The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-04-02
THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL
NOMINATION.

nominations are taking form. On the
Democratic side it is least well defined,
and the only gertrude about it is that
Senator Hill viii not be the nominee.
On the Republican side it is becoming
clear that the choice OF the party will fall
upon the present incumbent. Mr.. Gull
lom has withdrawn from the race. The
Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas, Indiana
and Louisiana Conventions have in
dorsed Mr.. Harrison, and it is known
that other conventions will follow suit.
Already number of district delegates
have been instructed for him in Kansas
and Iowa, and only one State, Pennsyl-
vania. has given instructions for any
other candidate.
We are safe in assuming then that Pres
ident Harrison will be renominated, and
that Mr.. Blaine will adhere to the letter
of his withdrawal from the race. 1t is
painfully evident that Mr.. Blaine is not
now and has not been for some time con-
trolling the foreign policy of the country,
or directing the affairs of the State De-
partment. His health has declined. and
he is a wise man to realize it and to re-
tire to rest from contention and activity.
He can well afford to do so, since he has
such place in the esteem and profound
regard OF the people that scarcely Presi-
dental honors could add to its value and
high character. Mr.. Blaine's has been
an active, useful life; the life of the states
man, devoted, patriotic and large-minded,
whose genius compasses every detail of
statecraft; he realizes that now, being
physically unequal to the part in
public affairs that is required of the
President, it is the dictate of wisdom to
withdraw to the rest and peace of non
official life when his present duty shall
have been completed.
1t will be well for the Republican party
to renominate General Harrison-it
would be a political mistake to fail to do
so, because that failure would endanger
the party success. We have observed
President Harrison's course critically and
calmly, and free from the bias of parti-
sanship, and are convinced that in the
face of the record of his Administration
to name new man for the place would
be serious error by his party. His adj
ministration of foreign affairs has been
dignified, patriotic, all American, and
has endeared him to the people of the
Republic. We do not think tina. even a
political opponent worthy of any consid-
Grafton will be found to rise up and con-
denim that policy, or aim at it so much as
the shaft of satire. The truth is that by
its management of our foreign relations
Mr.. Harrison's Administration has in
spired the people with perfect confidence
in the Amerlcanism, patriotism ana mod
Grafton of its head. This gives President
Harrison, therefore, powerful impetus
toward the nomination.
The Presidents appointments, as a
rule, have been discreet and good. He
has had the courage on more than one
important occasion to put into places of
high trust his political foes because of
their eminent fitness and superior quail
fication-the doing of which indicates
that he considers his country first. His
appointments have included citizens of
this coast and this State, and to them
have been given high diplomatic places
representing the nation in powerful
countries on the other side of the Pacific
and in some of lesser importance to the
south of US. This recognition of the Pa
cific Coast we cannot fail to appreciate
and acknowledge. IF insensible to the
influence it gives the Pacific States to be
thus distinguished, we as people would
be unworthy of the honor of such re-
cognition. 1t was not the fault of
General Harrison that California did not
obtain Cabinet position. It was wholly
chargeable to the provincialism of Cali
fornia, which seems determined that no
man OF her people shall acquire reputa-
ton for public spirit or for ability. 1t
would seem that the instant man arises
among us who exhibits anything like
ability which would secure national rec
ignition, and demonstrate to the nation
that we can produce men as well as fruit
and wheat, our people jump upon him
with both feet and crush him, and in the
effort to do so are willing to forego all the
benefits that would accrue from recogni-
ton of brain and ability of California de-
velopment.
After time we will feel the shame for
this disposition that is meet, but not I'M
til we shall have realized that we have
lost some splendid opportunities by a
jealousy and littleness in manliness that
has made US at the East an object of sur
prise, not to say of amazement.
President Harrison did this State and
coast also the honor of visitation. 1t
was rapid and hurried, it is true, but its
intent and spirit were fine, and its route
was mile-posted with addresses that have
won universal commendation for their
patriotic ring and statesmanlike tone.
Locally, then, California would have
special cause for satisfaction if his party