New-York tribune., 1869-02-27
PHILADELPHIA.
THE GARNET MEMBER FROM PENRsYLvANIA-
GEORGE II. STUART, AND WHAT IS THOUGHT
OF HIM-ATT0RNEY-GE GENERAL BREWSTER
COL. MCLURE's INTERVIEW WITH GRANT

.n IPRoM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT
PHILADELPHIA. Feb 26.-There is city in the
United States more subject TO political excitement
than Philadelphia. Our local elections are always
interesting, and Of late have been especially 3d.
account of the reform movement in the Republican
party. That led to division of the party. which, it
is claimed by politicians resulted in the defeat
of Gen. Tyndale and the election of Mr. Fox to the
Mayoralty last October. But probably the excite
mcnt was never greater than now, account of the
rumor that Philadelphia is to be represented in the
Cabinet of Gen. Grant 1t has been at least 40 years
since this city has had such position and indeed
the only national honor she has received in that
period was the election of George NJ Dallas as Vice
| President. ..H| ..I ..
The news came that Col. A. J. Mcclure one of the
ablest of our politicians had been bold enough to go
to Gen. Grant and urge that exGov. Curtin should
| be appointed to the Cabinet. This like leading
forlorn hope. 1t was like Cambronne at Waterloo.
or the boy upon the burning ship. For everybody
who is anybody in Philadelphia long AGO knew that
Mr. Curtin notwithstanding his representative POSI-
tion war Governor and his devotion to the sol
diers had no more chance of being Secretary of the
Interior than your humble correspondent His friends
| have made q series of blunders. unprecedented in
| even Pennsylvania politics. not the least of
which was the attempt at Chicago to get
| him the nomination for the Vice-Presidency.
\ They had placed him in the attitude of
man who was resolved to have Office, and he could
| not have had worse recommendation to Grant SO
when Col. Mcclure deliberately walked into Grants
presence and said "the interests of the Republican
| party in Pennsylvania demand that Curtin should
20 into the Cabinet" he did brave thing as the
six hundred did at Baakava cool athing as Rich
ard Sheridan did, when. drunk fool, and hanging
| on to a lamp post he said to the wntchman, My
| name is William Wilberforce." i admire Col. Nc
Clure's bravery. and when we go to war with Eng
| land think he ought to be made Major-General.
You have already published Grants reply, and even
| Col. Mcclure. believe, admits that Curtin has
better chance of being Grants than one of
| his advisers
| But the reckless Colonel did not rest contented
with one defeat Curtin was lost-that was Danish
ment to Elba but the Waterloo had yet to be fought
WELL" said Col. Mcclure, II have done my duty to
Gov. Curtin, now will do my duty to my State
Don't appoint George H. Stuart don't appoint A. L.
B0rie. These are gentlemen OF unblemlshed repnta-
tons but--who wants gentlemen of unblemished re-
putationsf Pennsylvania needs politician (: some
body who knows the ropes and will so distribute the
offices that the Republican party will carry the next
election Give us man in the Cabinet who will take
care of our party, Gen. Grant. call you Gen Grant
because YOU are my best friend. II you don't do this
he paralyzed" This is not exactly the way Col Me-
Clurc expressed himself, but it is free and liberal
summary of his able and logical argument
Grant said: IL cannot understand Why dHg loyal man
should object 10 the appointment Of Mr. Stud! one Tho
has rendered such conspicuous srce 10 The loyal cause
but do not say that he is the man" These simple
words have revolutionized Philadelphia politics.
Howl Why men who never saw Mr.. Stuart have
suddenly discovered that he is one of the most re-
markable men in America. They have remembered
that they always believed him TO have gigantic in
teect and generous disposition. They feel that
| the country would probably lie lost unless he is
called TO defend it in the Cabinet Stuart was their
| original choice Grant could not do wiser thing
than appoint Mr. Stuart: and for Gov Curtin. they
no longer refer to him in the usual enthusiastic way.
The King is dcad-long live the King! This is tho
cry of the politicians and no French courtier
shouted il with greater energy.
And outside of this political recognition, the
NOR Of Mr.. Stuarts appointment does not meet with
disapproyal from those Republicans who do not want
Office and who have no friends that do. He is man
who came here poor boy; ; by birth one Of that re-
markabe race of Scotch Irish, which have served
this country like good seed, giving us some OF our
nOblest citizens He was member OF the Reformed
Presbyterian Churcb.-an, elder think, In old Dr.
Wylie's congregation-and one Of the most liberal
Republicansm had not gone beyoud the nomination
of John 7. Hale when il could not command even in
convention in Philadelphia, this man gave IL money.
time aud service Philadelphia Is dotted with Mr..
Stuart's charities. When the came he organized
the Christian Commission and was it's motive power.
Notwithstanding tho rumors his friends say he will
not 20 into the Cabinet, that "a chronic asthma or
bronchial trouble has long made hard labor unwel-
come aud that he cannot lead the sedentary desk life
of department. OF that know not; but do know
that this city has no earnest conscientious Republi-
lican who would not feel pleased with his appoint
ment.
Nor is Mr. Borio unwelcome TO our good Repub-
cans. | believe he has never had an Office. but that
is no reason why he should not. Your humble corre-
spondent has been in the Cabinet; but suppose
(ior tho sake OF ali iustrationl that Giant should
give him department, would his bitterest foe say
that his previous modcsty should be used to the do
triment of the public servicei Mr.. Adolph l..
Borie is retired member OF celebrated
Philadelphia firm. lie amassed his fortune
in the East India trade. and is now
in the rper years of his life. do not think he took
much interest in politics before the war; but quietly
voted the old Wing ticket and occasionally attended
q Whig meeting, and put his money down literally
for Henry Clay and protection to labor When the
war came he gave the cause Of the Union conspicu-
ous aid He gave his money with transformations
profuson. He was among tho founders Of the Union
League and think, Vice President In season
and out of season. in dark days and bright days. Mr.
Bore has been Jealous friend Of the Union and OF
the Republican party OF course lie il a gentleman
but why should that be q debarrng qualifications
There s still another gentleman whose name Col
Mcclure did not mention. but to whom Gen. Grant
ia thought 10 have referred That is Benjamin Har-
,;s Rrewster There is only one position in the Cab