New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-14
The Alleged Coalitios-Wflkes' History

,
From the St. Louis Republican,
New YORK, December S-George Wilke
publishes history of the alleged coalition
between the anti-Grant Republicans and thu
Democracy. The opposition to Grant is t
be based on the term plank. Wilkes say
he saw many prominent Republicans. espe
cially editors, and that they are in favor o
it. He then adds, the question being settled
by the Republican leaders, Ms if any limited
number of leaders can direct the genera
action of party, 1t became proper that the
chiefs of the Democratic party, whose jus,
hostility to Grant would necessarily co-ope
rate in any measure united to depOse him,
should be frankly informed of tle course
which the reform Republicans intended to
take. 1t was to meet this exigency that
! went to Washington on Monday last.
and put myself in communication with
some OF the principal Democratic mem
beers of both houses This visit resulted in
a meeting at my rooms at the Arlington,
on Tuesday evening. of a large number
Of the most prominent Democratic members
of the House and Senate. l was the sole
Republican present, and l opened the bust
ness of the occasion by stating that my
purpose in desiring to see them. was TO
communicate some intentions entertained
by prominent members Of the Republican
party on the subject of the next Presiden-
tial election. 1t was not my object to seek
an expression Of their views upon that
theme or to project a coalition. but simply
to lay before them in frank, good faith the
course which the gentlemen with whom l
was associated intended to pursue in the
coming campaign, believing that the spon-
taneous action which would follow on their
part would be better than any compact
which could be formed. That in fact. any,
thing in the shape of compact OF coalition
would, in my opinion, he very injudicous,
and not by any means promote the object
to be gained.
then recited what has been detailed be-
fore, along with some explanations and
conclusions which would be premature if
given now. l next submitted the preamble
and resolution which have been given
above. Some discussion and consultation
ensued, in which my views seemed to be
approved.
My opinions were then asked upon sew
eral points of interest, to which l replied
that l felt great delicacy in Offering an
opinion of any sort as to the policy Of the
Democratic party to gentlemen SO expert
enced as those present, but now that they
had given me the privilege to express nv
self in that way, would ask them to bear
in mind that the logical candidate for the
republican opposition to adopt would lie
one who would be most likely to be most !
unwelcome to the Democrats; that any at.
able to the Democracy, or to Weld them the |
Vice President on a fusion ticket, would |
prevent III from being able to handle our
forces, aad leave the immense flood of the
Republican majority to roll back and settle
at the feet of Grant.
All these views seemed to be approvingly
received aud the company dissolved as free
~ II went In, but at the same ,ine with an in
telligent understanding " hich will probably
have more binding force than any treaty
that could have been made. l may add
that it is very probable that the Democratic
party will hold convention of some sort
between now and February, in which it will
the one term principle along with
the Reform Republicans, who will soon be
ready to develop their detailed line of bat
tie. All the while during this fierce contest.
the Democracy will bear an attitude of
austere observation operating mainly as an
armed reserve, free from all coalitions, but
prepared to act with wisdom and with
vigOr.