Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-04-07
The Presidential Problem.

Washington being the political center Of
the nation, and the point whence emanate
our presidential as well as weather probable
tiles, we know of no better means of keep
ing the books posted than to give the most
apparently authentic reports emanating from
that quarter. Among the multitudes who
are daily discussing the situation, no one
seems better informed than the correspond
ent of the Springfield Republican, though of
course he writes from an independent stand
point, and is avowedly anti.Grant and anti
Blaine. In his letter Of Saturday last he
says Z" The nomination of Grant at Chicago
grows more probable; Tilden cannot be
the Democratic candidate, but will dictate
the nomination; in the event of Grants
nomination enough conscience Republicans
will bolt and vote for third candidate to
insure the election of Democratic presi-
dent. = The delegates to Chicago,
chosen at Harrisburg and Utica, may be
safely counted on to follow solidly the
instructions of the powers which named
them, however much some of them may now
protest in private that they prefer another
candidate to General Grant Illinois, the
home of the ex-president SO far as he has
one, which was claimed month ago for
Blaine, or at least to be divided is now con-
coded to the support of the third term. In
the southern and southern tier of western
states lies Grants greatest popularity as a
candidate. 1t is the best judgment here
that the southern delegates cannot be kept
from voting for him with practical unanim-
ity. Should this prove to be the case, his
nomination is secured, while for reserve
strength he will have large votes, in some
cases solid, from Missouri, Arkansas, Ne
braska, Minnesota, Colorado, Nevada Ore.
gon, and not unlikely Wisconsin and Indi-
ana. A negative but very impor.
tant element of strength in the third-term
movement is the weakness of Grants lead
ing opponent. There are many thousands of
influential aud intelligent Republicans who,
sincerely deprecating Grants nomination,
yet feel it impossible to conscientiously sup,
port Blaine. 1t is true that he
has great popular following, and counts
some good men among his friends, due to
his remarkable abilities and attractive per.
sonal qualities. But his support is not of
the solid or staying order. Although he
will doubtless go into the convention with
large vote, embracing the delegations Of Iowa,
Michigan, Kansas, California, Maine, Rhode
Island and part of those from Wisconsin and
Indiana, it seems to be altogether improb-
able, from present indications, that this vote
will receive any considerable accessions after
the first ballot. The most hope
full aspect of the Republican situation is the
growth of the Edmunds movement. If the
third term plans miscarry, Edmunds stands
fair chance of being taken up as the com
promise, better, it seems now, than Sherman.
While it is idle to expect any votes for him
| from the west at the start, there is evidence
that he would be acceptable in many quar-
ters as a second choice, and he has the i'm.
portant advantage of being on friendly terms
with all of the various elements of the party,
making union on his name natural and
easy. In any event, the cordial, persistent
advocacy OF Edmunds by three New England
states-Vermont, Massachusetts and Con
necticut-of which there is now promise,
will have healthy, conservative influence
at the convention, and, if not successful in
its definite purpose, may prove determining
factor in preventing the nomination OF the
two obnoxious candidates"