Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-01-08

MONTPELIER, VI:
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1868.
Grant and the Next Presidency.
We have given our readers from time 10
time news of the various political movements
in the country looking to the next presi-
Dental election With the exception OF the
action of the recent Republican state con
vention in New Hampshire, most of these
demonstrations and declarations have been
:. without distinction of party" and con
sequently have little party significance.
There is much more, however, to be inferred
Of the drift Of public opinion from the
pretty general concurrence of the Republican
newspapers in naming Gen Grant the
most desirable candidate of the party Tor
next President, although this agreement is,
perhaps, much owing to the belief that
Grant is the strongest man the party can
put in nomination, to any very clearly
defined notions Of his politics. The Grant
movement in New York was, beyond question.
intended As n scheme to appropriate the
General in the interest of such conservative
Republicans as Raymond of the Times and
~ L. Stewart, the rich dry goods merchant
and, by bringing to his support..the BODY of
more moderate Republicans, to make his
nomination by the Republican national con-
vention certainty; and to compel the
Democrats also to nominate him or be hope
iessiy distanced in the campaign. Mr.
Stewart, the chairman of the executive com
mite -r.--is--s -ss---~-------, ----
committee have already gone into the business
of sending out circulars urging business men
and others throughout tho country to unite
in movement for the nomination of the
patriot General upon a platform which can
be supported by loyal men, irrespective of
past political association Concerning this
little game of these New York politicians,
the Albany Erening Journal says
This will not do. The idea that any man
can be elected to the Presidency upon the
basis Of his personal popularity, and with
out the support of great idea, is a mistaken
one The popular mind of this country is
interested In the merits of controversy
which involves it's welfare, and possibly its
very existence. In such a crisis, principles
ties are plainly divided. One or other of
those will succeed, with candidate who
clearly represents Its policy and views. Even
Gen. Grant, if he were to run without sue
Endorsement, would be overwhelmingly de-
feated, notwithstanding his universal popu-
larity, and his claims upon the gratitude OF
the nation
We have supported General Grant because
be believe that he will take a Republican
nomination, and put himself unequivocally
IN the lines of the Republican party. Upon
no other consideration could we be induced
to favor him.
1t will be seen by an extract from Gov.
Bullock's recent message, which we print
elsewhere, that he is very strongly in favor
of the General, yet one would hardly sup
pose he would be willing to go into national
convention and acquiesce in the sounding
but meaningless platform upon which h,
puts Grant, especially after the previous eleal
enunciation of his own unhesitating devotion
to equal rights and equal justice for all men
Much more to the purpose is what Senator
Wilson says, in an extract from an article
written by him in the Independent, and which
we give in another place in this paper
wherein he advocates the nomination of Gen
Grant rt -.
1t will be apparent by and by, if it is n
now, that the next presidential campaign
must and will be fought out on principles
1t will be affected -ornoviae, ovcry cfec-
ton is, by the popularity of candidates, but
the result will be decided by the platforms
as we'll as by the candidates. Republicans
however much they may love Gen. Grant
will not go into the fight with his name
alone as their watchword or if they do they
will fail, and they will deserve defeat. The
party that has borne equal rights upon Its
banners for the last seven years will not now
strike that righteous inscription from it
flags at the bidding of any "no party
movement, or in the delusive expectation tina
success will be easier without principles
than with them. The party that abandon
its principles, or lodges an honest and franz
declaration Of them, in the hope of gaining
votes, loses its cohesive power, and goes t.
pieces ingloriously and hopelessly. w
anticipate presidential campaign in which
instead of an absence Of controverted politi
cal issues, those issues will be more sharpl
warmness, there will be the fire of living
burning truths in which Democrats viii
fight for a new brotherhood with their oil
Southern allies, and Republicans will strug
gle for the maintenance of a righteous re
construction which shall know no differenc
between black and white children of a CON
mon nationality. The Republican CONVEX
ton at Chicago in May will have creed
avow its faith, and proclaim it's platform
and if it finds Gen. Grant in agreement wit
its principles it will beyond question, as
ought to, nominate him. If Mr.. Stewal
and his no party brethren still supper
the General, his election will be all til
easier but he will be elected, if at all, b,
cause he has principles, and not because h
has none. A political nobody will not
our next president.
So far as Gen. Grant has expressed hin
self or taken decisive action he has bee
found in entire sympathy with Republics
principles, and if he accepts Republica
nomination it will be the highest guarantee
of his political soundness. His letters
respect to the removal of Secretary Stanto
and Gen. Sheridan were fully in accord wit
the sentiments of the party which beliey
in the rights OF man, and governments
the people. The fact that he is a reticer
politician is not against him; but it shoul