The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-02
THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE.

THE REPUBIICAN SANDIDAAA'
The opposition to the denomination OF
Mr. Harrison on the part of the prominent
Republicans who lead it Mt present in the
doubtful states is not due to any lack of
appreciation of the excellence of Mr.. Har-
risons administration; there is no denial
of the presidents public capacity and
courage; there is no depreciation Of his
personal purity and private worth. The
argument pressed by the opposition to Mr..
Harrison is the legitimate one of expedi-
ency. Eminent Republicans in New York,
Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio.
Iowa, Minnesota. Kansas, Nebraska,
Washington and California 'arc honestly
distrustful of his popular strength and are
seeking with impartial soiicitude as to per-
sons ticket certain to VIM" This is the
confession Of veteran political observer
and able editor, Murat Halsted, who is
personally friendly to the denomination of
the president.
The opposition to Me-. Harrison's re-
nomination has naturally turned to Mr..
Blaine and urged him to do nothing or
say nothing to interfere with their pur-
pose to secure, if possible. his nomination
at Minneapolis. Mr.. Hslsted confesses
that "Mr. Blaine's letter of remuneration
certainly for months gave to the president
clear field for denomination, and it is
not to be charged to Mr.. Blaine that his
name is again prominent" Mr.. Blaine, it
is certain, sincerely does not desire re-
nomination; Mr.. Clarkson says that he
neither expected nor desired the nomina-
ton in 1884; that the ambition to be presi-
dent has largely passed away fro m him,
but the Harrison opposition fairly urge
upon him that under his leadership the
party can easily win at a canter, while
under any other leader the battle at best
will be desperately contested and Of doubt
full issue.
The Harrison opposition party say that
''Mr. Blaine has done all he should do.
and all he had right to do. to show his
respect for the president and regard for
the natural ambition of the occupant of
the presidential Office for second term,
as we'll as his own reluctance to be cam
didate, and his resolution not to reappear
as a claimant, which is his pet horror, and
now all they ask is to let the people alone
and take the nomination" That there is
strong personal distrust of Mr.. Harrison's
ability to carry the country among many
Republicans is shown not only by the
attitude of New York, but by the fact that
Colorado, the Dakotas, Idaho and Mon
tana are ready to support Blaine and Sher-
man, knowing that the secretary and the
senator both sustain the presidents policy
as to the free coinage Of silver. Whether
Mr.. Blaine will finally accept the nomina-
ton which he could have tomorrow if
he would only speak the word is still I'M
determined.
In this frank opposition to Mr.. Harri-
sons denomination there is nothing that
can be fairly objected to by the warmest
adherent of the president. The time to
speak is before the convention acts, for
every Republican who participates directly
or indirectly in the deliberations of the
national convention is bound to cheerfully
rstify its action and support its choice.
The opposition to Mr.. Harrison acts in the
spirit of a committee of safety and
prudent inquiry; it says to the delegates
by its opposition to Mr.. Harrison, "The
party is greater than any man in the
party; we indorse President Harrison's
administration; we recognize his high
ability and capacity, but the political stu
alton, not only in doubtful states, like
New York, but in states hitherto Republi-
can, is one of peculiar party discomfort
and characterization. The question of the
currency; the agrarian agitation has left
our ranks in spots in a condition of doubt
full political allegiance; it is a matter of
expediency to nominate the candidate who
will be able best to compose all party quar-
rels; to recall all disaffected, indifferent or
apathetic soldiers to our political camp"
Is Mr.. Harrison that man, handicapped
as he is with the local hates and mutinies
that every national administration is heir
TOT This is the question that the doubt
full states, and the discordant, dissonant
Republican states we have named must
answer with candor, without fear, with.
out prejudice, if they would wish to be
without reproach. If they pronounce for
Mr.. Harrison he will surely be nominated,
but if they pronounce against him it
would be assuming an unnecessary and
inexcusable risk to nominate him, for a
party that includes Blaine, Sherman and
Mckinley need not be at loss for a cam