The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-01-12
TOM REED For PRESIDENT.

The enthusiasm which Maine Repub-
licans entertain toward ex-Speaker
Reed, and which just at present seems
to be crystaliziug into lusty and
hopeful presidential boom, reflects
creditably upon all concerned in it..
Mr.. Reed is a magnificent, and in bis
way, an inimitable leader; brilliant.
witty, agile in mind as he is immobile
in his physical build; one of those
rougn-hewn blocks of human greatness
which prolonged experience has sharp.
eusd and polished until it is as liue in
tellectually, as the finest Corinthian
marble No Republican who puts life
into his political associations can with &.
hold from Tom Reed the unqualified
admiration which is his honest due.
No Republican with saving spark OF
political virility in MS system could
barbor an i'll thought with reference to
Mr.. Reeds future.
Nevertheless, it is not binding upon
every Republican to concur in the
Maine estimate of Mr.. Reeds eligibility
as presidential nominee. Maine
should be ashamed of herself if she had
pursued any other course than that
which she is now pursuing. She owes
it not only to Mr. Reed but also to her
self to confer upon her son-the brain
lest, save possibly one, that her bleak
soil ever gave birth to--every honor
within her gift, every distinction that
can honestly b9 accorded by selS.re-
spectlng neighbors and friends. Maine
ought to support Mr. Reed for prssi-
dent and Republicans in, other states
will honor Maine for doing it, At the
same time, however they will reserve
the right to decide for themselves
whether such y candidacy would best
meet the requirements which 1896 will
bring into view. They will reserve
the right, while yielding unstinte d
tribute to Mr.. Reeds merits, to weigh
in the light of as yet unborn conting-
encies the claims of ali the candidates
who may strive for Republican favor,
and to choose as their standard bearer
that one whom circumstances most
emphatically favor.
Any man who shall take the trouble
to scrutinze an accurate map Of tbs
United States will perceive that tbs
state Of Maine lies at the very extrem.
ity of country Whose opposite section
is developing with amazing rapidity.
He will perceive that even our own
commonwealth Of Pennsylvania, which
we fondly imagine lies near the hub of
American genius and enterprise, ia al
most sorrowfully east of the present
center Of population; while in point oil
geographical location, it is spec on 9
great canvas in comparison with tht
immense empire toward which the ris
ing star of conquest is steadily and
quickly moving. The westwarl-shift.
ing center Of population has put two
whole states between itself and us
and the center of area, not including
Alaska, is far on the further side of tht
majestic Mississippi Does it not seem
as if destiny's finger were pointing to
an early political recognition of thi,
strong and incessant growth? Does it
not begin to dawn upon the mind o,
the long absolute east that it's sceptel
of political sovereignty has almost i'm.
percsptibly been coaxad from its grasp
| II in 1895 the Republican candidate
for president be not an acceptable rep
resentative of this great and growing
west, he will need to be an eastern mar
of extraordinary popularity and very
uncommon gifts.