The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-26
Defeated Candidates.

At this ante-convcntion period OF the
Presidential contest lungs seem to many 10
count for good deal more than logic. and
noise to obtain temporary mastery over
sense. Proof OF this Is limited to neither
party. The trouble is most acute with the
Republicans. whose Convention Is only two
weeks of, but no doubt the Democrats will
have their share Of the diversion little
later on. wave OF party enthusiasm for
BLAINE. as tho favorite Republican candi-
date, is ono OF the manifestations OF this
feeling, the man from Maine being tho only
surviving national standard bearer OF his
party who has preserved his title to respect
and regard. and the only conspicuous Re-
publican not identified. In the popular mind.
with recent defeats and disasters.
Admiration for a former candidate is
never wanting in advance OF National Con-
vention, and 1t is one Of tho most curious
manifestations OF popularity to be met with
in politics. Yet it Is easily accounted for.
A protracted Presidential canvass has famil-
iarized the voters with the candidate. He
has stood. during that period. as the cham
pion of his party. and has been the target
for the assaults OF It's adversaries. His
name has a familiar sound to those accus-
toned to attend public meetings. and 1t is
from the ranks OF such persons that ante
election shouters are recruited. It has been
emblazoncd upon the party banners: it re-
calls past achievements. and. enhanced by
distance. 1t renews the memories OF II previ-
GUS contest: successful or not. it makes little
difference which. Indeed. good deal more
OF this enthusiasm Is usually invoked for a
defeated candidate than for one who has
succeeded.
There never was a time. after his over
whelming defeat for tho Presidency In 1868.
that tho name OF HoRATIo SEYMOUR did not
excite demonstrations Of fealty and conf
dence among Democrats; and there was
probably no National Convention OF tho
partyin which he would not have received at
least respectable support for renomina-
ton. though it was everywhere admitted
that it would convey no promise OF success.
A similar state Of things has been shown in
the case OF Mr.. BLAINE: and in tho smaller
field OF State politics 1t is probably not
too much to say that tho mention Of tho
namo OF tho last defeated Republican candi-
date for Governor would provoke a loud
cutlery and much applause in the galleries:
ernor OF the State might be repeated with
out securing even q ripple OF attention.
1t would be. OF course. a mistake to at
tach any undue or unnecessary Importance
to these manifestations. Tho delegates
who do the nominating In q political con-
vention. and upon whose wisdom and iudg-
mcnt the responsibility OF making satis-
factory choice depends. arc not much influ.
enccd or affected by them. The problem
which presents itself to them is twofold iu
character: First. to nominate a candidate
who can win: and secondly. to nominate
candidate whose success will advance the
principles and promote the fortunes OF the
party. Tho selection OF candidates already
defeated. and sometimes discredited as tho
result Of such defeat. is not to bo regarded
as one OF tho probable duties OF any Convcn-
ton: and 1t would be most interesting
should this condition be changed this year
either in Minneapolis or Chicago.