THE AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4818, 31 August 1876, Page 3

THE AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

By our mail files we learn some particulars concerning the selection of General Hayes as the Republican candidate at the next presidential election in America. The Convention of the Republican party in the United States met at Cincinnati on Wednesday, June 14, to choose their candidate for the Presidency. There were 756 members, and they adopted a platform declaring that the United States form a nation, and not a league ; that a return to specie payments is advisable ; that capacity should be the passport to office ; that grants of money to sectarian schools should be prohibited by the Constitution ; that Congress should inquire into the moral and political effect of Chinese immigration ; that women’s claims to the suffrage should be respectfully considered ; that polygamy ought to be suppressed ; that the Democratic party is unchanged in its worthless character and spirit, and that President Grant has deserved well of the people. There was no division-, except on the subject of Chinese immigration, the clause about this being denounced as contrary to the Declaration of Independence. It was, however, retained by a vote of 532 to 215.

The candidates whose names were before the Convention were—Mr. Blaine, Senator Morton, Mr. Bristow, Mr. Conkling, General Hayes, Mr. Hartranft, and last, Mr. Jewell, the Postmaster-General.. It was understood that there would be 300 votes for the nomination of Mr. Blaine ; but as a very large majority is required to secure nomination, the usual compromise has been effected, and all now unite in the nomination of,General Hayes. Of this candidate the Cincinnati Commercial gives the following estimate, which is supposed to be independent ; —“ The Republican party may be congratulated upon the nomination of Hayes, as an escape from the ‘skeleton clutch,’ as Colonel Ingersoll would say, of Blaine. They have not made the strongest nomination possible, but, perhaps, the best of which the party is capable. They have not made victory sure, but they have secured what Governor Hayes said in his remarks to the Republican conference at Columbus, after his nomination last summer, ‘it is a fair fighting chance to win.’ Hayes is not the ideal candidate, but he is, for party purposes, a good candidate. He has not the aggressive energy of a thorough-going reformer, but he has the instincts of an honest man. He will probably not pursue thieves through the land like "an avenging fury,” but he will not gather them about him and shelter them' as a hen her brood under her wings. There has been scant justice done Hayes in his position as a candidate. He is of the better sort of favorite sons. His services at the bar, in the army, in Congress and as Governor have given him familiarity with pubb'c affairs. His army record has brilliant points, of which, no doubt, the moat will bo made. He was a dashing leader, having been wounded at South Mountain ; he led the flanking charge in the sanguinary battle of Winchester, in which Sheridan defeated Early, and he prevented, by an extraordinary march, the escape of John Morgan across the Ohio. Twice recently Hayes has displayed a distinctness of. outline in utterance and action that indicate the growth of executive character. Werefertohisquickand complete reply to the question whether he wasin favor of the repeal of the Resumption Act, qpd to his suppression of the riotous miners. He said he was not in favor of the repeal of the Resumption Act until a stronger measure could be enacted, and, in the case of the rioters, he quietly but effectually executed the law, doing his whole duty without any shade of demagoguery. As a candidate Governor Hayes will improve upon acquaintance. He is a man without a large development of nonsense. He is a symmetrical man, not a giant, but of good dimensions for reasonable service.” The Democratic Convention met at St. Louis, and nominated Governor Tilden for the Presidentship. Of this nomination the following varied opinions are from the New York Press;—

The Sun says: It has been evident that Tilden would be nominated for a long time past, but we none the less thank God that it is done. We care not for party, but the interests of the country. This nomination opens a way for escape from tho evils and dangers which threaten the Republic. The nomination cannot fail to excite in every part of the country the most hearty and hopeful enthusiasm. We admit no doubt of its success.

The Herald says ; It must be conceded by friends and enemies alike that Tilden has proved himself one of tho ablest, moat astute managers that ever appeared in American politics. Having never held but one important office, he lacks the Washington experience of Thurman, Hendricks and Bayard, and his nomination, therefore, is a tribute to his character and capacity, and he may be proud whether he wins or not. His nomination is not equivalent to an election ; he will have a hard battle still. The country has reason to

congratulate itself. The platforms of both parties are:ao‘ excellent that whether Hayes or Tilden be elected, the country, is equally sure of a good government. The World says : Cincinnati gave’the nation! a candidate without purpose, or a platform withoilt a meaning. St. Louis responds with a candidate whose name is a symbol of reform upon a platform which means a healthful revolution in the conduct of the government. The Democratic party had a score of candidates—men. like Thurman, .Bayard, Barker, . Allen; Gaston, English, tried and proven in high public trusts,' and devoted to the principles -of honesty and loyalty to the law. The Republicans made Bristow a reform candidate, and Tilden means reform for the Democrats. Cincinnati trampled the name of Bristow under foot. : St.: Louis - sets the name of Tilden in letters of light, on the banners of a united Democracy., ’ The Times says : Whoever may be dissatisfied with the choice of Tilden, Republicans have no cause to find fault with it. ■ The nomination means that the Democrats have abandoned in advance all hope of carrying the Central Western States, and place their reliance on a solid South, with the addition of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the Pacific States. New York will' change the result either way. Hence the Democrats deliberately selected that State as the battle ground. In spite of the bitter feud in their pasty" here and the defeat of two successive New Yorkers for President, they have again staked everything on carrying New York, with a fortune gathered from the spoils of bankrupt railroads, and. reputation gained by a baiting and half-hearted struggle on behalf of honest government. Tilden ■is a fairrepresentative of the best his party can offer for reform and the utmost it can do for statesmanship. The writer says Tilden’s life is full of shifts and evasions. There is much yet to be told, which will be done during the canvass, convincing unprejudiced persons that the best thing they can do is to defeat him. The Times has uo doubt of Hayes’ election. The Tribune says : The Convention fought bitterly, but briefly, and after filling all the St. Louis bar-rooms with riot for two or three days, has placed an admirable candidate upon a bad p’atform. It was wise to nominate the strongest man. Whichever side wins, we shall have a President of high personal character, excellent record, honest sympathies and associations. Tilden’s course has made him the representative of honesty. His nomination cost a struggle that nearly tore the party in two, but it is the party behind the President which rules, and Tilden’s party is full of rascality and deceit. The Tribune has no reasonable doubt of Hayes’ election.