The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-04-12
The Next Presidency.

The question of the next Presidency will
soon be one of absorbing interest. In about
two months more the Republican candidates
will be named and their platform announced,
and shortly thereafter the Democratic ticket
and platform will be before the country. Al
though there are many speculations at pres
ent regarding both, they are only important
for the hour. Public opinion rapidly changes,
and the favorite of to-day may be almost
friendless a few weeks hence. month ago
it appeared that President Arthur would not
have any serious opposition. Backed by the
powerful and pivotal state of New York, with
delegates elsewhere and the solid delegations
from the Southern states. which seemed GER
tain for him, he looked invincible. The sit
uation is now changed. Indications point to
an anti Arthur delegation from the Empire
state, and the delegations from the South do
not promise to be very solid for him. Gen.
Logan is the favorite in the West, with Blaine
a good second, while the Keystone state would
appear almost unanimous for Blaine. In
MARYLAND Blaine has really no competitors.
In Maine, of course, the party is for him, and
he is rather the favorite in all New England.
So at present it looks as though the Republ-
can ticket will be Blaine and Lincoln, the lat
ter being the only Republican spoken of for
second place. If the Half Breeds and anti
Arthurites of New York should centre on
Blaine. his nomination would be a foregone
conclusion, as Pennsylvania is certain for
him. The voice of these two states could not
be ignored Yet Blaine could not be elected
unless the Democrats should woefully blum
der. Indeed it is difficult to conceive OF a
blunder bald enough to lose the Presidency
with Blaine nominated over Arthur or Grant.
The antagonism between the Stalwarts and
anti -Stawarts is so great and deep seated, that
no pronounced man of either faction can COM
mand united party support. Arthur or Grant,
nominated over Blaine, would have no more
chance than Blaine, chosen as against either
of them. AT present the struggle is between
Blaine and Arthur, with chances in favor OF
the former, and if the choice remains narrow
ed to them, the Democracy need have no fear
of carrying the country.
On the Democratic side but one ticket is
mentioned old ticket of 1876, Tilden and
Hendricks. Bayard is occasionally mention
ed, and so are Hewitt, Hoadly, Flower, Cox,
Randall and others, but there is no enthu-
siasm for any of them, and there are no or
ganized efforts in their behalf. Unless Mr..
Tilden refuses to accept nomination it is
probable that the old ticket will be chosen by
reclamation. Should he accept there will be
a shout go up from the people such as was
never heard in this country, and in November
the Republican party would be beaten, dis
mayed and scattered
Should Mr.. Tilden decline, it is impossible
to predict who would be nominated. There
has been but little talk of any one but Tilden,
and there is not likely to be until he perempto-
rily declines. This he will probably not do
before the convention meets. Until the
nomination is offered he is not called upon to
decline.