New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-11
UNsELFJSH JUDGMENT NEEDED.

Without eXaggefdtlOn UT poetlC COioIihS' ~
may be said that the future history of the coun-
try will depend greatly upon the wisdom of the
convention which is about to meet at Chicago
II the French statesman was right, if there are
political blunders which are worse than crimes,
there seems to be peculiar occasion now for the
avoidance of such blunder. 1t is net enough
to say that man would make good President.
II he would not make q. good candidate, it may
be of no consequence at all what sort of Presl-
dent he would make 1t is not enough to say
that his nomination would please this or that
small CLIQUE or fraction of voters, or satisfy the
party in States which are safely Republican. III
he cannot surely win the majority in some Ot
the doubtful States, the satisfaction of Republ-
cans may turn to grief when the returns are re-
ceived.
The delegates from Oregon come eastward
with the Joy of great victory, to make known
one wise resolution it has taught them-that
they will not vote for any candidate whose po-
stion on the tariff question is at all matter OF
doubt or dispute. Candidates who lean toward
the Democratic side on the vital question of this
wear cannot represent the Republican party II
il means to win. Candidates who are especially
p,efelred by those who lean toward the Demo-
cratic side candidates whose past expressions or
relations have been equiv0cal, cannot be eX-
pected to lead the party to victory OF the Ore
gon sort President Cleveland whether by ig-
norance or design does not matter, has taken a
position which is not at all equvocal. The Re
publican party needs candidate whose nomlna-
ton will appeal to the convictions and klndle
the zeal of those who believe in protection, as
| Mr. Cleveland's nomination will inspire Tree
traders to the utmost efforts.
The talk of favorite sons and " dark horses
misses the imperative demand OF the occasion
party assured of victory can at times afford
to award honors for past fidelity as party
which has no higher aim than to grasp the
spoils may be bound to consider sectional OF
| local claims; but those who appeal to the
Nation in behalf of National policy, upon
which ITS prosperity depends, are in duty bound
| to present candidate who embodieS the con
yictions for which they contend 1t is not to
| be expected that the Republican platform Will
be evasive trimming or dOuble-faced, but there
are millions of voters with whom the phrases
of platform have little weight, who know
| that the life and public efforts OF candidate
on such a question, fix his purpose and that OF
his party better than any campaign pledges
can The doubtful States are States which the
tariff question, and that alone. can make safe.
There never has been greater need OF putting
aside all personal or local preferences in making
a nomination which shall represent National
cause and call out its full strength. The leader
to whom all Republicans feel gratitude for his
splendid services in 1884 has set an example OF
unsefsh devotion to the welfare of the coun-
try, and it is one which every candidate anc
the friends of every candidate may well follow
at least so far that no personal preferences Of
ambitions shall be permitted to stand in the wa!
of the best selection that can be made for the
sake of the Republican cause. There are not {
few noble end worthy men who deserve the
highest honor not few able and faithful mel
who would discharge well the highest trust
Among them there is more than one who would
probably be elected if nomnated-fOr whose
election the chances would be more than even
But it appears to be the deliberate judgment o
the Republican party, as it surely ought to be
that the National emergency should be met b!
the nomination of that candidate who will rem
der the triumph of the National cause most Ger
tain: that the convention ought TO ask, moi
whether this or that worthy and competent
man might possibly be elected, but which o.
the worthy and competent candidates can be
elected most surely. The candidate who vii
concentrate the largest force in favor of the
protection of home industry, in the States
which are doubtful, is the candidate for whom
the convention ought to seek with care, with
patience and with absolute candor and impair
TALLY Of judgment