The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-06-05

After the first two years Of an administra-
ton, the question of two years hence is
uppermost in the minds of the people. 1t
is a truism that the nominating convention
will be left to name the candidate, but 1t is
also true that the nomination is more or less
the expression of public sentiment, for no
convention would operly disregard public
feeling 1t is therefore not only proper to
consider but it is just what the public are do
ing. Cleveland is the idol of his party. After
long years of waiting, Cleveland was the man
who gave the offices to the party and those
who were office holders then look for rein
statement or place in event of Cleveland
again becoming President. Then Cleve-
lands ponderous platitudes' have given his
party expressions that have the appearance
of wisdom and have passed for such by
virtue of continued repetition. The mug
wump press have ascribed virtues to Cleve-
land and vouched for his motives. This
has given him standing never before at
tanned by democrat, with the better ele-
ment Of his party and with independent
voters. This. Is Cleveland's strength; his
weakness is the enmity of Hill, who lost
him the empire state in 1888. The western
states will never condone his silver views.
and Cleveland is weak with the labor vote.
The present logic of events points to Cleve-
lands being retired by Jno. M. Palmer, of
Illinois Palmer is more in sympathy with
western views on financial questions, is the
prince of politicians, has war record and
would be the first presidential candidate
chosen from the west since 1860 by the
democratic party when Douglass led the
northern wing. Palmer to be sure has his
weakness, but the hope of wrestling the
northwest from the republicans will be
what will determine the action of the demo-
cratic convention. On the republican side'
events between now and 1892 will more de-
termine the candidacy than is the case
with the democratic party. From present
party feeling, Blaine stands first from every
consideration, not only in point of person
atty but in availability. The rancor of
Conkling's adherents died with the New
York senator. The fear Of a lingo policy
no longer exists. Business men have had
confidence because of widening fields Of
trade that Blaines genius has opened to
them. The fierce calumnies of the cam
paign Of 1884 will never be repeated, while
the mugwump has lost his power to injure
Blaine. The scholarly element of the party
that stood aloof in 's4 are now for Blaine
and could never again support Cleveland
with his platitudes for originality and coarse
wit for political expression. Harrison has
made a safe president and may justly claim
a denomination. His views ON the silver
question will weaken him in the north
west where Palmer's strength would be.
The campaign of 1892 will be fought out on
financial grounds and the hostility of the
western silver men will be shown against
Harrison. In order to gain an advantage
10 the next campaign free coinage bill will
be passed and Harrison will have to take
issue on the question. If the east can nomi-
nate Cleveland. Harrison may be the re-
publican nominee and the west can take
their choice. Another plan of campaign
would be the nomination of Harrison with
the expectation of carrying the east against
Palmer. The advantage is with the repub-
licans who can win without New York,
while the democrats must have New York
and some other states. But with one year
yet before the National convention, changes
are possible and probable however, and only
present views can answer for the present.