New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-24
THE QUESTION or CAADIDATES

HE QCLS ION Of tdADIDdfEo
A week has passed since Mr.. Blaines letter
of withdrawal was published Discussion has
clearly not tended toward concentration OF
opinion upon any candidate On the contrary,
great host Of candidates appears, each favored
in some section or by some element. The
tendency appears to be to divide the votes OF
the important States upon many candidates
1t may be noticed that there is scarcely one OF
the decisive States in which there arc not three
or more candidates whose friends wish to
divide the delegation.
Some of The candidates suggested have been
virtually removed from the contest already.
General Sheridan appeared likely to
prove prominent in the race, but
ho has promptly refused to accept the nom
nation, and his circumstances and position are
such that it may easily be assumed that his
declination is final. Among other candidates
Senator sherman has perhaps shown more
strength than any other thus far, as is natural
because of his longer prominence IN PUBIC
life and in the history of the Republican party.
With good reason, every Republican feels that
he owes to the Senator from Ohio debt of
gratitude for his achievements as Secretary OF
the Treasury in the resumption Of specie pay
ments But there are not many who have yet
considered carefully, as all Republicans Will
consider bcfuru the nomination 20 ''-%de' What
the Senator's prospects would be OF carrying
New York or New-Jersey. So Of other candi-
dates who are mdeniably strong in Now-f ork
or New-Jersey it has not yet been sufficiently
considered what chance they would have OF
success in Pacific States or in Indiana. or
whether they would render Republican pros
meets doubtful in Wisconsin, Michigan on
Minnesota.
Thus it cannot be said that the problem has
vet approached solution. But one other fact
comes into view, that the hostility OF Mug
wumps and profcSsed Independents would DO
found lust as intense and as bitter, Tor any man
nominated by the friends Of MIR. Blaine and
known to be his friend, as it would have been
for Mr. Blaine himself without the compensat-
ing advantage which his personal popularity
would have given. Already it is said in SIG
nifcant quarters that those who boast OF their
defeat of Mr.. Blaine will not fail to defeat in
like manner any candidate with whom, as
President the influence Of Mr.. Blaine would be
large. But it is an obvious fact that the Re-
publican National Convention will be almost
wholly composed of ardent friends Of MIR.
blaine Such a convention cannot possibly
nominate any one who is recognized as espe-
cialy hostile to him. or likely to spum his ad-
vice. If the hostility Of Mugwumps and So
called Independents is as potent as they pre-
tend that it is. there would seem to be but
little prospect of averting that hostility by the
nomination of any candidate who would be
acceptable TO majority of the convention.
l. !. ait 20 ho
seen more clearly that the difficulty is radical
in its nature. Mr.. Blaine himself was savagcly
opposed because he was an earnest and repre-
sentative advocate Of the protection of home
industry. Nevertheless he carried Minnesota
and other Northwestern States in which it is the
habit to represent the opposition to the pro
tective tariff as peculiarly strong, and there
was no reason to doubt that he could carry them
again The opposition to any other Repub-'
lican candidate who faithfully represents the
same principles. is clearly to be as determined
and as malignant as the opposition to Mr. Blaine
himself. But the so-callcd independents may
dismiss from their minds the thought that
Republican nomination can be controlled I'M
hostility to the protective system by the fear Of
that opposition. More than nine tcnths of the
delegates in convention will insist upon the
nomination Of a candidate who represents pre-
cisey the principles Of which Mr. Blaine was
the most conspicuous champion. The question
for the convention to consider and for thought
full Republicans to consider before the conven-
ton assemblies. is simply this: What candidate,
representing the same principles and meeting
the same hostility. will have the best assurance
Of success in the Northwestern and also in the
doubtful Eastern and Pacific Statesp