ore they are
submitted to jurors. That is a little too early. Neither do I
believe in trying them in the newspapers after the verdicts have
been rendered. That is a little too late.

_Question_. What are Mr. Blaine's chances for the presidency?

_Answer_. My understanding is that Mr. Blaine is not a candidate
for the nomination; that he does not wish his name to be used in
that connection. He ought to have been nominated in 1876, and if
he were a candidate, he would probably have the largest following;
but my understanding is, that he does not, in any event, wish to
be a candidate. He is a man perfectly familiar with the politics
of this country, knows its history by heart, and is in every respect
probably as well qualified to act as its Chief Magistrate as any
man in the nation. He is a man of ideas, of action, and has positive
qualities. He would not wait for something to turn up, and things
would not have to wait long for him to turn them up.

_Question_. Who do you think will be nominated at Chicago?

_Answer_. Of course I have not the slightest idea who will be
nominated. I may have an opinion as to who ought to be nominated,
and yet I may be greatly mistaken in that opinion. There are
hundreds of men in the Republican party, any one of whom, if elected,
would make a good, substantial President, and there are many
thousands of men about whom I know nothing, any one of whom would
in all probability make a good President. We do not want any man
to govern this country. This country governs itself. We want a
President who will honestly and faithfully execute the laws, who
will appoint postmasters and do the requisite amount of handshaking
on public occasions, and we have thousands of men who can discharge
the duties of that position. Washington is probably the worst
place to find out anything definite upon the subject of presidential
booms. I have thought for a long time that one of the most valuable
men in the country was General Sherman. Everybody knows who and
what he is. He has one great advantage--he is a frank and outspoken
man. He has opinions and he never hesitates about letting them be
known. There is considerable talk about Judge Harlan. His dissenting
opinion in the Civil Rights case has made every colored man his
friend, and I think it will take considerable public patronage to
prevent a good many delegates from the Southern States voting for
him.

_Question_. What are your pr