The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-12-28

Wednssday xvenjng, DECEMBER ~. Ao1U.
ASHLEY, TIE GREAT IMPEACRER
ON THE CRISIS.
He il xnterviswed by the Chicago
Republican as to Grant, Chase,
Hendricks, ct al.
Among the many rotations in Office,
which President Grant has recently deemed
it wise to make, few and more noteworthy
than that of Gov. Ashley, of Montana, who
was superseded last summer by Geo. Potts.
Noteworthy" not because of the import
snce of the office, but because of the promi.
nent part Mr.. Ashley had taken in the or
ganization and direction of the republican
party, and the high standing he has always
occupied in rank. This gentleman is nov
in Chicago, on his way east, and believing
that he might have some important intor-
nation to communicate to the public, we
sent q reporter to the fremont yesterday to
interview him. The following is she result
Of short conference:
Repor,er-Well, Governor, l see that you
have turned lecturer. The newspapers say
you are going to lecture, bu. they do not
agree on the subject. Some of them say
you are 10 talk OF your experience in con-
gress.
Hon. Mr.. Ashley gave his head negative
shake.
Representatives. say you are to discuss
the question of emigration as affecting the
Western territories.
Mr.. Ashley-Well, / guess that's nearer
the thing.
NATIONAL POLITICS.
Knowing Mr.. Ashley to be wide awake,
keen, and active politician, we soon direct.
ed the conversation in quiet way to the
subject of national politics, to ascertain the
views of the distinguished Ex-Governor on
the future of parties in this country.
Mr.. A.-The republican party viii re-
nominate Grant by exclamation, Just as they
did Lincoln in 1864.
Repcrter-Think so?
Mr.. A.-Desd sure. No use talking abou.
it. And then, with shake of his massive
front, Hell-hell-hell I"
Reporter-Do you think he's working for
it2
AAi' h--~N OEhluk Diess yUuE soul, ne
lives for it. He never thinks of anything
else.
Reporter-And you think he'll make il,
against all the others?
Mr.. HI don't know of any others in
the field, There's Trumbull what's Horace
White trying TO do with him
Reporter-Make him President, suppose.
Ar. A.-He'll have hard time of it.
Trumbull is not the man for President.
He's too id cold. Besides, he couldn't
beat Grant in the convention, nor any place
else.
Reporter-WiH Grant be reelected
Mr.. A.-Don't know about that. 1t
depends on the Democrats. If they act
wisely they can beat him. But you
generally count on them to play the fool.
If they think they are going to win they are
sure 10 put up some candidate who can't be
elected.
Repor.er-Moss anybody would win
against Grant just now. Hendricks would
beat him all to pieces.
Mr. A.-You needn't talk about Hem
bricks as most anybody" He's a mighty
big man, tell you.
Repo-ter-How about Peudleton
Mr.. A.-Oh, he's played out.
Reportsr-He has the Presidency on the
brain as bad as Chase ever had.
Mr.. A.-Ies, worse, guess.
MR.. CHASE.
The incidental mention of Mr.. Chase's
name brought to the recollection of our
reporter the fact that he wss in the presence
of great admirer and fast friend of the
Chief Justice, and the conversation was
quickly diverted to new and interesting
channel.
Reporter-Is Chase as badly used up as
the newspapers report him ? If so, there
won't be much chance to make President
out of him.
Mr.. A.-No he is not slyzed-noth-
ing like it, l had o letter from him ebou.
month ago, written By his own hand-frm
as ever. He said he felt very much annoy
ed by the newspaper reports of his paralv-
sis, etc, and he had no doubt they all had
malicious origin. You know they have
said his brain was paral yzed-his mind
gone, and all that sort of thing, and that be
goes asleep in his chair on the bench
Reporter-As Judge Mclean used to ?
Mr.. A.-Yes but when he's fast asleep
he has more sense than Grant has when he's
wide awake,
Reporter And you don't think he could
be paralyzed down to the Grant standard
Mr.. A.-No except by violent attack
of cholera.
eporser-Well, SO you think he can be
kept up and moving for the next race?
Mr.. A.-Of course he can. Put on first
rate Vice President with him, and the PEG
pie will be satisfied. He'll last
till the fourth of March, 1873,
Reporter. If his friend had managed it
right, they could have nominated him in
Mr.. Ayes; but Chase has always been
unfortunate in his management. The worst
men in the country, and the poorest politi-
cians have always pretended to be running
him. This, too, always against his wish,
but he couldn't help it. He has been very
unlucky in getting into bad hands. If it
hadn't been so, he'd have been President
long ago. With very little exercise of
discretion he would have been nominated by
the New York Convention.
THE ELECTION OF 1868.
Reporter-Bus if nominated would he
have been elecred
Mr.. A.-Yes, certainly.
Reporter-Don't know about that. The
people were insane about Grant and were
determined to elect him.
MIR. A.-Not by d-n sight A change
of 2! per cent, of the vote of Indiana and
Pennsylvania, and 3 per cent. of the vote OF
Ohio would have beaten him, even with that
old stick, Seymour.
Reporter-Were you for him
Mr.. Al opposed his nomination, but
voted Cor him. l was for Wade or Colfax,
or any body against him. I'd have been for
Chase, but the impeachment had killed him
off with the republicans, and l saw there
was no chance for him.
GRANT AND ASHLEY.
Reporter-How did Grant come to re-
move you. Did you say anything agains,
him or work against him
Mr.. A. Laughing heartily | don't
know why the devil he got after me, unless
itIWas for a speech I made at a banquet
given to the retiring members of congress