New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-21
CONDITIONS or CANDIDACY.


at this time of this year are very much Ike
elaborate crop reports in February. Specula-
TORS political or other, may be amused but
meu who know anything worth knowing re-
member that Presidential regulations are
often made after this date of the previous year,
that il takes a man OF mraculously long wind
to run from July. 1888, uLUl November
1884 and not get completely blown, and that
the too-previous" candidates who insist upon
getting to the front about this time usually get
to the rear before oil is done. For instance,
just now a great many Democrats are medi-
tating the old ticket" aud Others are shouting
for General Butler. But il Is plain enough to
the experienced that a candidate may be
practically forced upon the party 10y the re-
suits of some election this fall, or by perform
ances in Congress next winter. There was
vast deal of preliminary shouting and cutlery,
Jrior to the conventions of 1880, Gy friends of
men who never had q real chance OF DOmlna-
ton. General Grant was then one OF the I'M
possibilities, aud Mr.. Tilden another. 1t re-
mains to he seen whether lapse OF time has
gwen new life to either OF them.
When conve ntlon gets itself actually as
sembled, and beyond the empty shouting stage
atey conf ront few stubborn facts. The first
is that Ohio votes Tor State officers In October
The candidate who cannot make his party
strOng in that State has large obstacle to
overcome at the Outset-one that will look
bigger and more ugly every hour to the cool
headed men who do the calculating for the
party, as they anticipate the contingencies of
the campaign in their order. This condition
does not necessarily involve an Ohio candidate
for either party, but it does call for candidate
who has strength in that State. There are
several Republicans who could carry Ohio with
a high degree Of certainty. III the Democrats
can find one who has more than an even
chance they are likely to tall down before him.
Then another state of facts always stands out
sharply, when men get beyond the shouting
stage. candidate cannot carry New York,
New jersey and Pennsy lvania, if he and his
party are supposed to I've both adverse TO the
protective tariff. The Democratic party is not
merely supposed, but from its long record pos
itiyely known, to be hostile to that form of
tariff so far as it has any beliefs whatever, or
any impulses except hunger. That fact puts
on the shelf Democratic asDirants by the dozen,
because with them success in the great Eastern
States would be impossible, while they have
not tangible strength enough elsewhere to
recover what would there he lost. The Re-
publican party, ON the other hand, is known to
be strongly in favor of the protective system,
and it is not compelled, therefore, to select its
candidate with especial reference to his pop
ularity OH that question.
The Presidency is quito likely to be deter
mined next winter When the two parties
meet at Washington, leading men of each will
be obliged to take position on questions that
affect the votes of five great Northern States,
between the Hudson and the Wabash, and, ON
the other hand, of some Southern States. The
conduct OF one OF more men will be apt u
make the nomination of one or OF both parties.
As we do not look for the success Of Judge
Hoadly in Ohio it docs not seem probable that
HE particular boom" will outlve the year.
IL compelled at this distance to guess at the
Democratic nominee should rate Mr..
Randal's chances quite high But the Repub-
licans have yet to learn which of several lead
ers will become recognized as the wisest and
beat representative of the faith which, ia all
probability, will hold New-York and Penn
sylvania and win Ohio and indiana. Personal
preferences that men may comfortably in
dulge at present, and be happy TO express If
by so doing they can please one who has power,
will count for almost nothing when the Con-
vention comes to consider the matter as one of
political tactics
Since the era of newspapers began, most of
our Presidents have made themselves. Mr. |
Lincoln by his debates with MIR. Douglas, |
General Grant by his course during the recon-
struction period, Governor Hayes by his brave |
battle against imitation in Ohio, General Gar
field by his great strength and courage in |
tariff, currency and banking contests, created |
for themselves q reputation that made them
the men for the hour Not rarely he who seeks
with most uncommon assiduity." az President !