Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-05-12
The Situation at Washington-The solu-

The main fact can be stated IN short
sentence. Gen. Grant is TO be the next
President of the United States. Every
body in Washington is agreed upon that.
Andrew Johnson, it will BIO remembered,
took occasion some months ago to de-
clare with great emphasis, that he would
consider his political mission accom-
plished at the close of his term Of office.
So he is counted out.
Not long since Grant was not IN the
highest favor with the Radicals, 1t was
feared there was an appearance OF con-
servatism in the terms upon which the
surrender of Lee was accepted His res.
idence in Washington this winter has,
however, been effective in subjugating
that portion of the Radical element which
was hostile before the members of Con
gress made his personal acquaintance.
1t was at General Grants reception,
will be remembered, that Thaddeus Stew
ems and President johnson shook hands,
and that Alexander H. Stephens was
present as very civil lion. There was
something very unusual in the President
appearance at reception not held in
the White House, and the Washington
letter writer's all said it was significant,
though we believe none ofthem proceeded
so far as to say exactly what event had
cast its shadow before
During the first weeks of the first SEES
sion Of the Thirty-Ninth Congress, the
idea of raising the rank of Lieutenant
General Grant to General was not well
received by most men Of the Radical
persuasion. Now, nothing is more pop
nlar and yet the civil and military Com
manders-in-C Chief of the Armies and
Navy of the United States, are on the
best possible terms, and enjoy each 9th.
ers implicit confidence.
The Presidents policy of reconstruc-
ton is failure, and so is that of Con-
gress. There will be an effort made to
prevent anarchy in the organization Of
TIE Fortieth Congress, but no further
alarm is felt as to the next Presidential
election. Grant is the coming man.
Chief Justice Chase must settle himself
in his silken robes. President johnson
has already resolved to retire at the end
of his term, with the dignity due we'll
spent official life Gen. Robert f. Lee
and Jefferson Davis will hardly be pressed
by the National Democracy for nomina-
ton for the Presidency until the next
term Gen. Mcclellan seems determined
10 remain abroad the rest Of his natural
life, and the Hon George Fl, Pendleton
has hardly reached the stature and de-
veloped the power that would enable him
TO cope hopefully with a military chief
tain of the proportions of Grant
Just now Grant is as popular as John
son was six months ago, and as he is not
one of the persons going all to wind and
tongue he will not waste his strength
The President has talked away his pres
tige Grant has cut off his beard and
appears thin-lippe6, close-mouthed, and
ron-jawed-a man of will and silence,
not in the least an accident, but as self
conscious as any mistaken politician
who calculates upon some time being able
10 use him.
Once upon a time members of Congress
nominated our Presidents for MS. We
did not go through with the agonies Of
the caucus system. Congress being ruled
out by the general caucus, can only nom
mate President by indirection. This
was done the other day, irrespective Of
party, in the passage, by the House, of
the bill creating the rank of General for
General Grant 1t was amusing, and
instructive also, TO see with what facility
the whole mass of molten Congressional
metal ran into a single mold Every
body was in favor of Grant - Cincinnati
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