Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-10-03
1anraslr, tntelliQenee,
EVENING. OCTOBER 3, 1882
A Dismal Nomination.

A Dismal Nomination.
OF the candidates of the Republican
party for the state offices in New York
one so far has declined and one has ac-
cepted the nomination. Congressman
at large Hepburn thinks that the "un-
fortunate circumstances that have come
to light since the adjournment Of the
convention /" makes it advisable that the
representatives of the party should be
raassembled to do their work over again !;
and he resigns his nomination under that
conviction. The nominee for governor
takes different view. He thinks that
there is no good reason to believe that
the result Of the convention was not
fairly arrived at or that it will not be
acquiesced In by the party. But, con-
ceding that he is going to be beaten, he
considers it to be his duty to go gaily to
the sacrifice. His withdrawal would, in
his judgment, result in the total collapse
of the Republican party in the state,
since it could no. be reassembled before
the election, and if it could be, it would
not be able to get candidate who would
hold the party together.
Itmust be conceded that Judge Fol-
gers position, 50 far as his party is con-
cerned, is a strong one. Mr.. Lincoln's
sound maxim that it is not well to swap
horses while crossing stream comes
into good play here. The injury done
the Republican ticket by its fraudulent
nomination can hardly be remedied by
admitting the fraud and setting up an
other ticket. That injury is irremed;-
able. The party would be very apt to go
to pieces in any effort to remedy it. Its
best plan is that which Judge FOiger
dictates to it but it is not the best plan
for himself. If he is sincere in declaring
that he does not wan. the nomination
and never did, and only now accepts it
from his conviction of what is best for
his party, he deserves a good deal more
credit for his magnanimity than
he is likely to get. He would
gain more applause by declining
a nomination fraudulently obtained.
1t is what he ought to do for
his own reputation. 1t is not right in
him to accept such a nomination :;
although it be admitted that it is the
best thing he can do for his party. He
is not bound to sacrifice himself to his
party, or to accept dirty nomination
for its sake. There is, as we have said,
q certain magnanimity in such conduct !;
such as lies in every sacrifice, how
ever mistakenly or uuworthily made.
1t springs from a generous impulse
which is itself worthy of applause,
but would be worthier if it was more
wisely directed. 1t might have been a
selfish impulse which would have di-
rected Judge Folger to decline a nomi.
nation which he believed would only
bring him defeat but it is often right
to be selfish ; and this was such case.
There may be reasons of which we know
nothing inducing Judge Folger to accept
such a forlorn candidacy as has been put
upon him. Certainly secretary of the
treasury cannot be very desirous of be-
ing set up to be knocked down for the
Office of governor and he must dearly
love his party il it is for its sake only
that he consents TO be thus abused
A Washington correspondent Of the
Philadelphia Times says that FOlger is
unhappy in his relations with the presi-
dent, whose devices are too low for him
to accept and who interferes to make
unfit treasury appointments. The
president wants to get rid of his
secretary and the secretary of his
president. But this may be as baseless
rs most Washington tales only it gives
a motive for Folger's resort 10 even
the dismal nomination he has in New
York to get away from Washington and
Arthur.