The Washington critic., 1888-06-01
WASHINGTON, JUNE /, 1888. :
TnE vloT-pREsIDENoy.

from whom Presidents should be
selected" We can't see it in this
light. Able men in retirement are no
more anxious for second-class dis
tinction than able men before retire
ment. The contingency that the
Nice-Presidency involves is one that
scarcely enters into the calculations
of an honorable man in accepting the
position. He does not take it because
of the chance that his chief may die
in Office.
Yet this consideration is one that
parties in making their nominations
should not lose sight of. Instead of
regarding the Vice-Presidency as q
place that any man is capable Of fill
ing, no matter how ordinary his
abilities, they should endeavor TO be-
stow it upon statesmen of recognized
merit, known to be competent for the
highest executive duties of the Gov
ernment, if not available for the
higher nomination in convention
Why, "as rule" we should go out
Of the active field of politics to seek
candidates for such trust is not en-
tirely obvious, especially when the
rule in this country is that able men
seldom 90 INTO retirement so long us
they retain the strength of mind and
body and the attributes of popularity
to keep in the public service and
make themselves useful.
The Vice-Presidenc is no sine
cure-no honorary mark of dis
tinction merely. 1t belongs of right
90 men of courage, matured powers
and political convictions fully abreast
with the requirements of the times
men who, if called upon in any
grave Senatorial emergency, would
give q casting vote with full knowl-
edge of the meaning and conse-
quences Of such action. There is no
lack of material for the position, and
it is not necessary to 60 to the re-
tired list for it. Patriots and states
men are not so scarce that on every
public exigency we are compelled to
so out in search of Cincinnatus to
quit his plow and hasten to the
country's rescue.
Politicians who have withdrawn
from the field have done so either
from choice or by reason of advancing
inirmities or by force of some al
verse party vicissitude. 1t is not
necessary to disturb their privacy, it
is not just to urge them against their
will, for strong and vigorous men
have stepped into the ranks to supply
their places, and, bearing the brunt
of the battle, are entitled to share in
its rewards. An cable man in retire
ment" was selected for the Vice-Presi-
dency four years ago; and the friends
of the lamented Hshdricks Will scarce
ly desire to hazard the last Of the "Old
Guard" by casting Allen G. Thurman
for similar role
TIE New York Tribune, having
announced Mr.. Blaine's final declina-
ton, shows its faith in his sincerity
by reserving its judgment in choice of
candidate to succeed him. The Re-
publican leaders are still lingering in
The hope that Mr.. BIS policy is the
'possum policy.
BUFFALO BILL wants to run second
in the race with Cleveland. Good
enough. Give the Wild West a show.
THIS Is WHAT Mr.. Allen w. Thur
man, the son Of the ex-senator, says
do not believe my father would accept a
nomination for the VicePresidency under
any circumstances. II Is foolish to urge that
my father can carry Ohio. There is no Demo
crat living who can carry Ohio for the Demo
Gratis in Presidential year.
Nobody doubts the strength of the
distinguished ex-senator. Nobody
questions that he would add strength
to the ticket. The doubt and the ques
ton are whether, under all the cir
cumstances, considering Mr.. Thur
mans age and his disinclination t,
re:enter public life, he should be use(
for purpose as Mr., Hendricks wa
used four years ago.
THE IRISH SEEN rather inclined tC
adhere TO their Plan of Campaign
than to the Pope's Plan of Salvation
As between Home Rule and ROM
Rule they prefer the former.
IRIS SAID THE chief opposition Il
Mr. Fuller's confirmation as Chic
Justice comes from Chicago. Quit
likely 1t never occurred to Chicag,
men that any of them were fitted fol
The place, but since the Presiden
thought differently every man ou
there has come to the conclusion tina
he is the one who should have beer
chosen, and he is trying to down
Fuller in order TO get a whack at il
himself. Chicago has been too mod
est all along, that's the trouble.
CHAuNcEY NJ. DEPEw is too good {
railroad president to become q goot
political President.
TIE NoRTH CAROLINA Democrats de
mand repeal of the internal revenue
system, but will favor any measure
that affords even partial relief from
existing burdens, and give uncondi,
tional support TO Mr.. Cleveland's can
didacy for reelection. Hence the