Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-12-06
SENATOR TRUMBUIps VIEWS.


/ have Just had detailed TO me, by 9
prominent Southern politician. the par
| ticulars of conversatian had within
the last day or two, with Senator Trum,
bull, of Illinois. My informant, who is
himself an ex-United States Senator,
states that he met Judge Trumbull in
the library of Congress, and that, after
exchanging friendly salutations, he
asked the Senator whether he would con-
sent to the use Of his name as a conserv-
ative candidate for the Presidency
against General Grant. The Illinois
statesman replied with more than usual
emphasis:
"No, sir, would not.
"And why not?"
"For many reasons" Judge Trum-
bull said in substance: In the first
place / am satisfied where am. | CON
slider seat in the Senate Of the United
States position in which can be more
useful than any other, and believe il to
be as honorable as any under the Gov
ernment If its duties be efficiently and
properly discharged. In the next place,
do not agree with the programme
which has been marked out by those who
refuse to support the candidacy Of the
President for reelection. / Iam conscious
of the need Of many reforms, and am
daily striving to accomplish them. But
do not believe that revolution Of par
ties will be salutary. do not believe
either the people of the North or South
are ready to profit by such change"
And why not|
Because the people of the South
have really accepted nothing and are
mot willing TO cooperate with the liberals
of the North in settling the practical re-
lations OF society on sure and generous
basis. ] know that the South has much
TO complain of. But so have the liberal
Republicans. 1t is not ths rebel ele-
ment perhaps, but the nature Of things
that the South should not realize the
complete overthrow Of the old order
and the necessity for complete change
of the domestic policy. ! believe that
the defeat of Gen. Grant would involve a
reaction at the South, whose conse-
quences would be even worse than the
present state of affairs
Don't you think Gen. Grant medi-
tates the permanent usurpation OF the
Executive Officer"
mo, / do not. My opinion is that |
Gen. Grant is, in the main, conserya-
tive man. He has made mistakes. But
| can not say they justify his removal.
"What are your personal relationsY
Every friendly / have opposed some
of his measures; but / have no personal
feeling against him, and, indeed, this is
one Of the reasons why It is disagreeable
TO have my name mentioned in the con-
nection you name.
"The Southern Democracy would sup
port you with pleasure. "
You are mistaken. The Democracy
is yet too strong in numbers to disband,
for that is the meaning of the passive
policy. Three millions of Democratic
voters cannot afford to sell themselves
to two or three hundred thousand Re.
publican voters, and that for a mess Of
pottage which the Republicans and not
the Democrats are to enjoy. | don't be-
lieve they will do it. | think the pas
sive policy already fai!sre."
Like the new departure2
"No, not exactly. The new departure
was a necessity, win or lose. Had the
Democrats not adopted it, but in its !
place had adopted the platform Of 1868, |
they would have been still more diaas-
trously beaten. The new departure made
no recruits because the people did not
believe it honest. The Democratic party
leaders did what they could no longer
aIygccid-that is. accept the amendments-
and the Republicans have to thank such
writer's rs NJ. Stephens and Mr.. For
sythe that the step in advance did not
make further inroads. By 1876 the is.
sues of the war, the amendments and
the Ku-KlUx will be out Of the way, and
here may be a new and complete reor-
ganization of parties. But not now.
What do you think Of the Ku-KluxT
They may be exaggerated; But
here is enough Of unpublished violence
At the South to justify the newspapers in
az the outcry they are making, This
llone would beat the Democracy.
Then you think the fight next year
will be straight-out party AFFAIR."
81 think it will be, as FAR as the Re-
oublicans are concerned. The party is
iot really divided. Its internal discus
lions merely exhibit the exercise Of in
lividual free will, and do it good and
lot harw. It gill act as body, and
think will poll q larger vote than II did
n 1868, no matter what framework or
yhat candidates are opposed to it. The
,eoplo believe in the Republican party
N account Of its liberal diacpsslons." "
am assured In saying that the opin-
ons of Senator Trumbull are also the
nininns Of Senator Summer.