Morning journal and courier., 1884-03-25

An effort has been made to obtain the
opinion of some of the prominent statesmen
and politicians of this State concerning the
best thing to be done at Chicago. This eff
fort has not been very successful. Most of
those who were asked to say what they
thought about the matter replied very care
fully and vaguely. Thus Senator Platt
wrote: ''My impression is that the most
thoughtful Republicans of the StateSthink it
better not to be committed to any particular
candidate in advance of the convention. +"
And Senator Hswley said ''We desire that a
good delegation shall be sent to the Chicago
convention to exert its influence in making
the very best nomination possible. There is
no lack of good candidates"
There is evidently a decided inclination
among the managers in this State for an
"unpledged" delegation, and it is quite prob
able that this idea will prevail, for there is
not, as We understand the. case, any very
general or deep desire among the rank and
file of the Republican party in Connecticut
for any particular man. There is wide
spread feeling that Edmunds would be a
good nominee, but We do not think this feel
ing is as strong as it was just before the last
convention.
But though there does not appear to be q
very strong or definite leaning In this State
towards any of those who have been 'smen-
toned, - the case is very different in our
neighbor the old Bay State. There they appear
to know what they want, and they want Ed
munds and Lincoln. We have previously
said that practically solid Edmunds dele
CATION might be expected from Massachusetts,
and expressions of opinion from all over the
State which have just been received confirm
us in this belief. A very thorough and skill
ful canvass has been made by the Boston Ad-
vertiser. Leading Republicans of the State
ex-governors, members of Congress and of
the legislature, members of the Republican
town and city committees, and those not now
in public positions-are among those placing
themselves unreservedly on record for the
conservative statesman from Vermont and
the popular war secretary from Illinois.
Such unanimity of sentiment has seldom
been observed in Massachusetts SO long be.
fore convention, and when SO little effort
has been made in favor of any candidate
4Ae Eesult OF Gne canvass 1S slgnlhcanb not
only because members are on the side OF
Senator Edmunds but because his supporters
include nearly every man who is recognized
as representative of the best sentiment o.
Massachusetts, and also many independent
Republicans and unattached Independents.
President Arthur has supporters in the State,
but only few of them are men of promi-
nence in the party or widely known outside
the State.
An interesting incident Of the Massachu.
setts canvass is the poet Whittier's letter. He
says: "For myself I would support Ed
munds or Blaine if nominated. There is
another New England man who seems to me
to possess character, qualifications and ele-
ments of popularity in an eminent degree
Senator HaWIey, of Connecticut" AS we
look at the matter it would not be a bad idea
If the Republicans of Connecticut would ego
in" for Senator Hawley as enthusiastically aa
the Republicans of Massachusetts, do for
Senator Eedmunds