The New York herald., 1871-12-11
WASHING CTON.
Senator Wilson's Views on the
Political Situation.
Continued Excitement Over the Threat
ened Impeachment Scheme.
The Breach Between Sumner and
the President Widening.
PASSIVISM AND P0SSUMISM.
PASSIvISM AND POSSUMISM.
Attempt to Exttrminate the Bureau Of In
ternal Revenue and The Army
Of Tax Collectors
Investigation of the Defalcations in thu
Treasury Department

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 1871.
Goaas0r Wilson On the Presidential Quess-
liea-Slostility Of Summer TO Grnnt-Secrc-
sary Fish and the Republican Senni eri,si
L~rser-His Opinion Of the Impeachment
Programme.
long conversation wtn Senator Whsan yesser.
day revealed some points OF very great anterest IN
the psesent juncture OF political affairs. II Is well
known that Mr. Wilson has been very active ever
since The reassembng OF Congress In trying TO bring
about q reconciliation between the President and
Senator Sumner, and has exerted himself with all
his power to heal tile breach In the republican
party. SO far all his Efforts have been unsuccessful,
but the fact that he has been s,rcnuously making
them. and his belief that the differences between
his colleague and the President are the n,isappre-
hension OF very strong and very obstinate men,
who have but little community OF feeling at best, give
20 his atterances very grave Importance. Senator
Wilson believes that the republican party to-day is
stronger and more cohesive than was the demo-
cracy at period or Its history, and he does net
conceal his belief that Grant is by all odds the
strongest man In the party lie declares that no
coalition can break down the President, and that
every effort 10 destroy Grant must prove abortlye.
This belief is founded on Grants prestige abroad
AMI his popularity at home, and 1t Is strengthened
In the Senator's mind by all the pacuarities OF the
political situation.
AT THIS stage OF the conversa' ion Mr. WEson drew
most interesting picture OF recent events In the
history OF the country saying the war had revealed
only two names, which stand far above all the
others, that have attained worldwide fame, those
oi Lincoln and Grant. that the story o. our great
civil war could not he written without bringing out
In the cearest colors the achievements aud process
OF Grant while the words aud acts, and even the
names of no senator of the United States neccs
to fa mr.
den" the Senator remarked, 'was not only the
a5lest dcbatcr and one OF the clearest and
most comprehensive thinkers who hal sat In
the Senate at any time during his own long years
oi service In that body but he Secretary OF the
Treasury at the time when The war was testing
American credit ana American financial ability TO
the utmost Mr.. Greeley had actually written a
history OF The conflict for the Union In two large
volumes, which did not ever contain Fesscndcn's
name. From this the Senator glided naturally into
comparison 0: Lncons chances FOR reelection
at the OF the year 1868 and the beginning OF
isSa and Grants chances now, poiatlng out tho
fact thai at The lime OF the meeting
of the Thirty eighth Congress majority
of the republican members OF both houses were
opposed 10 Lncoln's denomination. and took no
care TO conceal their hostility, while the assem-.
bling OF the Forty-sccond Congress brings men
together who acquiescc IN the apparent predeter.
mination Of the people, whose wll like conscience
''dotn make towards OF them ALL" These, OF
course far from being the senator's words, but
90 other form OF speech could more vividly por-
ray the Senators meaning. On other points Mr..
Wilson was equally clear and explicit. and he
does not fear that the republican party win be in
want OF an acceptable and successful candidate
In any event.
Vice President Colax wonld, he believes,
pc Grants successor 10y election In
case OF the Presidents DEATH or OF any event which
should prevent Grants renoinnaton, but he does
not question Grants success In spite OF every effort
which may be made by the strongest neii IN the
republican party TO defeat him through u coalition
with The democrats. In Massachusetts the Senator
believes the number OF Grants friends Is over
~helmlng and, though they deplore the unfortunate
quarrel between his colleague and the President, he
does not think that many republicans could be In
uuced 10 take sides against the administration.
Senator Wilson comuats the ilea tnat Grant, by
bis own efforts, is seeking q denomination,
and thinks tho President docs too many
things which he would not do If he
were guided only by desire FOR another term.
HIS own failure rs peacemakcr, he believes. is one
Of the evidences Of ms; ana tie Presidents i'm.
polite lettcr 10 Collector Murphy accepting the
la,crs resignation, ne regards still further proof.
MANY other hule points OF the same Kind were
The Greeley Fenton nght was also discussed, but
this part OF the talk was OF private nature 1t
not be divuged
The senatorial letter to Secretary Fish, which has
not yet been answered, but which, 1t Is UNDER
stood, viii be assented to By the Secretary. both
as the wish of the President and Of the Senate,
was admitted TO mean more OF a disposition 10
keep Judge Perrepont out than to keep Fish in
against MS will George william Curtis Is Senator
Ig nr,tAa
Senator thinks that with man OF Mr Curtis
character AMI culture IN the position, ihe repub-
lIcan party wouj be strengthened .n greater
degree inan in the nomination OF Judge Pierrepout,
who is, for one reason another, distastefnl 10
many Senator'S The significance OF this converse.
tiob due as much 10 the time when 1t occurred
as 10 It's subject matter.
When Congress assembled week ago. neither
party went up 10 the Capitol with policy. The
mastery spirit OF the Message forced the republican
party 70 face anout with much rapldlty as an
order from Grants headquarters changed the posi-.
lion OF mis- army. HIS democratic opponents were
bewldered 10y the ceierty OF his movements. ana
had II not been that senator Sumner stood up TO
direct the counter attack the democracy would have
been irresIleyahly lost. Sumner Is asute poll
ucisn and direct his attacks that recovered
some Of The lost ground before the week was out
There Is something sublime In his hatred OF
Grant and Grant Is foolish enough 10 talk Of
sumner as "crazy.n The two men completely un.
derestlt1ate eaen others power. and are coming To-
petner in fierce nut blind conflict. When Grant en-
Geavored 10 catch the popular ear by proposing a
reduction OF iaxaiion and favorng clv service re.
form, Sumner Ieplied by notice OF hn sweeping
fhe whole Internal Revenue service out OF exist
ence. III the government does not want internal
taxation, except stamp duties on tobacco and spr.
ns,r SAID Mr.. sumner TO HERALD correspondent,
ut IL unnecessary TO keep an army of tax gather
srs IN o1icen The oil which is to be offered
lu The senate tomorrow, and which makes the
stamp tax on distilled spirits seventy 1--WE cents per
gallon. and terminates the Revenue Bureau with
al IL pard pharnala on the lst OF september, was
- fzs.ly prepared TO meet the polifical exigency