Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-04-28
The Attitude OF Senator Edmunds.

The Boston Herdids Washington correspondent
teegraphs as follows to that paper: 1.-THE Herald
correspondent has taken some pains TO find ont
the attitude Of Mr. Edmunds on the presidential
question, and also the feelings Of the politicians
here who are friendly TO Mr.. Edmunds The
| senator does not, Of course, consent to an inter
view, nor does he permit any authorized statement
OF his views; nevertheless what follows may be
| accepted rs n correct statement Of them. lie Is
professedly sensible Of the honor which the Re-
publicans Of Massachusetts, have done him in in
dorsing him through their state convention and
choosing delegates Mt large to the Chicago conven-
ton who are favorable TO his nomination for the
presidency. He does not seek the presidential of
nee but he would not decline the candidacy II he
were nominated by the national convention. lie
regards his nomination this year a. wholly out Of
the question, but thinks II probable that either
General Grant OF Mr.. Blaine IL to be the party's
candidate In the coming campaign. lie is in
tensey DESTROYS OF Republican success In the cleo
TONS and would support either General Grant or
Mr. Blaine when nominated But II the choice Is
limited to General Grant and Mr. Blaine, then his
choice is General Grant, and II his candidacy Is
likely TO be the means OF assisting Mr., Blaine and
N'i'"''hS pNhcidi pIdnl, NJ bnt nttu Dt
prised to see him declare himself out Of the field
before the convention meets lie recognizes the
fact that Mr.. Blaine has great strength, and that,
II the Grant men lose confidence In his nomina-
ton, Mr.. Blaine may he nominated on the first
ballot. The Blaine movement in Pennsylvania is
80 strong that, unless Grant has clear majority
Of the delegates before the convention meets,
Don Cameron will be compelled, for the sake OF
his own power in Pennsylvania, to move the nom
nation of Mr. Blaine and it is well understood by
Mr. Edmunds and his friends that this is Mr.
Cameron's intention. Mr.. Cameron has already
taken very dangerous risk by antagonizing
party sentiment in his state to the extent that he
has done, and he does not intend to be counted
against the winning man in the convention, who
ever he may be. lie admits that he has no con.
troll over the votes OF his state when General Grant
IL out of the way, and takes the ground that In
that case he must conform to the wishes of his
Republican supporters and go for Mr. Blaine II
IL admitted by the friends OF General Grant that
the Blaine delegates are likely to stick to their
candidate after the first ballot, whereas, should
there be second ballot, General Grant cannot ex-
pect to gain any votes, but much OF the Grant
support is likely to go at once to Mr. Blaine $
nomination Mr. Edmunds does not wish to do
anything that may render it certain. Should the
Blaine men secure the Illinois delegation and
should it, therefore. appear on the eve of the con-
vention that 1t Is necessary for all the opponents
Of Mr. Blaine tocombine on General Grant to beat
him, Mr.. Edmunds will undoubtedly urge that
course upon all his friends and supporters. lie
holds party success to be duty, and, without go
ing at length into the matter, it is sufficient to