The New York herald., 1869-02-25
Dining tho Rebel ChieGs-A Maphattan
Movement for 1872.

The volunteer Cabinet maker and general
dispenser of the spols for the incoming adj
ministration, finding his occupation gone in
that line OF business, has undertaken the role
of the late Miles O'Reilly in getting up fancy
dinners. The imitator, in this as in almost
every other special field of enterprise, falls be-
hind the original explorer; but still in this
case he viii pass. His latest effort is pretty fair.
1t is fancy sketch of dinner by the Manhat-
tan Club to the late rebel chief, John G. Breckin
ridge, at which it appears numerous other
rebel chiefs were present, sandwiched between
the leading members Of the club. Genuine or
fictitious, the grouping Of these characters is
consistent with their democratic afinities, and
we know, too, that since the war the Manhat-
tan Club, in view Of the reconstruction Of the
democratic party, has lost no opportunity to
dine and wine, in quiet way, every rebel
chief dropping into the metropolis; and we
know that nearly all Of them, from JEFF Davis
down to Mosby, have dropped in, from time to
time, under the benign dispensation of Andy
Johnson. - sas... z ssE s:tlss tls.l A4=ss-sS.~4.
A great haul OF these rebel big fish was made
ut the National Tammany Convention OF July
last, and great outlay in soft crabs and
champagne was cheerfuly adopted by the
Manhattan Club in doing the honors to these
distinguished guests. Cati j0n0s 1t was for
the same reason that man plants field
of cotton or buys bit of ground or dab
blcs in Erie. II is all matter Of specula-
tion. For instance. the New York engineers
OF the Manhattan Club laid and managed the
wires of the Tammany National Convention.
They found in that Convention Southern
balance of power represented by the rebel
chiefs present, and by cultiyating General
Wade Hampton and his associate paladins of
the Southern chivalry ''thc bloated bond
holders" Of the club were enabled to wind
''the Pendleton escort" round their fingers.
Here, then, the mystery Of these Manhattan
dinners or suppers TO these leaders Of the
''lost cause il explained. II is simply the
George Sanders method Of electioneering re-
duced to o regular system OF good cellar Of
wine and liberal fund for the Washington
Market. The Manhattan Club have lively
hopes Of a democratic President in 1872. They
have been since the fasco Of Tammany Hall,
preparing for their next great opportunity.
They anticipate the restoration, with the Mig
ger vote, OF their old Southern balance of
power in the next national election, and they
are laying their pipe and wires among the
magnates OF the South for the Convention,
! because The Convention vii, settle everything
Thus The investment, in the kindly Offices Of
fraternal hospitality, Of good feed occa-
sionally, Involving a dozen or two baskets Of
wine and few barrels Of Saddle Rocks and
Shrewsburys, in honor of some such returning
democratic prodigal son as Wade Hampton,
Beaursgard, Forrest, Magruder, Dick Taylor,
Breckinriige, Captain Semmes or Jake
Thompson, may yield in 1872 the splendid
dividends to the Manhattan Club of
the first pickings Of the spoils Of the
succession. And why not? Is there a more
beautiful lesson in the Holy Scriptures than
that OF the prodigal son and the killing of the
fatted calf in honor Of his repentance and
return home again? Is there an example of
forgiveness that can be more worthily followed,
especially if it can be made to pay better than
a petroleum well or gold mine? In this
way and in this view the Manhattan Club, like
charity, has covered multitude of sins, and
still its wine Is not exhausted nor are its
oysters all consumed.