Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-12-27
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL
Presidential Gossip.


tions for the Presidency. The unequlVocal
endorsement Of Congress would, beyond
doubt, have secured the Radical nomlna-
non for judge CHASE, had not E1s popn-
Iarity paled before the more eZt.9mo sehu-
,nants of STEVENS or BUTLER, OF the equally
extreme action Of General SHERIDAN. But
now the chances OF the three latter are en-
tirely gone, while those of the former are
"growing small by degrees aud beautifully
less" and even now his most ardent TRENDS
claim success for him, in the canvass, only
by shrewd gcrrymandering.
Since the meeting of the National Iadi-
cal Committee, the excitement IN regard to
the ensuing Presidential campaign has again
risen TO fever height. The selection OF
CHICAGO as the place for holding the nornl-
mating Convention is regarded as equlVa-
Tont to a declaration for General GRANT as
the nominee, but the friends Of the Chief
Justice are actively engaged IN schemes 10
secure his nomination, regularly or lrregu-
larlv, and his election. Many OF the for
mer supporters Of other candidates are be
ginning to accept the 'lOgIc OF eTents,
and profess to see much to admire IL the
smoke of the cigar and the horse-talk
Of the distinguished Commander-ln-Chlet,
while others declare very openly that under
no circumstances can they support him for
the Presidency upon any other platform
than one which favors universal negro sui
frage II the Radical Convention accom-
modates its platform to suit the views Of
General GRANT it is thought the more
Radical wing OF the party will bolt the
nomination, and OrganiZc a separate Con
vention and nominate Judge CHASE upon
the broad platform OF negro equality, with
no expectation OF electing him upon the
general vote, but to secure that result by
throwing the election into the House OF
REPRESENTATIVES In this event, the House,
as at present constituted, tits eXpectedwould
elect him without much pecuniary argu-
ment, but should the persuasive appeals
of money be required to restore confidence
to the -kneed Radicals, Jay Cooke and
other friends of the financial policy of the
Chief Justice are prepared to do the
handsome thing in this respect.
1t is claimed that in any event, Judge
CHASE could carry Massachusetts,, Vermont,
Rhode Island, Ohio, Tennessee, and oil OF
the present unrecOnstructed States, while
to the Democrats is conceded Connecticut,
New York New Jersey, Delaware, Mary
land, Kentucky and California, giving to
General GRANT the remainder OF the States.
While It seems very probable that the
Radical party will be divided between
GRANT and CHASE, a question arises, who
will be the Democratic candidate :" which,
twelve months ago, was regarded of trifiing
importance, but has now IN view Of recent
events, become one Of the first magnitude.
The chances of SHERMAN, HANCOCK. PENDLE-
TON and ADAMS are being actively canyassed
rs the four most popular and available can
didates. It has been reported that General
SHERMAN would not suffer his name TO be
run against lis old friend and commander,
General G,EA1,E, but newspaper cores
pondent3 write that his more intimate
friends say he would not only accept the
nomination. but would beat General GRANT
IN the West.
General HANCOCK's reputation as sol
der, added to his Just and wise admins
tration OF the affairs of the Fifth Military
District, is causing him to grow rapidly in
public favor and popularity. The connec-
ton of this soldier with the conspiracy
trial is the only blot upon his escutcheon.
The officers who composed that court will
,,Dr-o, bo oD1 yao11tiOr
of an innocent woman. General HANCOCK S
conservatism during the war prevented his
being trusted with a separate command,
which was given to such Radicals as BANKS,
BUTLER, Burnside and PORE, at the ex-
pense of success to the armies which they
commanded, and which was taken from
such officers as MCCLELLAN, BUEL and
MEADE, who were subordinated after vic
tories yet his military reputation is second
to few, while his gentlemanly bearing and
great personal popularity won for him q
warmth of feeling and regard which the
colder nature of General GRANT could
never inspire.
Should, however, the Conservatives and
Democrats not think it advisable to put
forward a military candidate in the person
of SHERMAN or HANCOCK, 1ir. PENDLEToS,
of Ohio, is beyond question the most
prominent name for the nomination. The
Wonderful change IL favor Of the Conser-
yatives in his State and his great POPULAR,
ty in all the Western States, his eminent
abilities and unimpcachable private char
acter, make him a fayorite with many.
Should he not be nominated, it will be
owing to desire to conciliate the military
element at the North.
The growing popularity of Mr.. ADAMS,
of Massachusetts, his ability and his fami-
~ prestige, point to him as an available
man for the Democracy. Public opinion
is rapidly settling down upon Boston as
the place for holding the National Conven-
ton of the party, and this compliment to
the city and its foremost politician may be
extended to his nomination.
= election nv no