The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-10-29

1t is reported that Southern newspaper
editor has had conversation with General
Grant in reference to his position on the Presi-
Dental question, from which it appears that
this Southern editor is inclined to believe that
the General will not accept nomination as
radical, but will consent to become conserva-
tive candidate for the White House. He is
represented as saying that he never belonged
to any political party, although he voted for
Buchanan, and that he probably never will
belong to any political party. According to
this the ultra radicals of the Massachusetts,
school OF Sumner, Butler and Wendell Phillips
have some ground for their distrust OF General
Grant His righthand man out West the Hon.
Mr.. Washburne, Of Illinois, pretty good radi-
cal, says, however, that he has talked it all
over with the General, and that he is in perfect
accord with Congress on Southern reconstruc-
ton, as much so as Stanton himself Senator
Wilson, of Mas sachusetts and the Hon. W. D.
Kelley, of Pennsylvania, give the same evi-
dence but still, right and lett, the radical
Chase organs say that the position of Grant on
the great principles OF the republican party is
cloudy, underlined and unsatisfactory.
With such dsagreements among The republi-
can doc ors, who shall decide this delicate
question! In General Grants letter to Pres-
den johnson, giving his reasons why General
Sheridan should not be removed from the COM
mand of the Fifth Military District, he says all
thai the most exacting radical could require in
support of the policy of Congress but ii must
be remembered that, as soldier, Sheridan is q
special favorte of the General-in-Chief, and
that this letter, therefore, was intended rather
to serve Sheridan with the President and with
the party in power than to define the position
of the writer as q Presidential candidate. But
it may next be said that in his correspondence
with and instructions to General Sckies, Gen.
eral Pope and the other military command RS,
Gen raj Grant has exhibited fidelity in the
execution Of the reconstruction laws OF Con-
gres, which may challenge the closest exami-
nation, even from Wendell Philips, and that,
therefore, he must be in perfect harmony in his
opinioas with Congress. This, however, does
not follow from his faithful execution of the
laws; for this is SIMPLY his Official duty, what
cVcE mty NC LIS opHiouS Va VIC laws.
Apart from his official opinions and instruc-
tons, we have had nothing from General Grant
defining his position on Southern reconstruc-
lion, excepting the priva.e conversations to
which we have referred, and these leave the
question still unsettled. We believe, however,
thu If General Grant had any faith in the radi-
Gals and their programme rs a Presidential
platform, he woull have expressed himself be-
fore this in way which would have removed
all doubts on the subject AS Ie has not done
so, we think the conclusion perfectly safe that
his views are those, not Of the radicals, but OF
the conservative republicans, aud that he will
fight it out on this line against Mr.. Chase and
his radical supporters, push them out of their
defences, and wind them up as he did the re-
belion under the famous apple tree Of Apo
mattox Court House.