The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-11-20
The Great "Xvhnt Is It."

General GRANT is acting Secretary OF war
General of the armies of the United States, the
| owner of some fast-tro,tipg horses, smoker
of good cigars, and resident Of Washington
| rhis is certain; but, beyond this, all is unoer
tain vague. Every nun Knows and nc
one knows. whether GRANT is Radicsl-Conser
| yatiye, or Liberal Radical, or Democratic Con-
seryative- Republican, or National Union-Radi-
cal. or STEVENS man, or SUMNER man, or a
WAsBsuRNE man, or friend of charming
CADy STANTON. There is nethng but doubt
and, with the facts before him, every Hiatelli'
gent reader" must judge for himself
There are twenty "authori,ative" explana-
lions OF General GRANTS position. Nine re-
present him to be an out-and- out Radical nine
are sitive that he is an uncompromising,
straight up-and down Democrat; aud two de-
clare that he is nothing at all, and will not ao-
cept Presidential nomination from any party.
FoaNEY led off with Eve columns Of Republi-
canism,-all said to be in GRANTS head, or out
OF his mouth. Next, the Boston Post vowed
that GRANT repudisted every word that villain
Gus FoRNIY had uttered. This was contra
dicted by an authorized" denial in the Phila-
delphia Press. After this, the Philadelphia
Post learnt that GRANT had no liking for Rad-
calism; but this was knocked on the head by
the Springfield Republican, which was certain
that the General was fully in accord with the
party of Freedom. The Mobile Times came to
the rescue by declaring that GRANT was u
Southern sympathizer; and this was neutral
lied by the Macon Journal, which swore that
be was bitter Radical. A Richmond daily,
the Enquirer, calls GRANT an enemy of the
negro, while his Chief of Staff, General RAw
1INs, says he is the best friend the negro ever
mad. Mr.. WAsHBURNE proved, in long speech,
that GRANT was all that could be desired, and
more than vas expected; when, up pops the
Boston Post and AYERS that GRANT hates VASE
BURNE, and would like to get rid Of him and his
statements. FoRNEY's Chronicle mildly says
that this is 80 he;" the New York Day Book
thinks any man who doubts GRANTS harmony
with Congress sis green enough to be eaten up
Tor grass" another paper, the same day, as
serts that General GRANT has accepted nom
nation from the JOHNSON Democracy.
So stand the newspapers; and, in the same
way, talk the politicians. The Conservatives
alude to GRANTS acceptance of Mr. STASToN's
place as proof that he is Democrat; ID.
D." FoRNEY quotes it as proof that he is q
Radioal. One reliable gentleman heard
MIN refer to SHERIpAN's removal as "more Of
the Presidents dirty work." and another,
equally reliable, learns that he has taken warn
ing by SHERIDAN's "ludicrous fate," and
sent his valise TO Conservative headquarters.
General GRANT, it seems, has some ambition,
ind has learned th It silence is more safe than
speech. No declaration of opinions would suit
everybody, or even every member Of any one
party and GRANT feels that, while he holds
MS tongue, he has chance Of the support of
each party, and can retain the power Of choos-
ing that which is most likely to be successful.
General GRANT can afford to remain dumb;
aud he had rather be called, for time, the
. Military Sphinx" or the great American
What Is It2" than be known, ten years
hence, as the man who had power within
lis grasp, and lost it by "a confidential talk,
or q "letter to q friend"