New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-17
THE FIELD REVIEWED.

The preliminary discussion of the merits OF
candidates for the Republican nomination for
President has now proceeded so FAR, ana
has SO thoroughly developed the whole Sit
uation that fairly accurate view OF the
field is within easy range. AS to the DRIFT
Of public opinion. so far as 1t relates 10
leading issues and the most conspicuous eX-
ponents Of those issues, there seems to be nut
little doubt 1t is not to be wondered at that
in the apparent certainty OF Republican success
there should be a rather unusual number OF can
didates, nor that the claims of favorites should
be pressed with uncommon ardor. To the same
cause may be attributed as well the singular
dearth Of willing candidates for the Democratic
nomination. 1t Is quite remarkable however,
and In this fact there Is the greatest encourage
ment for Repubcans-that in all this active pre-
Eminary canvass, participated In by politicians
oftentimes more jealous than discreet no radical
differences upon vital questions nor any per-
sonal antipathies have developed which threaten
the harmony Of the party or in the slightest de-
gree mperil its success 1t Is now weu-under
stood fact that of all the candidates who have
been mentioned as even possibilities at ST. Louis
there Is not one who is not absolutely sound ana
trustworthy upon the two vital questions or
protective tariff and honest money; not one who
in the event of his nomination will not receive
the cordial and enthusiastic support Of united
harmonious and confident party.
The one thing in all this preliminary discus
sion Of candidates and issues that carries TO the
mind of the thoughtful observer Of current
politics the greatest significance is the fact that
the great body of voters-the masses. who know
and feel, as they never knew nor felt before the
hardness and distress brought home to them by
unwise economic legslation-have kept the evil
and the remedy constantly In mind without
ever permitting their minds to be diverted from
It by any subordinate consideration. They want
sound money, and they know that they cannot
have prosperous times without 1t. But they
also know that we have sound money now, with
no immediate danger Of free silver coinage and
that in these existing conditions they are not
by any means prosperous; that the times are
hard, labor poorly paid and hard to get. and that
the Government itself is running behindhand
and heaping UP deficits and debt every day.
They are confronted. as Mr.. Cleveland once
said, by condition, not theory. For that con-
dition they seek relief, and 1t is their firm con-
viction that nothing will bring 1t except repeal
of the tariff legislation Of the Democratic party
and return to the principles Of Protection. I'M
try was prosperous
With their minds so fixed it was only natural
that they should turn to one Of three men
as their choice for President. These three
were William Mckinley, whose name is insepa-
rably connected with a tariff measure which
afforded protection to American labor, and was
| accepted as the embodiment OF the principle;
Thomas B. Reed who as Speaker Of the House
al In
| full passage Of the bill than Mckinley himself.
| and Benjamin Harrison, who as the Republican
President signed the bill. These three, above
all others, represent In the mind Of the people
| the idea which they were determined to make
not only prominent, but predominant in the
campaign Of 1896. They dismissed the "favorie
sons" as a rule, without hostile criticism, but
at the same time without serious consideration
| The withdrawal OF ex-President Harrison from
the field left his name to be considered only rs
| possibility in certain contingencies, which In
review of the field have to be taken into ac
| count. 1t Is only in accordance with his own
desire that he has not been an important factor
in the preliminary canvass. Speaker Reed
through no fault Of his own, has been kept in
the background by the fact that he has been
somewhat ostentatously supported by a cotcrit
''N
ond choice after they shall have concluded tho
| "favorite son. racket. He has also suffered
| from the indiscreet zeal Of some Of his moro
active supporters. That he is still a close sec
ond to Mckinley Is quite evident, and his sup
| porters are not without confidence in his sue
| cess. The salient feature Of the situation, how
ever, is, as was stated several days ago in The
Tribune, that Mckinley is at present the leadin,
candidate, the only fear Of his friends and thu
only hope Of his opponents being that his Obvi
Gus leading position in the race may brin;
about a combination OF the field against him.
This seems to us reasonable, as we know
1t to be an impartial, view Of the situation. Al
between the several candidates, including TIN
"favorite sons" The Tribune continues to main
tain, as 1t has from the beginning, benevolen
neutrality, In the comfortable consciousness
that it can support conscientously, cordially ant
enthusiastically whichever Of them shall receiv
the nomination. Beyond that it has the grea
satisfaction Of knowing that the nominee. who
ever he may be, will represent in the most clear
concise and positive manner the distinctive prin
cIples Of Protection to American Industry ant
Honest Money, for which The Tribune has stoO
always without the least shadow Of turning.