Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-04-22
THE NEXT PRESIDENT.

Experience has shown that the most promi-
nent candidates for the Presidency prior to the
meeting of the nominating conventions are
nine times out of ten shelyed in those conven-
tons. Yet it seems to be as certain as anything
can well b. that Gen. Grant will be the Re-
publican candidate, and about as certain that
Mr.. Pendleton will be the flag bearer Of the
Democracy.
The Atlantic KontaIy, which. from its hereto
fore reticence, has been supposed not TO favor
the nomination of Grant in the current May
number pronounces tor him in an article which
Is attracting considerable attention, both from
the shove fact and for the views it holds In re-
gard TO the policy to be adopted by the Repub-
liean party. The question, the atlantic says,
has up to this time been solely between
HIM and Chief Justice Chase; and now
the Chief Justices influence with the party
through the country seems fairly and finally
tested by the action of the party in his own
State, where there is scarcely a doubt that
ITS whole strength will be given for Grant.
There is no longer a doubt. it holds, OF General
Grants convictions upon the great question
which unites the whole Republican party, or
which di vides that from the Democratic party:
and If the Republican party asked him ut this
moment tor declaration of his opinions, be-
yond the question of reconstruction, he might
retort upon that party with like demand
The Republicans share with their opponents a
general desire for lighter taxes and a lower
tarlf, but have taken no certain position upon
the currency and the national credit. They
no longer desire to hang Jefferson Davis
or even John Surratt and though the impeach-
ment of Dir. johnson commands the approval
Of the party as a ssrio-comic necessity. it must
be owned that the impeachment of Presidents
is hardly an tissue" TO inspire enthusiasm in
their plpc+fon In
only plank yet nailed down in the Republican
platform. Upon this great exigency of recon
stIuction the utterances of General Grant As
set forth in his letter, protesting against the re-
moyal Of General Sheridan, the Atlantic holds,
are up 10 the ideal Of the most radical of the
party. The Republican party ought. in the
opinion Of the Atlantic, to declare Enthusiastically
against every form of rapudiatiom should also
give some distinct hope of relief TO taxpayers:
and some recognition of the justice and reason
Of free-trade, even if no pledge for the inmedi-
ate reduction of imports can be made.
As regards the candidate for the Democracy
II is Just now contest between the East and
West, and in the contests OF late years the West
has generally triumphed. PendIeton's great
card, the project OF paying the Government
debt IN greenbaeks, will, his friends expect
give him great strength with the masses in all
parts Of the country. The current Western
idea Is probably Well expressed in the follow
ing extract from the correspondence Of MACK"
10 Ihe Cincinnati Commercial
''Pendietons prospects for the Democratic
nomination are improving every day There
seems 10 be very little doubt among leading
politicians here that he will be the man The
West Is for him, with the exception Of some
NILSSON ians, " no want Frank Blair, and a few
OILERS who think General Hancock would be
'he best selection. Blair has not strength ont.
side of Missouri, and as for Hancock il is the
worst folly 10 talk of running him. GRAM
can't b. beaten by a military candidate: because
# two military candidates are in the field. the
contest VIII he one OF comparative records and
Pendleton as the candidate the fight would take
quite another shape and would become one of
prlnciple, backed by living issues, which must
re ignored in contest between two military
Cmcels, neither OF whom are committed one
way or the other on any political question
SOIne Talk OF putting Blair Oh the ticket for
Vice President with Pendleton, but the eastern
politicians would probably OBJECT on geograph-
real grounds 70 such a combination. / think il
extremely probable that Governor English will
be the nominee OF the New York convention
Tor ice President He wants ft-he is wealthy
and able TO eonsfIbute TO the expenses of cam
paign Il necessary. and his personal popularity
has been seen recently, in his election as Gov
ernor OF Connecticut His record is unexcep-
tsonsble for patriotism. He supported the war
from nrst 10 last, and a mem Der of the House
voted for the abolition of slavery in the District
Of Columbia"