Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-09-14
THE PRESIDENTIAL QUESTION:
The Republican Candidate FOR -.


lHarper's Weeklyl
by observing the figures of the last nation.
al election 1t will be seen that the election Of
next year is sure to be very close. In this
situation the part Of wisdom for Republicans
ls to consider every circumstance and to se.
cure every advantage. Tho Republican par.
ty can succeed in no other way, and the vital
point to remember is, that while it must
largely depend upon its general tradition and
character and service, the selection of a can
ddate is of critical importance. The ques.
tion is not 30 much who can be nominated,
but who ought to be nominated and that
being seen, the practical aim should be to
make the nomination practicable. There
are several superstitions about nomination
which ought to be discarded, but which are
generally and amusingy accepted as final.
Under the circumstances, such superstitions
must be disregarded or the result will be i'm.
periled.
Thus there is fancy that the candidate
must not be taken from small state, because
his own local capital Of electoral votes will be
too small. This is a sentimental theory which
the facts do not sustain The instant that
the candidate is nominated he represents the
cause and the party, and he is weak or strong
by his personal and public record, not at all by
his state or the number of its electoral votes.
In 1876 Mr.. Tilden was not strong candi-
date because he lived in New York nor did
the fact that he lived in New York increase his
vote in that state. He was strong solely be-
cause there was Dissatisfaction with the Re.
publican administration, and because he was
believed to be a reformer. In 1850 General
Hancock was no stronger candidate be.
cause he was by his residence ut the time
New Yorker or because he was native of
Pennsylvania. lie was not defeated for local
hut hoo l.. 1.
returned to the Republican party, and be
cause he was not thought to have especial
qualifications for the Presidency. The fact
that MIR. Bayard lives in Delaware, and that
Delaware has but three electoral votes does
not make hima weak or undesirable candi.
date of his party. He would be no stronger
a candidate in the country or in New York if
he lived in the state. His strength would be
derived solely from his public standing and
his personal and political character.
This is equally true Of the Republican side.
President Arthur would not be a stronger can.
didate because he is New Yorker nor Mr..
Edmunds Il weaker because be lives in Yer
mont. The question Of locality" certainly
Id not affect Mr. Blaine's candidacy either
in 1876 or 1880. All the men whose position
may be said to make them possible candi-
dates owe 1t 10 their promiuo nee In the
public mind aud III the party regard they are
not especially identified with any state. They
are representatives Of the party In the So
lection of Republican candidate, therefore,
all these fanciful considerations must be dis.
missed The sole considerations must be
public and private character and general par
ty confidence and regard. The man whose
public course and large public ability have
won for him II commanding position in the
country, who is free from all eutanglements
Of faction, and who is personally and official
ly without just reproach-if such man
there be-should be the Republican cand-
date