New-York tribune., 1896-01-03
c0VrPyOR MORTON CONSENTS.

GOVERNOR MORTON CONSENTS.
If we correctly understand the situation. al
suspense regarding the willingness of Governor
Morton TO be candidate FOR the nomination
for President j. now at end and from iiliS
time forward il j. ~ be understood that lie j
in the hands of the earnest and ardent friends
who have So steadily strivcn for many months
10 overcome his reluctance 10 continue in public
life II is well that this question has been final
lv settled; for the doubt about Il was beginning
to cause serious disturbance in the minds "f
many influential Republicans. who think 1t quite
important that The great state Of \cw> ork
should go into the Republican Narionr! conycn-
ton with a definite. fixed purpose. and Il can
ddatc upon whom the Republicans Of The state
are agreed. For our own part We have been
entirely clear. from the time of the passage Of
the resolution In his favor by the state 'onv'n-
ton. that however anxious the Governor might
be 10 retire from public life he would be- I'M
alba 10 resist the friendly imporiunitics Of those
who sincerely believed that ihc Nation no less
than the STATE had claims upon his continued
public service. Anticipating the result II his
careful and continued deliberations upon the
subject, The Tribune has Insisted that there
was no need that he should make a formal
public declaration Of his willingness - yield
10 the popular demand In this regard. Not only
that there was no necessity for any such public
declaration. but that the fact ~ his making IT
would put him at disadvantage with his com
pcitors for the nomination. who without eN-
ceptIon have been discrcetly re'cent as 10 their
Presidential aspirations. leaving the matter
entirely in the hands of friends In whom they
trusted most implicitly.
II seems to u- that the Governor has acted
with great wisdom in refusing 10 make the open
public announcement ~ his candidacy when
flying riinors said NE was nj one time conem-
plating AMI To which he was perhaps urged hy
ovorzcalous but injudclols friends. Consider
ing the circumstances under which The rcsoln-
iion Of the State Convention was passed, ihc
Governor was wise in rcfrainng from amy com
initial upon the subject until he had had amp"
time and opportunity 10 inform himself. no, only
as 10 the purposes Of the movers, but IL 10 III"
effect upon the cOunir" and the probabilities of
success As 10 the former. he has undoubtedly
become convinced that The purpose was sincere.
As TO the latter. though there. has not been any
general response from outside the State in the
nature of popular uprising il is probably true
that he has received assurances from Rcpub.
correspondence and on confidential terms with
statesmen holding similar relations 10 The paris
in other States which furnish substantial
grounds for confidence If IN understanding
has been reached by which, for instance Mr..
Quay will throw the vote of Pennsylvania for
the New York candidate and Mr. Fcssenden Of
Connecticut will do the same with the small
bui no, unimporant vote Of that State. and other
powerful persons who need not he mentioned
will control similarly the votes Of their respective
delegations then Governor Morton cannot br
called as he has been and upon the surface of
things has seemed 10 be- merely II local can
1idate or 'favorlte SON II Is also 10 be con
sdered that great accesslons Of strength are
possible from Southern delegations when they
come 10 understand the situation.
The Governor was WISE too, in withhollln.
his consent until his reluctance had fairly
klndled the enthusiasm Of such influential lead
crs as Thomas {. Platt. Chaunc'y VI. Dcprw.
Warner Miller and Frank lIscock. Difference
Of opinion among these eminent Republicans.
though II might not have been fatal. would have
lefr the result somewhat In doubt. No better
evidence could be afforded Of the Governors
popularity than that these gentlemen, differing
widely as they do in personal characteristics,
and with personal ambitions not always in ac-
cord. were brought together in series Of dinner
parties. the sole purpose Of which was TO formu
late plan Of campaign In behalf Of Governor
Morion's nomination Il, St Louis Great
thonshtfiilncss and discretion manifested
also in the careful preparation made for com
muncatlng the fact OF thr Governors consent
without his being pu' To the risk involved in
his making the announcement himself The
whole matter, indeed, seems 10 Us TO have been
very wisely and judiciously handled. The forces
now enlisted in behalf Of Governor Morton
ought TO- and no doubt will. prove uncommonly
effective When 10 Mr.. Platts long experience
in the management Of such affairs there comes
to be added Mr. Depcws largehcarted sincerity.
Mr. Millcrs warmth of nature and Mr. llscock's !
untring energy. there can be no doubt as 10 the !
effectiveness Of the canvass they will make !
1t IS TOO long beforehand. OF course. TO predict |
with any degree Of certainty Governor Morion's
nomination, but 1t may nj least be said that the
announcement that he has consented to be a |
candidate. aud has placed himself I'm the hands