New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-17
THE PRESIDENTIAL QUESTION:

Two significant and Wclghty remarks ap-
noarod Yesterday in the flood Of comments on
The Presidential question. Mr. Taylor, OF Ohio,
observed that politicians who spend much timo
at Washington are not always accurately IN
formed respecting the wishes OF the people
Republican Congressman thought that Mr. LIN
coin was an impossible candidate; but Inc
nconle wanted him and elected him. Rcpub-
Ican congressman now may not quite under
stand the temper of the people regarding tho
nrotection Of their industries, or their deslre
that the next Presidential contest shall take
such shape as to bring all possible reinforce
mcnts to the Republican cause, TO make inc
result a decisive victory for an American pohcy
aooinst British theories, and thus TO terminate
tho annually recurring uncertainty and dcprcs-
sion which frce-trade attacks upon The tarlH
have caused.
At this point the earnest and almost pathetic
anneal Of "The Irish World" deserves attcn-
ton. That journal has battled most earnestly
for protection, and represents large Dody OIL
voters who can be placed in permanent hOSlll-
ity TO Democratic free trade by wise RcpuO-
Gcan management. If the Republican party
can make these voters feel that it fights without
hesitation for the principle of protection to
American industry and American rights, seeks
no evasions whatever. tolclates no Gripping
compromise with British and German traders
and their organs, courts no favor from Mug
WIND indictments or from manufacturers VINO
care more for cheap labor and cheap material
than for American manhood, it can surely draw
to itself decisive rcinforccment with cio-
ouent truth "The Irish World" says: Z" 1t is
not necessary for you to talk blarney or to play
the demagogue. There is need only that you
be true to the principles upon which the party
Of Abraham Lincoln was founded. me
Mugwumps are the political equivalents OF inc
Tories of the American Revolution. Their IN
stincts are English and not American. They
are Free Traders to man and they went out
of the Republican party in 1854 because that
marty is the National party, and because its
candidate is an American"
The question whether the Repubhcan Con-
vention can make nomination which Will not
be interpreted as yielding to Mugwump dIcta-
ton has to be met with candor. "Ihe irish
Wor]dn believes that the nomination of any
o,ber candidate instead of Mr. Blaine would
0d;scust thousands of voters who are in SYM
pathy with what they have conceived TO be
the distinguishing principle of the Republican
marty, nor would these voters be conhncd OK
c)usively to men of Irish blood" This opinion
NAV he in error. but it assurcdly deserves care
| ful consideration 1t has not been the belic1
| 90 THE TRIBUNE that the Republican party
| con,d elect only one candidate this year. But
If the noisy Boosting of the Mugwumps that
their onnosition has forced Mr.. Blaines with
drawal produces any effect whatever upon the
| public mind, 1t may lessen the chances Oh sue
cess with any other candidate
Mr. Blaine has taken himself ont OF the held
There is no excuse for equivocation about ms
letter. He had no right to say that he would
not be a candidate if his party should deiioer-
ate)y iudge his nomination necessary to Its sue
cess or to the safety Of the country. and he dc
not say that But he has declared
his personal unwil'ingness to serve again, anc
that his name will not be presented with his
consent. To say that it would not be presented
without his consent was not in his power. II
is now for the Republican party to weigh AL the
facts with care; to consider what strength
other candidates will have in the doubtful East
crn States, in indiana and in the Pacific States
10 measure the force Of any objections to eithel
| of them, and the strength which either couic
add to the party; and in the light OF all these
facts to make a nomination upon when may
donend the welfare Of the country for many
wears. All that can possibly he done to secure
perfectly fair and candid consideration OF th'
merits and the strength of every candidate has
now been done. and those who advocate tn
nomination of any one at this iuncture shoui'
realize their responsibility to the party and Il
the country for the wisdom of the advice the
| offer.