Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-02-27
GRANT AND THE RADICALS.
Significant Interview Between
Gen. Grant and Mr.. Me
Clure, Of Pennsylvania.
A Lively Time Among the Radi-
cal Politicians.

Special to the Louisville Courier Journal.
| WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.-Ths politi>
clans and the President elect have had
an exciting time to-day. The fact made
public by Gen. Grant on Tuesday, that
he had decided to appoint Pennsylvs-
man IN his cabinet, has brought to
Washington the leaders of the Radical
party in that State, most of whom, with
as little principle as good taste, have
sought to dictate on The mere basis of
rumor regarding said appointment. The
result has already been strife and dis
cord in the Republican ranks and CONS
motion among the politicians. This
| morning Hon. Alex. Mcclure, Chairman
Of the Pennsylvania State Republican
Committee, went to army headquarters
in company with one or two friends, and,
sending his card in, obtained an inter-
view with the President elect. Mr.. Nc
Clure, after the usual interchange Of
courtesies, said he had letter, signed by
Judges Agnew, Williams and Reed, of
the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and
other prominent men Of the Republican
party In the State, asking that the State
might be represented in the cabinet of
the new administration, and respectfully
suggesting the name of ex-Goy. Andrew
G. Curtin for position. He added that
letter from Gov. Geary and others WAS
on the way, warmly indorsing Gov.
Curtin and commencing him to the favor
Of the President elect in the hope that
the name would be we'll and fayorably
received. Gen. Grant replied to this
that he had already determined to give
the State Of Pennsylvania place in the |
cabinet, and had selected distinguished |
gentleman and member Of the RepubliS |
can party, whose name, however, he could |
not mention at present. He felt confiS |
dent that the selection would meet the |
approval OF the party and the people of |
that State. Mr.. Mcclure said he had |
noticed the names in the newspapers Of |
George II. Stewart, Boree, "a Philadelphia |
merchant) and sn ex-Judge Smith, as beS
ing likely to cover the name of the party /
selected, but he hoped that such was not
the case. He felt justified, as the Chair
man for several years of the Republican
State Committee, in saying that these
men were not active Republican pOliti-
clans they would not please the party,
and were not deserving, by work or de-
vOtiOn, of any such high regard or COM
pliment, or words to that effect. Gen.
Grant then said, 81 do not see that the
politicians of Pennsylvania should make
up my cabinet" ~
Mr.. Mcclure replied that, as for Geo.
II. Stewart, he never knew him to be ac-
tive at Republican meeting, or to COM
tribute otherwise to the success Of the
Republican party. Indeed, he could not
be looked upon as a representative man
Of the party; and he added that, standing
IS an old member Of his party, must
protest against the selection Of Mr.
Stewart" "Why," said Gen. Grant, with
IN expression of surprise, / do not see
now any one can object to. Mr.. Stewart.
he devoted himself during the war to his
country, contributing his personal SER
Tices and his means for the soldiers Of the |
Irmy; "but, with pause, do not UNDER
itand me as saying that | have selected
Mr.. Stewart as member of my cabinet"
Mr.. Mcclure said, "Mr. Stewart is
lot representative of the Republican
party" Gen. Grant replied with en-
,hasis: Then am not a representative
If the Republican party" The Presi-
lent elect then moved towards a desk
that he did not desire to pro-
ong the interview, and Mr.. Mcclure
aid: " General, feel it my duty to pre-
ent the name of Gov. Curtin. That ac-
emphasized, my missien is ended" He !
hen withdrew.