Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-11-25
The Next Presidency.


As the tue for tie approaching session Of
Congress draws ncsr, various IcYsbscaa iur-
nails a-e becoming mach exercised as to the
programme Of the party with regard t, the
mex. presidency With a few exceptions, they
are quite outspoken in their preferences as to
its future policy. That stauneh old Journal,
the Springfield, Mass Rep'dlieaa, which is
one Of the most able and reliable in the eoun-
try, lays down some propositions that cannot
be gainsaysd by any careful Observer Of the
results Of the recent elections; and Of the atti
tude Of certain prominent leaders Of the Radi-
cal party towards the Executive foT some time
past.
It is thought that he Democratic or Con-
servative party cannot possibly succeed with
their own candidate, and with its platform as
it is. Its equally certain that the Radicals
if their unity is maintained, can carry any can
didats whom they may see fit to nominate
Gen. Grant, if nominated by the Radical con-
ventiOn, is surs to endanger the unity Of the
party. as il is well known that a number Of
the very best leadeT Of the party are opposed
to him. Even if nominated, some Of them viii
oppose him, unless Party-ties are stronger than
We think they are. Possibly, this opposition
may not be strong enough for his defeat The
RepuJlicaR quite Pertinently says: that the
Republican party, in view Of its history, with
its moral inspirations and its intellectual lea
derships, as well as in view % the aroused state
Of public feeling on the subject Of reforms in
the administration Of all branches Of the 60
vernment, ought to have different leader from
Gen. Grant one more in sympathy with its
moral and intellectual tone, its reforming and
progressive traditions, and more earnest for the
elevation and improvement in the Offices ofour
government, and the character Of its represen-
tatiyes, which the people are so earnestly de-
handing, and the success Of republican insti-
tutions so grievOusly needs"
This plainly says. that Grant is not IN active,
hearty sympathy with the moral and intellec-
tual leaders Of the party who are more pro
gressiye, and who heartily unite with the
masses backed by the utterances of an able
press throughout the land who demand that the
party shall put broad plank in its platform,
defining clearly its opinion on the civil service
question. Nay more, it is not the success Of
the party so much, but the success Of repuJ-
GcaR iRstitutions that the country needs
These are the words Of journal that thus far
is above party, and we gladly chronicle the
fact that it puts itselffairly and squarely in IA
vOr Of progression in the right direction Nor
is it alone in this important view of the objects
of good government The New York Tribune
and other influential journals are equally en-
phatic
The Republican expresses the belief that il
all the men in the party who desire another
candidate were to say SO, and then work to-
getber to secure such an exponent Of their
principles, be could easily be found, and when
found could carry the campaign successfully.
In naming men whom it supposes would unite
all the disafected elements Of the dominant
party, he instances Coliax, Boutwell, and Gen.
Hawley who are not at variance with the pre-
sent administration; and Of those who are
equally loyal to radical interests but more or
less separated from it in their syupathies per-
ssnal or otherwise, he points out Sumner,
Adams, Greedy, Cox Of Ohio Trumbull and
Davis Of H., Crate Brown Of No, and Gov.
Curtin Of Pa.
Quite 4 formidable array Of Radical talent is
thus paraded from whence to eliminate aracer
for the grand quadre NAL race for the chief
magistracy in 1872. Colfax has recently re-
iterated bis intention not 10 be a candidate,
and promising to support Gen. Grant. This
settles the question as to the smiling presiding
officer Of the Senate. We presume that Chief
Justice Chase is purposely left out in the cold
Or, possibly, he is not deemed a good enough
Republican to, be named in such a catalogue
if it be not surmised by this astute political
observer that the learned and able iurist may
possibly consent to be the staudsrd-bcarer Of
the Conservatives. Looking over the whole
political ground as it appears at present, we
are clearly Of the opinion, that Conservatives
may have some show for success in the grand
corfosf