, 1880-04-25

THE CHICAGO TRlBU]
Tilden himself, recognizing the formidable
opposition and no longer possessed Of the
| physical vigor he had four years ago, may
be content to exercise controlling Influence
in the selection of a candidate most likely
| to win. Finally, the two-thirds rule
will be fortiication behind which the oppo-
nents Of Tilden may lntrench themselves,
and the common aspiration for Democratic
success will prompt the Convention to unite
upon such candidate as shall promise the
most effective campaign against the Repuh-
lican standard-bearer.
The candidates named In the article to
| which we have referred as more OF less
prominent are-in addition to Tilden-
Thurman, Hancock, Randall, Field, English:
Seymour, Baynrd, Hendricks, Randolph:
| Palmer, Jewett, and David Davis. Groesbeck
| and Payne, of Ohio. would probably have
been added had the article been written two
| or three weeks later. Hancock is regarded
| as having the best chance, in case the Repub-
licaus shall select military candidate. His
elements Of strength consist in his high posi-
tion in the Union army and the fact that he
has no bitter antagonisms among the polftf-
clans, and would be acceptable to the South.
Mr.. Randall's chief strength lies in the
friendship which Mr., Tilden is said to enter
tain for him; the same may be said Of Judge
Field. Mr. Payne, Of Ohio, is believed
to enjoy this advantage, and also intrinsic
strength in his own State, which will be the
battle-ground Of the preliminary struggle in
October. Bayard's Southern origin and
sympathies will damage him in the North.
Thurman was badly damaged by his signal
defeat in Ohio last fall; and Hendricks un-
soundness on the currency question would
beat him in the Eastern States, and the same
fact will diminish the chances of other
Western aspirants, unless it would be hard
money Palmer. Aside from Tilden and Han
cock, the chances Of the "dark horse" are
regarded as the best, and the choice will be
largely Influenced by the action Of the Re-
publican Convention.
The atlantic points to one very significant
feature Of the situation. The Democrats
have no National issue upon which they dare
go boldly before the country, and they are
waiting and watching for some conspicuous
Republican mistake which will provide them
with one. The case is put in the following
terms:
A National canvass cannot well be conducted
By any party without some issue, real OF imngi-
nary, and the Democrats, in their embarrassment,
are hoping that the Republicans will furnish
them with one by nominating Gen. Grant, They
would be relieved at once Of their trouble il the
third term scheme should succeed ut the Chfcn-
so Convention. They would take the offensive
in the campaign accuse their opponents Of i'm
pcrialistic tendencies Of violating the sacred
Of placing Grant above Washington, and Of in
tending to make him President Tor life; and
they would claim for themselves the credit OF
resisting m attempt to undermine our free in
stitunons. They would pay NO attention to tho
unter-attacks upon them for their reVolu-
tionary performances in Congress last summer,
but would hammer away on the single point,
!" No third tern,-no perpetual Presdent-no
CHsa-!" That they would be able to carry with
the balance @ Of power % in the close States think
no one can question who has not an overWeen-
ing faith in the popularity Of Gen. Grant. When
which will, beyond any reasonable doubt, elect
tho candidate for whom 1t votes this year, gave
a majority-divided and Intellectual, it is true,
but still majority-against Mr. Cornell last fail
for no other apparent cause than his identiica-
ton with Grn,ltism, it will be seen how strong
will be the Democratic chances OF SUCCESS this
year 1t they have Gen. Grant to fight.
The current number Of Harper's Weekly
resorts to the same line Of argument, but
gives it somewhat different though not
less striking bearing. It points out that, in
the first two National elections in which the
Republican party took part, there was the
distinct issue Of the restriction or extension
of slavery, and there was no difficulty for
the voter to determine his preference and
standing. In 1864 the issue was the pfosecu-
ton Of the War and tho maintenance Of the
Government, and voters took sides accord
ingly. In 1858 and 1872 the elections involved
reconstruction and its settlement, and the
Republican policy was sustained. In 1873 the
issue was obscure; the result was that the
Democratic candidate received nearly quar-
ter Of a million majority Of the popular votes,
and the Republican candidate was finally de-
clared elected by single Electoral vote, and
would have lost had the result depended
upon the vote of certain Republican Sena-
tor-Mr. Conkling. The issue Of the ap-
preaching Presidential election will not
be any more clearly defined than
it was four years ago, unless the |
third-term issue be obtruded upon
the country. The deduction is that !" the can
didate rises into Importance, and the practical !
objections to candidates become vital consid- |
erations." If a candidate be put upon the |
Republican Convention by the delegates who |
hopelesly Democratic States in
combination with "instructed delegations
that misrepresent large proportion Of their
constituents in Republican States, it cannot
be reasonably denied that the Republican
party will go into the struggle at notable
and dangerous disadvantage
It is unsafe for the Republicans to count
upon Democratic blunder this year to off
set any possible laundering on the Repub-
lican side. The situation is Of q. nature to
avert Democratic blundcring. The Repub-
licans are in far greater danger at the pres
ent juncture Of affairs A Republican blum
der may be fatal, for the following conclu-
sion Of the atlantic article from which We
have quoted is palpable: IA party that con-
Ero!s the Electoral vote Of every Southern
State, no matter what principles it may pro-
pound or what course 1t may pursue, and
hat, consequently, only needs to carry New
York and one other Northern State to win, is
10t beaten i'll ADVANCE
rHE wEsTFRN TNnrhNa pafrpnan pb ;,