New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-24
TIE pRESTDEyTIAL OUTLOOK.

TIE PRESlDENIIAL OOILooh'
Senator Cullom, of Illinois, withdraws from
the Presidential canvass, announcing in pub
lished letter that he is not candidate. While
the field is thus gradually narrowing, 1t cannot
be said that the Republican party is lacking in
worthy and popular candidates There still re-
main half a dozen or more who are favored by
considerable bodies of Republicans. Senator
Sherman. in addition to the delegation from
Ohio, will have large support from the South
and elsewhere, and merits the most kindly con-
sideration for his eminent services. Appar-
emily his strength at the outset may prove
greater than that Of any other single candidate,
though some of his enthusiastic friends make
mistake in policy, in seeking to produce the i'm
preston that the Senator already has assured
a vote nearly sufficient to nominate him. such
representations are apt to unite in action the
supporters of other candidates who are together
a majority. Next to Mr.. Sherman in visible
strength, perhaps, is Mr.. Depew, the genial,
witty ard able orator whose conspicuous success
as executive officer of great corporation does
not hide the fact that he is also statesman IN
his grasp of national questions. He seems
likely to have some support besides that from
this State. Senator Harrison goes to the con-
vention with the vote of Indiana, and some out
side support at the West and in the South.
Senator Allison will have the vote of Iowa, and
a considerable support from other western
States Governor Alger, of Michigan, is by no
means to be ignored, with the delegation from
his State heartily in his favor, and while Judge
Gresham does not start with the delegation from
Indiana, he will have numerous supporters.
Besides these. several other candidates will
have some earnest supporters who sincerely
believe them better fitted to develop popularity
in a Presidential contest than either OF the
leaders already named. Their friends, because
they only look for success in case the conven-
ton fails to agree upon either of the candidates
originally more prominent, are likely to CHING 10
their first choice persistently. Some OF them,
Mr.. Phelps, of New-Jersey, for instance, may
be heartily supported by the entire delegations
from their States, not as an empty compliment,
but in the conviction that the electoral votes
which are most doubtful could be more surely
secured by their nomination than by the selec-
ton of candidate from strong Republican
State. Thus it is clear that the field of choice,
though considerably narrowed within the past
three months, is still broad enough to make the
selection matter of some difficulty. 1t will
not be preferred by the majority of the conven-
ton, Governor Foraker, of Ohio, will have many
ardent supporters, and that Mr.. Lincoln may
start with most of the votes from Illinois, and
will certainly have some from other States. II
his name is presented
1t is not possible now, perhaps it may not be
possible until the convention has been some
time in session. to Judge how many OF the dele
gates who favor the candidates already men
toned would rather see Mr.. Blaine nominated
than ANYBODY else. His declination has had
most desirable effect; it has impelled all Re-
publicans to consider carefully and dispassion-
ately the merits of all other possible candidates,
and to realize how many there are whose selec-
ton may be advocated with strong reasoning.
II appears every day, in notices of meetings or
expressions of individual opinion, that some
Republicans have been led by their survey to
stronger belief that Mr.. Blaine ought to be the
candidate of the party. But no estimate OF the
extent of that belief can be made until the con-
yention has brought delegates together for
personal conference.
There is seen scarcely a trace Of the heated
personal devotion of feeling which sometimes
renders it hard, in q Presidential canvass, for
men to unite in the hearty support of the candi-
date. While elements of strength and weak
ness have been freely discussed, it has been in
so reasonable and kindly spirit, with rare ex-
ceptions, that the deliberate judgment OF Re
publicans rather than their passionate liklngs or
antipathes has been elected. After such dis
cussion, and under such circumstances, the Ma
tional Convention has a peculiarly favorable
opportunity to make selection which will not
only express the well-cOnsidered preferences OF
a great party, but meet the demands Of the
emergency. Each day makes it clearer that
President Cleveland will be nominated by the
Democrats, and that his party will be forced
into support of his free trade policy. The Re
publican Convention cannot overlook the ne
cessity of choosing candidate who can appeal
strongly to those Democratic elements which
recognize the necessity Of protecting home
industry.