Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-05-16
NOT Graceful.


The attitude Of some of the so-called
independent delegates. or representa-
tives of the alleged reform element in
the Republican party of New York. is,
to say the least. novel. This year. for
the first tune We believe, they will ap-
pear at the National Convention with
candidate. Heretofore they have been
content to oppose prominent candidates
for the nomination, but proposed no
substitute. They were in favor Of the
dark horse. This year they have Sc
lected Senator Edmunds as a rallying
point, aud ara enthusiastic in his sup
port. In this effort they are receiving
some assistance elsewhere, principally
from New England. To this no good
Republican can offer any valid obiec-
ton. Every elector In the party has
the undoubted right to choose his can.
didate and urge his nomination by all
proper methods. But IL strikes Us that
there Is q limit even to efforts ia behalf
of any candidate. IL is reached, we
think, when threats are made by his
friends that il another than he is nomi-
mated, defeat will ensue because of their
refusal TO support the nominee.
The gentlemen prominently men.
toned as candidates for the Presiden.
tial nomination by the Republican party
at Chicago are all good mes /; there is
not one Of them who will not. IL elect
cd, prove most capable Executive.
Each Ia far superior to the great mass
Of the people In KNOWLEDGE OF and expe-
rience In National affairs. Any one, il
nominated, Ia worthy Of and entitled to
the cordial support Of the whole Re
publican party. This is, however. not
what these 30. called reformers propose.
They are Republicans II their man Is
Hominated-if, In short, they are per-
mitted to name the President other
wise they are independent. They re.
fuse 60 support Blaine. Arthur or any
other than their own selected nominee.
Their threat Of holtinp, while coaehed
In somswhat ambiguous phraseoloey. Is
none the less a menace. TO insure the
success Of Republican candidate"
gay these representative pnrists, New
York State must be carried without the
independent vote. This will not be
given TO Blaine or Arthur. Another
man must therefore be selected. II the
Independents name him they will vote
FOR him. and IL all the friends of Blaine
aud Arthur join in. he will carry New
York. We are these independents. We
nominate Senator Edmnnds."
Isn't this pretty stiff position for a
numerically small portion Of the Re
publican party 10 assume ? Are not the
friends Of Arthur and Blaine squally a.
honest Of purpose and equally entitled.
man for man, 10 be ceunted in selected
a Presidential nominee as supporters
OF Edmunds Suppose the friends OF
either Arthur or Blaine should take
such position as that adopted by
these New York independents. what
would RESULT The answer is. defeat.
Are not the supporters of the leading
candidates Just as likely 20 have made
good selection as this minority, who,
for the purpose of debating q Presi-
DENTAL nomination, assume superior In
tslligence and virtue. and declare tia,
NO candidate save the one they have
selected is worthy of public support.
We object to this sort of claim i,
should not be tolerated; ID Is anrepub
lican il is factional dictaticn in lieu of
Independence. II is not Just that q
large portion Of the party should for.
ever forego its earnest and honest pras
erenos TO placate or crafty the PREM
dices and interests Of small minority.
The threats of these so-cslled reform
ers are unworthy the claims they make
to sincerity and consi ,tsncy. They
masquerade under The name Of Rspoh-