The American Presidential campaign is still devoid of note- worthy
incident. Mr. Hayes has disposed of the charge brought against him of having made a false return of his income during the war, but his competitor, Mr. Tilden, though promising an explanation of a similar accusation, has not yet given it, and the delay is seriously injuring his prospects. In Massachusetts, the nomination by the Democrats of Mr. Charles Francis Adams as their candidate for the Governorship is com- mented upon by opponents, as furnishing a new proof of Demo- cratic duplicity and want of principle. In reality, however, it is one of the most hopeful signs of contemporary American politics. It shows that in the foremost State of New England, at any rate one of the great parties is convinced of the necessity of selecting the very beat man that can be found for office, and is ready to go outside its own regular ranks to find him. In. the present con- juncture, when there is no avowed difference of principle between the two parties, each can be judged only by the character of the candidates it puts forward, and we do not doubt that large num- bers of Masaachusetta Republicans, even while voting for Hayes for the Presidency, and for the Republican candidates for Con- gressional districts, will cast their ballots for Adams for the Governorship. And they will do right. For Mr. Adams is a statesman who would do honour to the highest office in the gift of his fellow-citizens.
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