Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1895-10-10
Grooming for the Presidency.

for President General Harrison
has been made the football Of
politicians for many months past.
Every week or two we have
what appears to be an authentic
announcement that he is or is
not a candidate for the nonlina-
ton of '96, and each of such
statements is. always followed by
a contradiction that seems to be
equally authentic. While all
this discussion about Harrison
has been going on every citizen
of average intelligence has
doubtless known that Harrison
would not only accept the nomi-
nation for President next year.
but would be very glad to res
ceive it.
Ex-President Harrison has
done nothing to advance his can
didacy for the nomination OF '96
There r several reason why he
has not done So. He could not
help himself if he would; he is
not built that way. He is net in
touch with the men who are
mere manipulators of our national
politics, and if he were to at
tempt TO manage himself into a
nomination he would fail disas~
treusly. Since bis retiremen5 be
has maintained himself with d de-
gree of dignity that has com
manded the respect Of the whole
American people He has many
times spoken, but always with
discretion, and never in an OBJ.
trusive or offensive way He is
the most noted man Of America
to-day for his ability to speak at
any time on any subject, politiS
cal or otherwise, and never com
mits a serious blunder.
One year ago two possible
conditions promised to enter in
to the coming Presidential nom
ihation which would have greatly
strengthened Harrison in the Ma
tional Convention of '96. There
vas then admitted peril con
fronting the honest money pol
icy of the government, and there
was also admitted peril to the
majesty Of law and order. Both
Of these issues seem to have en-
tirely persisted and Harrison has
been visibly weakned as O. Pres
idential candidate because he Of
all the men named commanded
the largest measure of general
confidence from the people for
his ability and courage to meet
these vital issues. The question
Of honest money will not be d vi
tai one in the campaign Of next
| year, aud the general revival of
industry has eliminated orgas
nized peril to life, property and
social order. The issues, there
fore, which would have made
Harrison the strongest candidate
will be unfelt in the National
Conventions Of next Year.
/ AS the issues which strength
ened Harrison have gradually
t faded out he has visibly lost
] ground by the mastery OF Qnay
in Pennsylvania and of Plart in
New York. These two impnr-
< tant States are now certain not
3 to be for Harrison. and likely to
be nearly or quite solid against
him. Reeds candidacy practi-
calIy anchors New England
against him, and McKinley's
candidacy in Ohio, with no in-
clination to Harrison even as sec
ond choice, leaves Harrison sue
istantially without any supper,
East Of Indiana, leaving but Que
State between him and Allison,
:, Of Iowa, who is likely to be
strong in the far West. The
outlook to-day is therefore, de-
cidedly against the success o
S Harrison, but it is entirely safe
to assume that he will emerge
from the contest without the
shadow of reproach upon him
b Reed, of Maine, and McKin-
: ley, of Ohio, are the two aggres
sive candidates for the Republi-
can nomination for President
IS with Allison, of Iowa, who ha:
always been conspicuous for dis
cretion. quietly awaiting the de
velopments of the contest, ant
ready to profit by any opportun
ity which may offer him success
, It is unlikely that Mckinley cal
= be nominated. He is not a mag
netic man, although .confessedl,
able, honest and with a blameles
record. both as soldier AM
statesman. The best informe
leaders of the party feel that t.
i accept him would be to declar
in favor of a return to the No
Kinley tariff that has been over
whelmingly condemned by tn
country. and that would certain
ly greatly endanger the part
success IN '96.
Reed is the ideal candidate {
the politicians. He is a polite;
jinguist of the first water, . an
t. the brainiest of all the me
named for President. He believe
in practical politics, in runnin
the government for the benet
h. of the party, and welding all i
q. powers to maintain party ascer
dency. In this he is strong ar