The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-04-08

stands the unoef current OF puehc feehng IN
Washington, and as such asked him few
leading questions, to which I received re-
| plies, which / prefer to give in his own
words. Not being permitted to make use of
his name, will designate HIM as ssagentp
The foliowingis the substance of the con
versation had 81 "a
Correspondent--Who do you think win be
president?
Agent Gen. Grant beyond peraeventure.
The democratic party can do nothing to
prevent it. Even if the General cannot re-
ceive full number of votes, there are al
ready plans on foot to make him president.
Correspondent DO you think the people
are opposed to him
Apent-Yes, do. But the misfortune is
that the democratic party has no great man
10 oppose him. There is no jackson or Doug
las in its ranks there is no man who can
give wise counsel to the party in these ex-
traordinary times; none to keep the party
on the initiative. With lack of great men
nothing remains but organization and old
party traditions, with nothing in the prospec-
tive to make it successful. The republicans
not only have one, but many great names,
and the greatest of them all is Gen. Grant.
Correspondent-W What do you think of
Grant?
Agent have had several conversations
with him. | made him q present, in the
name Of self and other citizens, of house
in Thirty-sixth street, subject to certain
mortgage, which was subsequently taken off
by the Union League Club. This brought
me in close contact with him, and must say
that, considering all outward appearance, /
never saw a more commonplace man ave,
even his horse talk was very common. But,
nevertheless, tell you he is vastly under
rated. There is more stuff in him than in
any other man living. Gen. Francis Blair
only the other day told me that Grant pro-
poses to be president, and when once in the
White House he proposes to stay there. He
thinks himself as great as Cromwell, and has
not the least doubt but things will shape
themselves in a fashion that will keep him in
the presidential chair as dictator.
espondent-What indications do you
see of all this?
Agent-A short time since, while in the
cars from Washington to Baltimore, Gen.
Banks gave me his wife to take care of while
he was looking after some baggage. Now,
you know all women will talk, and Mrs. Gen.
Banks is no exception to the rule. In the
course of conversation she said: ''Gen.
Grant makes mistake when he has some
thing to do he never consults the statesmen
he never asks the opinions of leading
| civilians or prominent congressman; he on
| lY talks to his staff and has no relations
| whatever with the leaders of the republican
| party.
| Now, this does not relate to Gen. Banks, for
| after all he is an army officer. But, do you
know" continued Mrs. Banks, ''that the
| reign of the lawyer statesmen will be at an
end when Gen. Grant is in power? The
| Wilson's the Trumb bulls, the Summers, the
| Colfaxes will have 10 make room for the
Shermans, the Canbys, the Sheridans and
the Meades. His method of reconciling
| southern states will not only be the restora-
ton of states with all their rights and privil-
eyes, but the elevation of the Lees, the Long
streets, the Beaureeards, as true representa-
| tives of the southern people. With their
1 aid, military men north as we'll south, he
| will form a government thar will be a gov
ernment.n ''WeIl, SIR" continued the agent
in pensive tone, with Gen. Grant in the
Presidential chair, good-by to lawyers, good
by to negrophilism. The man on horse
back will be there, and you will have 6
! strong, powerful government, a government
that, while robbing the people of its inner
ent rights of liberty, will nevertheless be ex
ceedingly popular, owing to its audaciou:
policy, which will mbrace nothing less thar
making the U nited States the greatest an6
most influential power on earth. The an
| nexation of Canada, the absorption of Mexi
co, the seizure of the Isthmus of Panama
| all these questions will be sprung upon tht
| people and attention will be distracted from
domestic to foreign affairs. A strong flee
| will be sent to the Chinese and Japanes
| waters, and for the first time the United
| States will be recognized as the arbiter O
| the vast interests concentrated in Asia
Foreign affairs will occupy large portion
| of the attention of his administration, anC
| tn United States viii demand to be heard
| on all questions affecting commercial anc
| political changes in Europe and Asia whicl
enter into the discussions of European pc
| tentates. Now, then, you may shake you
head about Grant not having designs SO ex
traordinarily ambitious. Why, then, ha
his man Friday, Washburne, of Illinois
made most important move in the house
few days ago,which has qeen entirely over
looked even By the Argus,eyed press of tn
country? Washburne proposed to abohs
the Washington police department, and It
let soldiers attend to duties now performe
by the police. Fortunately his game wa
blocked for the time being, but on bein
asked the object of such scheme he reall
ulO not knO" now 10 reply, anu nnaIiy stan
mered out the word Economy Economy
forsooth! Why, Just think of it, to put so
diers around the White House, the depart
ments, the capitol, &c. What next? Blu
all this shows what is in Gen. Grants mine
Prepare. sir, for strong government. Yo
will get more of it than you or anybody ba
bargained for. Now, in conclusion, perm
me to call your attention to another yer
significant fact. You must have notice
that, with the exception of Hancock, a
leading generals, before committing then
selves III any manner on any leading que
! tons, always look to what Grant is going /
! do. To him they look as their present an
future chief, and with these convictions a
ready settled in their minds it will be easy
make use of the army whenever exigencie
may require it.
4 Correspondent-How about governmer
credit =?
Agent don't know exactly, but wit
the man on horseback in the distance pr
fer not to have too many bonds, / have il
vested about 100000 in New York city r
J, al estate-Central Park lots.
e HAMPTON Election