almost daily seems to be fairly
stated by the non-partisau correspondent Of
the Springfield Republican:
Grants return and the choice Of a Grant del
egation from Texas the past week have revived
the Grant talk here Conkling and Cameron pro-
Tess to be more confident than ever that the ex-
president will be nominated at Chicago. Conk
ling says in so many words: 81 believe that Mr.
Grant will be nominated, that he will be elected
and am intensely for him" Cameron puts it in
this way: "Grant will be the candidate am
sufficiently satisfied that he will be elected"
Cameron says that the talk about large part OF
the PENNSYLVANIA delegation intending to vote for
BlAlne Is gross exaggeration, and evidence from
other quarters leaves little doubt that the friends
OF the Maine senator are claiming more votes
from that quarter than they are likely to get.
Conking SAYS that Virginia will go for Grant
lhis statement is the more significant when ii is
known that two leading read justers have been in
consultation with the Grant managers here within
n day or two. 1t is now practically conceded by
all Democrats that Grant would carry Virginia
over Tilden, and Conkling's declaration shows
that the Grant managers counting upon the
vote of the Old Dominion, whoever may be the
Democratic candidate. OF course everybody ex-
poets that Conkling and Cameron will talk conf
IDENTITY, however they may feel, but there is eve
reason to suppose that they are entirely honest in
their declarations. What is of more Importance
is the fact that the anti-Gant men have grow
ing sense of the difficulty of the task before them
They see that the Grant managers propose to nom
mate him even If they get one more than half Of
the convention, and they also say that at the rate
things are going now, it will be hard work to pre-
vent their securing majority. Arkansas is ex-
pected To follow Texas example Kentucky and
Missouri are already sure for Grant, and little
doubt is felt by Independent observers that ma
1ority OF the other southern delegates will go the
same way. Should Grant come any where near a |
clean sweep in the south, it would not take many |
delegations outside of Illinois to make ma jority
OF the convention and the Grant men expect to |
pick up quite number in the north outside of
Illinois, Pennsylvania and New York. The OPP |
ponents of Grant of course do not concede these |
claims, but they are considerably impressed by |
Them aud realize that hard work and "a good deal |
OF 1t will be needed to block the game"