Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-28
PRESIDENTIAL SPECULATION
WASHINGTON, March 22

ARLINGTON, Marcn ZZ
A great deal of quiet discussion is going on
among prominent Republican politicians here
upon the question of who is to be the nomi-
nee OF the party next year for the President.
Last December, when Congress met, there
was but one opinion upon the subject, and
that was that Gen. Grant was sure of renomi-
nation, and more sure of election than any
! otner man who could be named. Since then,
ana especially within the last few weeks, a
marked change has taken place, and it is now
apparent that strong opposition to General
Grant exists, which includes a number OF Sen
ators and Representatives of large influence
and national reputation This opposition is
no doubt caused in some part by recent polt-
zeal events, but it results, also, to large eX-
tent, from the manifestation of the latent hos
tlity that has been accommodating during the
two years of the present Administration, and
which naturally shows itself about year be-
fore the time for holding the nominating con-
vention.
The chief argument Of those who oppose
the denomination of Gen. Grant is that defeat
would be certain if he should be the nominee.
They maintain that the dissensions that exist
IN the Republican party can only be healed
by the nomination of a new man. against
whom no portion of the party entertain feel
ings of GOODNESS or luminosity, and that, in
view of the increased strength, vigor, and con-
hdence of the Democrats, any other course
would be suicidal.
To this the friends of Gen. Grant reply that
a President always becomes most unpopular
about the beginning of the third year of his
term, owing to the disappointments of office
seekers and the quarrels of politicians who
strive to control the distribution of patronage
that this unpopularity is chiefly manifested in
Washington, and is no true index of the sem
timent of the people; and that from now on,
Gen. Grants popularity will steadily increase,
so that he will be renomnated next year with
out serious opposition, as unquestionably the
strongest candidate that could be selected.
| They refer to Mr.. Lincoln's experience as
proof of their position. In 1868 there were
scarcely dozen Republicans in Congress who
favored Lincoln's denomination, and yet, in
| 1864 the tide had so turned in his favor that
| there was no question of any other candidate.
The anti Grant men reply that Lncon's
case was the exception to the rule in politics,
caused by the fact that the people were averse
to making change in the midst Of war. Ev-
cry other President, they argue, since the time
of jackson, steadily lost his popularity from
the beginning to the end of his Administration,
and after the denomination and terrible defeat
of Van Buren,, neither party ever ventured to
attempt to re-elect President until 1864,
when the war set aside for the time all the es-
tablished political axioms. They insist that
when parties are nearly evenly balanced, as
5 at present. it would be impossible to re-elect
I any President in face of the jealousies, dis
appointments, and animosi,ies he necessarily
causes in the course of his Administration, bt
!, he ever so wise, even if he has been so sue
d cessful as to get through his term withou
creating any divisions in his party upon ques
y tions of public policy.
u The opposition to Gen. Grant is not unitet
/ upon any candidate and no names are men
:. toned except in suggestive way. Som
u think it would be well to take public man o
: undoubted strength and force of characte
$ like Blaine, Schenck, Colfax, Boutwell,, Nor
ton Wilson, or dozen others who might bt
= mentioned; others, that success would b.
i more certain with a military candidate o
: great popularity like Gen. Sherman others
that splendid war record, followed by &
successful career in politics, would make sucl
D man as Gen. Logan the strongest possible
candidate; and still others, that candidate
! who was kept out of the recent broils of poll
tics, but has marked talents and high rep
utaton, would best insure success.
These are, in brief the opinions expressed
in political circles in Washington. The OPP
position to the denomination has, as yet, lit
tie force or direction, and none of the
strength of combination; but there is enough
in it to insure an active canvass of the gues-
ton among the people during the coming
Summer and Fall, and when Congressman
! return next December, fresh from their con-
stituents, the active work of organizing and
manGuvering to control the Nominating Con-
yention may be expected TO begin in earnest.
-Nep York Tribune.