The Washington critic., 1888-04-11
wAsHINGToN. ApRIL u, 1ss
sINGuLAR SITUATIONS.

Inc National conventions oil the
two great parties are near at hand,
although the notes of preparation on
either side are scarcely audible. We
doubt if there has been u period in
our political history, since the Ma
tional Convention system was first
established. when the public mind
was apparently so little exercised as
TO the choice of candidates, or where
so great uncertainty existed as to who
the candidates would be.
70 be sure, it is generally taken for
granted that Mr.. Cleveland's renomi-
nation by the Democratic party is
foregone conclusion, which accounts
for the absence of anything like
scramble in that direction; yet there
is want of absolute foreknowledge
even here and an element Of doubt
that is quite as far from elucidation
us it was six months or year ago.
1t is not known that Mr.. Cleveland
is Il candidate. II is not known that
Governor Hill is not q candidate.
The President has never recalled
what he said in his letter in regard to
second term, or, if so, he has never
so informed the party, and Governor
Hill, though repeatedly named as
being in the field, and undoubtedly
having some sort of a following, has
never made a sign to indicate his
position.
There may be no reason why either
of these gentlemen should break the
silence in which they have wrapped
themselves up.
In all probability, Governor Hill
will make no effort to capture the
New York delegation, and Mr.. Cleve-
land will take the st. Louis nomina-
tion as q matter of course, subordi-
mating his second term views to the
assumed will of the people.
1t is only little singular that upon
the very threshold of the convention,
as it were, there should perch an un-
solved question as TO his candidacy.
All this, however, is but the merest
shadow of a doubt when contrasted
with the impenetrable uncertainty Of
the Republican situation. There is
no lack of candidates, but week after
week rolls by and the sentiment of
the grand old party remains uncrystal-
lized in anybody's favor. 1t may
have an abundance of latent en-
thusiasm, but the magnetism to evoke
and vitalize it is wanting.
Mr.. Sherman is industriously or
ganizing the colored contingent at the
South, but q movement from that
direction, uninspired by the assurance
of single electoral vote, will have
more the semblance of funeral
march than of triumphal procession.
But who, if not Sherman?
OF all the candidates named not one
presents happy combination of the
elements of availability.
One is sound on silver in the West
only TO be unsound in the East.
Another were acceptable if he repre-
sented the genius as well as the name
of an illustrious ancestor.
Another has flaws in his Chinese
record that would lose him the Pacific
slope.
Another is too much of projections
ist for Minnesota and too much Of a
free trader for Pennsylvania.
Another is supposed to be too nearly
allied with the great railway corpora
lions Of the country to be relished by
the anti-monopolists and working
men.
Another is handicapped by his Stall
wart antecedents; of another it will be
remembered against him that he con
sorted with the Half-Breeds in the
cruel war of the factions.
Another were all right were ii moi
for falling ont with the Grand Army
Of the Republic.
But the most significant feature of a
canvass that under ordinary circum,
stances should have been energet
ically opened long before this time, is
the apparent unconcern of the Repub
licans as to the candidates in the
field and the absence of all intention
or disposition TO concentrate theii
preferencesi in advance of the eonyen
tion.
Hence the reasonable conclusion
that Blaine is still regarded as the
coming man; or if not, that the con
test is to be fought out between Mr.
sherman and dark horse.
TIE STRIFE in the House is still on
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