Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-05-12
Mr.. DANA SPEAKS.
The Sun on the Political Situation
Democratic Chances Not Fiaiter.
ing-A Word About Blaine
and Others.

NEW Aohhs may ~.
The Nail and Express this afternoon will
print an interview with Chas. A. Dana of the
Sun. 1t says that to the reporters first ques-
tion as to what were the chances of democrat
ic success in the coming campaign, his an
swer was "The probability is very poor,
likewise possibility. In order to succeed in
the election against the party in possession of
the government. you must have your forces
all united, and the position of Carlisle and
Morrison is such that the democrats are dis
united and qusrrellng among themselves !;
and the republicans, who do not deserve sue
cess, will succeed. 1t is risky to undertake
the vocation of prophet, and don't knew
what the future is going to bring forth"
As to his choice for candidate, Mr.. Dana
said that Holman is his only favorite, but he
would never think Of nominating him on a
forlorn chance. He Judged that Mr.. Nor
rison has not the timber to make President
as he is neither q politician nor q statesman.
Carlisle had shown himself willing to imperil
the party's success for personal aggrandize-
ment, and he was not safe man to lead a
party. Randall stands in the crisis as de-
fender Of the only policy under which the
success of the democratic party is possible.
The democratic party cannot succeed without
carrying New York, New Jersey, Connecticut
and Indiana. The policy which Randall has
approved from the first would result in the
loss of those States. He has gained. think,
in personal popularity, or in personal con-
spicuousness in advocating ideas which he
has continuously supported during his career.
What are his chances of nomination?
l don't know that he is taking much interest
in the nominations.
Ex-senator Mcdonald is very respectable
lawyer, and man whose friends are much
ott tnl hir, To nd, ta 1ac H.,
backbone and force. To make it worth while
to elect democratic President we must have
a man who will reform the government after
he is elected. Mcdonald is not of that char
acter. Ex-Governor Hendricks nomination
is not probable. If the old ticket was posi-
bic, Hendricks of course would be an indes-
pensible part of the ticket. But that is out
of the question.
Tilden will not and cannot take the NOM
ination. When that is settled don't think
the convention will be disposed to nominate
Hendricks for the place. He has excellent
personal qualities, but don't believe he will
be nominated for President. As tor Tilden.
it is certain that if he were in situation to
be a candidate for President, he would be
nominated by acclamation, and he would be
elected by an enormous majority. His NOM
inatlon would put an end to all impracticable
men have brought upon the democracy, but
it is entirely out of the question.
He sees no signs in favor of Cleveland,
Flower and Hancock. Thurman is out of
the race. His own Judgment would favor
Bayard's nomination. he being man per-
fectlv respectable and of unquestioned dem
ocratic principles. As to the republican can
didates, Dana said that he didn't know wheth-
er Blaine could be nominated or elected. The
movement in his behalf seems very strong
and very enthusiastic, but how far it can be
successful is doubtful. The considerations
that have been brought sgainst him are not
as strong now as in 1880. President Arthur
he said, lie good man, and has made very
it better if he had been reformer and held a
strong hand on abuses. but on the whole the
people feel that the administration is strong
and safe with him.
Gen. Sherman is possible but not prob
able candidate, and as to Senator Sherman
the fact that he failed to get the delegation
from Ohio settles his case. Edmunds leads
the respectable gentlemen who never do any
thing at elections except express their opin-
ion and vote when it is convenient. Lincoln
would only have a chance after the fight had
been sufficiently tried between Arthur and
Blaine. and it was found that neither of them
could carry the convention. Blaine's friends
might then go to him just as Arthur's might
go to Gresham. 1t would be a repetition of
Chicago IN 1880, and l think it will be that
anyway-that is the way we make our Pres
idents.