Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1867-11-13
Gen. Grant and the Presidency.

The Bellfonte WdtcimaH SAYS that
wheD Andrew Johnson was put upon the
ticket with Abraham Lincoln 10 1864,
there were grave doubts as to how far he
could be trusted to carry out the doctrines
Of the Radicals. Thad Stevens opposed
his nomination with all bi. might, but there
were expediency men enough in the Balti-
more convention TO bear down all opposi-
ton. and Mr.. johnson became the candi-
date for the vice presidency, OF the party
which afterwards elected him to powell
Ali know wbst has been the result. II the
Democracy had succeeded in the electi0e
of I864.;hey coGld scarcely have done BET
ter for themselves th2n the opposition did
for them in electing Mr. johnson. In :e-
gard to the great question, which really
outweigbs all others TOW before the people
the restoration Of the L Cni0n-PIesideni
johnson occupies nearly the same ground
held bY u. and the result Is that We have
all the benefit Of the good things done by
him, and are 10; accountable for his blum
ders. Under the circumstances IN which
We were placed, by our candidate in 1864
putting himself on a platform Of his own
differing ID some respects from that adopt
ed by our party in Convention, the Mon
greIs could not have done better thing
for u. and Of course for The country, than
to nominate aud support the very ticket
they elected.
From present Indications they now pro
pose TO do the same thing the coming year.
Since the defeats Of this year. which are
charged By the conservatives upon the
ultraisms the party was obliged to carry,
there j. such pressure in favor Of the nom
ination of Gen. Grant for the presidency
a. can scarcely be resisted This Is Just
az we would desire 10 have it. For, while
we are fully cortidea. Of our ability to de-
feat Grant or any one else .hey may nom
mate, we are not sorry that they should
choose a man who would serve u as John
son has done, if We, by any unforeseen con-
tingency, should chance 10 suffer defeat -
We are not. and rever have been. Of those
who believed Grant 10 he a sound and re-
liable Democrat and We have opposed
and always will oppose the idea Of bis ever
being nominated ~ our party for any po-
stion. We have 50 many better men than
he that il would be the widest kind Of fol-
lv for Us 70 nominate him, and We believe
that the Democracy everywhere holds
about the same opinion On his subject that
We do. But if the radicals will nominate
him, it does not give them the slightest
advantage over Is in the contest, and
make US certain of controlling a, less;
one branch of the government, wheih-
er we loose or win. There is great
deal IN this. and We hope that the pressure
for his nomination NAV BE- made 20 strong
rs to overpower The ultra men Of the Mon
grel party, as was done in the BaItiu ore
convention in 1864.
1t is perhaps supposed by some that
GRAsI has never done anything to indicate
with any certainty " hat his opinions in re-
gard to the most important issues Of the
day really are. Bnt such persons have
forgotten his carefully prepar, d report OF
the condition Of the South, giving bis
opinions, as well as his experience, in re-
gard to the fitness Of the people Of the
South for immediate restoration. The
ground which Is common TO President
JOHNSON and the Democratic party on tLis
yitally important question Is the very same
which Gen. Grant laid down in his report
prepared during tour through the South
after the close OF the war. While it is
true that he has been extremely reticent
on all political questions,so that it is scarce
ly safe for either party to claim him as
member, he has most emphatically and un-
equivocaIly expressed his views on this,the
most important Of all political issues and
/ if be is nominated aid eIectcd,we can take
some comfort in the reflection that if we
cannot get better man than johnson for
President We will at least get one who is
! DO worse for Us aud the country, and who
will be under the control Of Democratic
politicians.
We believe most firmly that we can de-
! feat Grant as easily as any other man, for
be is unpopular with the real, fighting men
Of the Radical party, and will not enlist
the services of their best men; but while
we shall fight whoever they may nomi-
nate with all our humble ability, we know
/ of no man We would sooner defeat with a
/ better one than U. S. Grant, and no man
we would sooner be defeated by if it so
chances that the Lord desires still further
to humble His people. by suffering them
! once more to be defeated.