The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-29

strong. All the Northwest, l may say, looked
to Blaine.
The nomination and election of presi-
dent is matter of practical politics; not
of personal preferences. and from this
standpoint the sole question for the Re-
publican party to settle today is whether
Mr.. Harrison can be elected with less
difficulty than another competent Repub-
lican statesman. There is no lack of good
material. The Buffalo, N. Y, Express
the other day published the following:
This would be the Most Republican ticket
and, perhaps, the strongest that could be NOM
mated:
For President,
WILLIAM MCKINLEY, JR., OF OHIO.
For Vice President,
THOMAS B. REED, OF MAINE.
The following would be the Best Republican
ticket and probably the ablest;
For President,
JOHN SHERMAN, or OHIO.
For Vice President,
BENJAMIN F. TRACY, OF NEW YORK
Here 10 the worthiest All.soldier ticket that
can be constructed:
For President,
JOSEPH r. HAwLEY, OF CONNECTICUT,
For Vice President,
LEW WALLACE. of Indiana
There is no Disgusting the fact that Mr..
Harrison is not as strong IN New York as
some other possible candidates, because of
the unfortunate quarrel between the Plat
and Miller factions, which served to make
Collector Fassett's defeat disastrous with
out precedent, save the utter rout of Fol-
ger in 1882. There is no reason to suppose
that Harrison is stronger in Indiana than
another might be. and it is not surprising
that Republicans in the doubtful states
should hesitate to urge the denomination
of President Harrison.
The people have not been disposed to
re-elect even good president to a second
term since "the era of good feeling" ex-
PRED with Monroe's second term in 1921
John Quincy Adams, very able, pure
and accomplished statesman, who gave
his country an excellent administration,
was beaten for reelection. General Jack
son, an extraordinary man, a military
hero, an aggressive and sagacious politi-
clan, was able to secure a second term and
to dictate the selection of his successor,
but since Jackson's day Lincoln and
Grant have been the only presidents who
have been reelected. and the action of the
people in both instances was due to con-
siderations that would not have been oper-
alive save for the war. The people re-
elected Lincoln in obedience to the die
tates of common sense that it was bad
politics to change presidents during the
height of war. The reelection of Grant
was due to the overshadowing greatness
OF his military services, the memory of
which was still fresh with the people
The denominations of Lincoln and Grant
were exceptions to the mood that has pre-
vailed with the people since Jackson's day.
Van Buren,, very able and accomplished
statesman, an excellent president, secured
through ex-President Jackson's influence,
or rather order, a denomination, and was
beaten. Van Buren, was beaten for NOM
ination in 1874 and 1s4S. President Polk
was given but SINCE term; Pierce was
beaten for denomination, and Buchanan
was not even thought of for the succession.
Garfield, had he lived to fill out his term,
would have sought q denomination, and
would have probably failed of success
denomination, despite the ability,
wisdom and purity of his admin
istratiol. Tyler, Fillmore, Johnson and
Arthur, who, by tie death of the execu-
tiyes, succeeded TO the presidency failed
OF nomination for the head of the national
ticket, and Clevelands defeat in lsSs
strengthens the impression that the people
are not sposed to elect a president for
second term, probably for the reason that
the -ople believe that, other things being
equs, one term is enough. Other things
wee not equal in the cases OF Jackson,
Lincoln and Grant, but save in the cases of
exceptional men. who have been fortified
ly their close Identification with extra
ordinary events, the people are not
naturally disposed TO re-elect president
for a second term.
Political leaders in the Republican party
appreciate this feeling and are therefore
justified in hesitating before en-
dorsing Mr. Harrison as the strong
est candidate that can possibly
be selected to carry the doubtful state of
New York and the Farmers Alliance
states of the West. NJ. Harrison is an
able man; he has made an excellent presI-
dent, but in spite OF all this he NAV not be
IS strong in the doubtful states as new
man. II IS question Of practical politics
to settle Is Mr.. Harrison in New York or
Indiana our strongest candidate 10 comrel
success? II New York replies in the neg