, 1864-03-05
THE WASHINGTON STATESMAN
SATURDAY MORNING, MAR. 5, 1864
GEN. GRANT FOR THE PRESIDENCY.

The N. Y. Herald is urging the nomination
of Gen. Grant for the next Presidency
The good natured General hearing of that
papers daily exertions in his behalf, laughed
heartily at the bare mention of his name in
connection with that exalted position, and
said that the only Office he aspired to was
the Mayoralty of the little town of Galena
Chis home) and he did not even desire that
position until after the close of the war
He hopes to be elected Mayor so that he
can build paUement from has residence to
the depot 1t is also reported of him that
on being called upon by squad of political
wire-pullers, desiring to learn his political
opinions, he frankly told them that he knew
nothing about politics, he did not talk it
himself and knew none of his acquaintance
or friends who did That was a jolly good
thrust (if true) at the political meddlers.
The politicians Should let General Grant
alone; he is doing the country good service
IN cnmrns1 Of ~ YER
land; that he win do good service in the
field against the armed forces of the rebel
lion, wherever placed, his friends know full
well; but to draw him into the political arena
would be to destroy his efficacy as a general.
Grants best friends understand well enough
that he is an able general-that he is desery-
ing of the heartfelt praise of every patriot
in the land, and an imperishable fame in
the history of the Republic; but they also
know as well that in him are not combined
the qualities of wise generalship and wise
craftsmanship He possesses all the quail
ties of great general while as a statesman
he is below mediocrity. Washington was
a great general and wise and prudent
statesman, and Jackson also possessed these
qualities to a considerable extent. These
great gifts are rarely combined in an indi-
vidual. The history of the world shows
that wise statesmen have seldom been great
generals, and vice versG. Where such was
the case it has been the exception and not
the rule. Almost every one would like to
have man possessing these rare qualities
fill the next Presidential chair, but few will
be willing to contend that U. S. Grant fills the
bill There will undoubtedly be other wars
for the American people to engage in after
the close of the present one, and it is mat
ter of great Importance that the nation
should have an able chief for its helmsman
Every one desires that the coming President
shall be an "honest" man-one who will
keep the land marks of our Republic we'll de-
fined and who will steer clear of monarchies
and despotisms; but honesty Of itself is not
enough, he should have combined with hon
esty great virtue and wisdom. 1t has been
truly said, that $50 far as the present war
has progressed the people have fought it and
led it." 1t has gone along by this policy and
that policy, and when it has had no policy
at all the patriots in the field have showed
it along, The Government with its con-
scriptions and no conscriptions, sometimes
having more troops than it wanted and then
suddenly calling for 800, 900 more has shown
that it has had no conception of the magni-
tude of the work before it. BY its spas
modic jerks, fits and starts, it is questionable
whether it has ever seen an inch beyond its
nose since the struggle commenced. We
may admit that the present incumbent Of the
Presidential chair is honest and good man,
but that alone does not make him compent
to guide the destinies of the republic when ii
is engaged in desperate struggle to maintain
its existence. In any event, no matter whom
the people choose for their next President,
we are satisfied the war will 90 on until the
rebellion succumbs to the Union arms
The people themselves will never stop until
that fact is established; but in our judgment
VIC should have a leader for a. that, and one
with sufficient wisdom to not only direct our
armies but also to manage properly the civil
affairs of the country and restore the Re
public to its former unity and renown.