The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-11-27
.Athsus gost.
Athens. Friday, Nav. "a. Isis.
Political News and Speculations.

Political News and SpeculatiOns.
Advices from the direction of the
national capital continue to be made up
of spcculations about Grants Cabinet,
and the probable policy of the incom-
ing administration. The President elect
has returned to the City, and his doors
are said to be bcsieged by office-seckers
and patriotic people who believe it was
predestinatcd at the beginning that they
should serve the country in positions
cinbelishcd aud trimmed with good fat
salaries. The General, however main
tains his accustomed reticence, and
keeps all applicants, as st. Paul COM
mends us to do temptation, as far away
from him rs possible. Some of the
more inpatient who formerly lauded
him for his cautiousness, now think he
cultivates that popularity little too
closely, and that the time is at hand
when the seal of silence should be re-
moved from his lips and the more faith
full be permitted to enter into his conf
dence and to foretaste of the good
things presumed to be provided for all
such. 1t is fortunate perhaps for Gen.
Grant that he is in the prime and vigor
of life and in the enjoyment of robust
health, otherwise the pressure that is
likely TO be made upon him when the
spring campaign fairly opens, might, as
in the cases of Generals Harrison and
Taylor, lead to serious consequences.
The Vice President elect-the smiling
Colfax--is pursuing quite different
line to that adopted by Gen. Grant for
his rule of conduct between his election
and Inauguration. The former, who
has been recently united in wedlock
with neicc of Ole Ben. Wade-an
amiable and accomplished lady-is said
to be mingling quite freely among the
ofice-seekers, and asshuously counting
the attentions of the extremists. 1t has
been suggested that Mr.. Colfax is vain
enough to indulge the belief that he
will be able to exercise controlling in
nuence over Gen. Grant, and thus have
command of large share of govern
mcnt favors to dispense among the host
of political beggars who are grcedily
watching for crumbs from the great
mans table. 1t is to be hoped that in
this he and they will be disappointed.
The impression has obtained to some
extent that General Butler, recently re-
elected to Congress by heavy MAORI
~, will succeed the late Thaddeus Ste
vens as the leader of the party in the
House of Representatives. No doubt
Gen. Butler will aspire to the leader
ship Of the new House, but we think he,
too, will be disappointed. He is suffi-
GENTLY imbued with vindictiveness and
partizan malignity-the two great ele-
ments Of radicalism-but is without the
force Of will and moral energy which
Mr. stevens possessed in SO remarka-
Die degree, and which enabled him
10 wieid an influence over less deter
mined natures, who would have readily
opposed many Of his measures but lack
ed the nerve to rise in their places and
10 50. All accorded the "Great Com
moncr" boldness and candor. These are
pcruIiarities which enter very slightly
INTO the character of General Butler, as
als been frequently developed both in
his civil and military career, and when
ever he seizes the rod and attempts to
use it he will probably be given to un-
1hrstand at once that his province is,
not to lead, but to follow-when he
will commence retrograding toward the
Democratic side of the House and soon
be found in open hostility to his present
party associates. A dispatch Of the 23d
represents General Butler as seriously
i'll at his home in Massachusetts.
Gossip has it that President johnson
is annoyed at the illusions in some OF
the papers that he will probably be a
candidate for Governor of Tennessee at
the next election. He has no such in
tention nor inclination. The measure
of his ambition is full, and he now
courts the valley and prefers the shade
Immediately after the inauguration OF
his successor, President johnson will
return to East Tennessee, the home OF
his earlier struggles and triumphs, to
pass the remainder of his life, Cincin.
natus-like, in the peaceful quiet Of rural
pursuits. Nothing less than the impera.
tive command of his fellow-citizens will
ever again induce him to emerge from
retirement into public life.
The news from the country South of
US seems to be encouraging enough.
The people generally appear to be sat
isfied with the Presidential election,
and have confidence that the worst is
over. 1t is only in few localities,
where the carpet-baggers exercise all
undue influence, that there is any diff
Guilty or bad feeling between the freed
men and their former owners. The