New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-17
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NO CHOICE, As YET.

There
the Presidential canvass for some time past
individuals who strongly desire the NOMINATION.
of this or that candidate have kept up discus
sion, sometimes in more or less periuic'orJ
vay and the number of favorite sons VINO arc
"mcntioned' appears to be on the increase.
But il must have occurred to every observer OF
nublic affairs that the great body OF Republican
voters have as vet shown no strong and en-
tbus;astic Interference for any of these candi-
dates Is it not observed that kind OF apathy
has prcvailed, for some time past, as II most
Republican voters, not seeing as yet cahdi-
date who quite fills their requirements as
representative of their beliefs and Wishes were
yisibly Indifferent as TO many worthy men
whose merits they do not dispute but OF wnoSo
especial fitness for the nomination at this 'iiie
| they are not convincedP
There is no lack of interest in the lIepuo-
| lean cause The discredtable Fishery Treaty
! ,ouscd very strong feeling, and one not favor-
oble "a the party in power. Since the Demo-
cratic Tariff bill emerged from the dark cayerns
In which il was framed, there have been Pro-
tests in surprising number and force, against
| the general policy of the bill, against aimos.
every important feature of it, and even against
great many of its minor clauses ana pro-
visions, which, according to men who unoer-
stand their effects, would ruin Industries IN
which multitudes of Americans are employed
The cotton goods producers of the SCUM are
among the latest and most indignant opponents
of the measure; the hemp and tax producers
the growers of potatoes, vegetables, fruits, bar
lev and hops; the iron glass and pottery man
ufacturers. the zinc and copper producers the
manufacturers of great variety of chemicals
the salt and lumber producers, and the man
nfacturcrs and growers of wool, all have Tor
wardcd separate and earnest protests. mere
is hardly Northern State in which the Repub-
ican party is not visibly gaining by reason OF
this bill: in which Democrats of local influence
have not placed themselves on record against
their party. on the ground that its ayowed hos
tlity to protection threatens their interests.
With Republican candidate who can call out
the full strength shown in 1884, there would
he small reason to doubt that the desire OF
Democrats to rebuke their own party for Its
fre-trade efforts would insure Democratic de-
feat. Local elections in this State in Maine
and in many parts of the country, have resulted
in such general Republican gains that the fact
is openly discussed by Democrats who oppose
Mr.. Clevelands nomination.
Yet one might suppose, from the lack OF in
terest shown by the great body of Republican
voters in the coming nomination, that there was
no candidate yet named L. whom they were
prepared to vote. This may "hange; indeed
there must be great change if the full strength
of the Republican party is to be brought out
The friends of many different candidates be-
lieye that their nomination would kindle ne
publican enthusiasm. and inspire Republican
efforts, to remarkable degree, and unless they
did believe this, in good faith and sincerity
they would hardly urge the party to rlsk tho
| loss of so fair an opportunity as is now pre-,
sentcd Nevertheless, the fact remains thai
the voters do not thus far manifest intense en-
thusasm or zeal for any of these candidates
| Their merits are frankly and kindly canvassed
at the same time, any practical objections te
them are quietly cxamined but OF jealous
| earnest and enthusiastic preference for either
of the Thirty or forty candidates who have been
suggested since Mr.. Blaine's letter of with
drawal appeared, there are scarcely any signs
| The deliberate, thoughtful and kindly spirit
shown in the consideration of these candidates
is not an omen Of evil UDquestionably 1t pre-
pares the way for more hearty acquiescencc
in the decision Of the convention than might in
other circumstances be possible. But should ii
not be remembered that the absence of definite
and warm preference for candidate before the
convention assemblies is in itself a sign of some
consequence?