Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-11-19
THE PRESIDENCY,


Both the great political parties of the coun-
try. are marshaling their hosts in the North,
for the Presidential election next year. The
unexpected reverses which the radicals have
sustained during tie present year, have sat-
isied some of the leaders of that party that
greater caution is necessary to perpetuate its
asceudancy, aud already there are manifest
indications of decided modification of their
programme. This will of course meet with
opposition from the extremists, who will con-
tinue to urge the committal of the party to
all the ultraisms that have brought defeat
and disaster in the recent elections.
With the more moderate of the party, Gen.
GRANT seems to be the favorite candidate
for the Presidency, not because of any fitness
for the position, but on account of his sup
posed availability, based upon his record as
military chieitain. The portion of the party
%nich is anxious to make him its candidate,
are willing to take him without pledges, and
propose to place him upon the track, in op-
position to ali other entries, with the hope
that his popularity will enable them to win.
The extremists require that he shall fully
explain his position, aud threaten to break
with him if he does not give a cordial en-
.darsement to their schemes. The Philadel-
phia H1'ning Post. which is understood to
be an off shoot of the New York Tribune,
days dowu the platform of this wing of the
party in the following uumistakeable LAM
guaSe:-
- The Republican party is pledged to i'm
partial suffrage, 10 the absolute destruction
of all tests OF color or race in the laws of
the United States. That pledge will be
kept by the majority of the party-letter
and spirit it will be kept. We will no,
break 1t for Grant; we will not break it to
obtain success; We will accept defeat before
We will consent to give up Que jot of prin.
clpts Ia our platform, or to wink at the
slightest infde!ity in our candidate. This.
however, we would say to all Republicans:
stop before it Is too late to stop. Refuse
10 endorse Grant till Gran: has endorsed
Rldicalism. Meet his silence with silence
more profound Do not let America see
the shameful spectacle of the Republican
party moving in crouching procession to
Uder, to beg, to bride any man to become
Its leader and its candidate. Let us 20 our
way, and if General Grant believes as We
OSLAeES, IeE MN come 10 US.
Since the election in Ohio, By which the
bottom was knocked out of the radical tub on
the question of negro suffrage, the Presiden-
tial chances CT Chief Justice CHASE have
greatly diminished, and it is not now proba-
bic that his suPportin the National Convention
will present any formidable opposition to the
nomination of Gca. Grant, who seems to have
decided advantages over all his competitors.
The contest between these two, is likely to
produce division, which may afford both Of
them an opportunity Of sustaining a signal
defeat before the people Meanwhile the let.
ter writer's at Washington are busiIy hunting
upa candidate for the opposition or Demo
cratic party. The latest we have upon this
subject is from a correspondent of the Rich
mOnd Dispatch. which We append:
"There are many indications of deteru,;-
nation on the part of influential parties to
present the name Of General Sherman as the
Democratic candidate for the Presidency
The strong assurance that President johnson
has had from Sherman of the endorsement by
tue latter of his (the Presideut's) policy of
restoration make it certain that the nomina>
ton of that officer for the highest position in
the country would be very acceptable to the
present Chief Magistrate Some of the
Radicals are consOling themselves with the
idea that if Grant should be the nominee of
their party. accepting the platform with not 4
single plank that nov forms portion oft ig-
'nOred, Sherman could not be induced to ac-
cept nomination in opposition to his present
superior officer. So far, however, there are
no reliable facts upon which such an assertion
can be grounded. Ii Grant and Sherman
both should accept nominations, custom at
least would require a resignation of their
present positions, and there could then be no
Official superiority. 1t is in no respect im>
probable however. that the Increasing demand
of the people for a greater recognition of civil
law than has characterized the las; FIVE or six
years will prevent any further progress of the
military on any side"
The Democracy of the great West and es-
Pecialty of Ohio, where the first staggering
blow was administered to the Legro suffrage
iniquity, are disposed to urge the claims of
Hon. GEO, II. PENDLETox. and with this
strong support to begin with, his chances for
the nomination would seem to be more IA
vorab!e than tha, of any other man.
STATE CONVENTION