Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-09-14
The Best Man Would be the Hes, Can.
didatc.

A staunch Republican in Cattaraugus
writes to say that "the editorial in the Ex.
press of Saturday last, suggesting the name
of George F. Edmunds as the Republican
presidential candidate next year meets with
the approval Of a large number of Republi.
cans in Cattaraugus county. There were
good many Edmunds men here in 1850" he
adds, land there are more now Indeed no
other name is mentioned with any hearth
ness"
Other expressions Of the same opinion
have reached us from various sources in vari.
Gus ways, and we have no doubt that they
faithfully represent alike the hopes and fears
of very large majority of the party in this
state. Aside from any personal feeling,
which is naturally in favor of having a can
didate whose private character is above re-
prosch as well as one whose public services
are beyond question, it is widely hoped that
the party's choice of leader will fall upon
Senator Edmunds, because it is widely feared
that no other candidate could be elected. 1t
Is surely desirable to have a candidate whose
nomination would to a large majority of bis
party, seem the guarantee OF its success. 1t
Is hard to work with will for any result, un-
less inspired with the hope that it can be at
tanned
Now, without partAking to any serious de.
gree of the fear which We have mentioned
the Express is not unwilling to admit that it
nevertheless desires very earnestly to see Mr..
Edmunds nominated, for several reasons, but
chiefly because We think he would make an
excellent President His election would
mean more than partisan success. II would
be victory which would mean the most
good to the nation. His nomination would
give assurance to the country that the R-pub.
lican party WAS still worthy OF the peoples
confidence. The party that darcs to take its
chance OF victory or defeat under the leader
ship OF its wisest and purost statesman, lust
ly places the responsibility for the event up
on the country, relying upon the good sense
and feeling of an intelligent people for the
vindication of its sound judgment in doing
so.
The nomination of Mr.. Edmunds can thus
be advised on the highest ground Yet it is
also desirable on the lower ground of expedi-
ency, and especially so in this state. We
find it difficult to think of the name of any
other eminent Republican whose nomination
would as surely consolidate and harmonic
the party's warning factions in New York
The Sthlwarts could doubtless name two or
three of their own conspicuous leaders either
of whom would be more acceptable to them
as q candidate the Half breeds would prob
ably prefer another and possibly the Iude-
pendents, if they felt sure of the partys vic
tory with a candidate of their own choosing.
would not go outside of the Empire state for
their man. But Stalwarts and Half breeds
and Independents, all alike, if they could
not have their first choice, either OF them,
would think of the name of George F. Ei
munds az their second. To no faction would
his candidacy be Objectionable.
The Express, at the last election in New
York, while protesting to be Republican,
openly advocated the election of Cleveland,
the Democratic candidate for governor, on the
ground that he was the best man.