Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-12-08
The Anti-Grant PARTY.

II IL obvious. we presume, to the Free Press,
that any Republican can now oppose zen
Grants re nomination. without even the thought
much less the purpose. of recognizing new
psrty. The New York Tribune, for Instance
is understood TO be opposed to the denomination
Of Gen. Grant, but if he should be fairly nom
insted by the Republican Nstlonsl Convention
the Tribune would not oppose his election.
Nothing has vet appeared TO warrant any pro
phecy that the candidate named by the next Re
publcan NAtionsl Convention will not command
the united support Of the party. But this
not only does not render it any the less import
ant that there should be full and frank expires
sion Of opinion and comparison Of views bgore
the Convention it makes it all the more neces-
sary that such free discussion should be had
II the action Of the Convention is TO he acq1l-
esced in, il becomes of the fret consequence that
the preferences of all portions Of the party
should be fairly weighed before the candidate Is
selected, and that the best man should then be
placed before the people for their sufirages-
.nontpelier Freeman.
Before the decision of the National Republi-
can Convention, Of course full and free discus-
sion il regard to candidates is in order. The
party hasa right to select the best man, all
things considerei and every republican has a
perfect right to enjoy, and express, his opinion
sc to who is the bert man. The FREE Press has
intimaied nothing to the contrary. The article
upon which the Freeman comments above, had
reference, not to any action within the repubh-
can party Of men who intend to support the
nominee Of the psrty but to the movements.
based Oh the assumption that President Grant
will be renominsted, to effect coalition between
the democratic party and dissatisfied minority
Of the republican party to accomplish the over
throw of the regular republican nominee. Such
movements are on foot. To what extent the
New York Tribune is concerned in them, we do
not know The Tribune opposed Mr.. Lincoln's
denomination, but acquiesced in 1t, after It was
made 1t oppo,ed Gen. Grants nomination
but acduiescei again. 1t probably cannot afford
to do other wise thsn scquiesce sgsin, al least in
form, if Grant is renominated but he il a bold
man who undertakes positively to predict the
course Of the Tribune. Mr.. Greeley has been
suggested az the candidate Of the Anti-Grsnt
Party. Prominent democrats have said they
we're ready to support him. What be or the
Tribune would OF would not do, under such
influences, We certainly cannot cay. The Free
man, we take it for granted, will support the
nominee Of the republican party.
But while it IL true that any discussion Of
candidates not intended to work division of the
party. is justfsble till nomination has been
formally made, it is also he fact, as II seems 10
us, that the great majority Of the republican
party are not in doubt in respect to their choice.
Nor is President Grants strength as a candidate
for denomination, due to the professed politicians.
lie cuts too often scross party Lies in his sp-
pointments, and is too independent Of " States
and " rings" to be personally fayori,e with the
politician az class; and such support him
mainly because Of his strength with the voters.
HIS individual character does no; awaken much Of
enthusiasm or o. tie sentiment Of personal loyalty
But the Republican masses desire for President
frat Of all an honest man, who will strive to Sc
cure economy, purity and efficiency in the public
service They desire one who will firmly but
not vindictively guard the crest results secured
By the war against the rebellion, and one who
will not needlessly embroil US with foreign ns-
tions. 1t is because they believe Gen. Grant to
have shown hmtelf to be such man; because
they believe his mistakes to have teen honest
mistakes; and because they feel thst there is a
certainty about bis future course in these res
pects. which they would not feel with an un-
uied man, that they sustain him, by State after
State, and will sustain him by their delegates in
the National Convention. This opinion Of him
is not that Of weak or ill-informed men. The
Freeman has expressed its preference for Mr..
ColfsI, for the head Of the ticket Mr.. Colfs1
has, in other words, the purity Of character and
purpose, the clearness and strength Of mind. the
ability to judge of men, the 6rmness and the
independence which the Freeman deems
requisite for the head Of the gov
erpment Yet Mr.. Colfax. far better situated
toJudge Of the character of Gen. Grant and of
the wy In which be has sustained himself under