The New York herald., 1871-02-13
Prospects Of General Grant
for a denomination.
General Sickles Negotiating With
the Spanish Court.
Our Claims for Damages in Cuba
to be Adjudicated.
The National Onion League Gnb and Am
nesty Towards the South.

WASHINGTON, Feb, 10, 1871.
The Asp;rapts for the Next Presidency-Pros-
poets Of General Grant for Renominati0u-
His Republican ind Dem0cratic Compe-
tiiors.
The polltic LEANS ana party managers OF both the
republican and democratic organizations, are earn
estly at work here shaping things for the Presden-
ual nomination or 1872 The several candidates
and their Intends, with the exception OF General
Grant, are anxious to keep their movements as
quiet rs possible-nrst because they are afraid
their rivals may ascertain what they about and.
second, because they do not want TO trot out their
candidates too early In the race. Grants admirers
make secret Of the fact that he VIII be candi-
date before the Republican National Convention for
denomination. Indeed the President himself, II Is
said is not In the habit OF denying 1t. There was
a time when no other person than Grant was men,
sioned as the nominee Of the republican party.
During the last few weeks however, other aspirants
for Presidency in the Senate and House have be-
gun 10 be mentioned by their friends. There are
those among the republican Senators and members
who make bold to say that they do not think Grant
can be renominated, and that If he is successful
n obtaining the nomination he is likely to be
defeated by the democratic candidate, provided that
party has the good sense to put In the field a man
with reasonably good record, on platform which
Will command the confidence Of the people.
This is the talk !, which you hear
in the halls OF Congress- in the lobbies
Of the hotels and wherever politicians are
wont TO congregate. Senator Schurz is reported
as saying that Grant cannot secure the large Ger
man vote In the next campaign, Senator Sum ner
does not think the republican party can afford to
have Grant as q candidate, General Logan is doubt
fu about the republican convention renominating
Grant, and lesser lights in Congress shake their
heads omlnously and say, "It looks blue for 1872"
On the other hand, strong party men, like Morton,
Ben Butler Henry wilson, Chandler and Conkling
think there win be no serious opposition to Grants
denomination except he should commit some seri.
GUS blunders within the next twelve or fifteen
months, which they say he is not likely to
do With regard TO his election, they seem
70 rely TO great extent for its success
upon the blenders OF the democracy. An nJudi-
clous nomination and an obnoxious platform on
the part Of the demecrats ike that OF 1S6S WILL in
the opinion OF these sagacous politicians, enable
Grant to walk over the course in 1872 with more
ease than he did two years ago. mistake by the
democrats OF this sort is regarded important for
The republicans, owing 70 the peculiar political
complexion Of the Southern States and the doubt
ful position of such large States as Pennsylvania
and Indiana.
There Is third class OF republican politicians who
manifest cold indifference about the denomination
other candidate. arefu Investigation shows that at
present this class is by far the most numerous
Among them are such men as Fenton Trumpull,
Patterson, Morrill, OF Vermont Spencer, Upton and
Sherman in the Senate, and Farnswortn, Dawes
Banks, Kelsey, Sconeld and Garfield in the House.
These men are not absolutely against Grants nomi-
nation, but they are not enthusiastic for it. The
Southern republicans, class, express their
preference for Senator Morton as candidate for che
Presidency In 1872. That gentleman, however is
too warm friend and admirer OF Grant to allow his
own name to come authortatvely before the conven-
tion when General Grant will be candidate Besides,
the Southern republicans viii hardly be able to
carry any Of their own States except, perhaps,
South Carolina. Morton. however, is strong with
the leading men Of the party IN the North and
West Were ne q candidate 1t Is conceded on all
sides that he would give General Grant trouble.
But 1t Is understood that in No event will he be-
come a candidate except Grant should voluntarily
retire from the field.
Boutwell's unpopular financial policy has ruined
whatever Presidential prospects he may have had
General John A. Logan, recently elected United
States Senator from Illinois, is talked OF as
q candidate against Grant. Unlike Morton,
ne will have no scruples in allow
ing his name to be brought before the
convention. lie is not at swords points
with Grant; but he evidently does not regard the
President as the greatest man in the country, or
even IL the republican party. Logan has some ele-
ments Of strength which the other asplrants lack.
He is at the head Of that semi political organization
known as the "Grand Army Of the Republic y
which has its rami1cations In every State OF the
Union If he chooses to use this he can do SO with
great deal OF effect in sending Logan delegates to
the National Convention. Logan is one of the
ssboYs," and his repeaie election TO the command
nr fhe RIM of fba Ron
popular with whatever there is left OF the soldier
element.
There are mysterious whisperings about Colrax
appearing upon the scene when the scramble begins
for the nomination. Shrewd fellows from Indiana,
who are familiar with Colfax, having known him
from his first entrance upon public life, assert that
as politician he is full OF
Ways that are dark
And tricks that are vain.
These men regard his famous letter Withdrawing
from public life as smart attempt to conceal his
real designs. The majority however agree that
politically, Cofax mas fallen into athe sere and vel
low leaf" and that 1t would be hard to palvanize
MIN into popularity.
GRANTS Eiends count greatly on his being able to
settle the Alabama claims, the fishery question and
TO secure the acquisition of ST. Domingo and one
or two other West India islands before the close OF
his present term. Should he complete these nepo
f1aiions and make this part OF the policy OF his ad
mnstration az assured success prior to the assem-
bling Of the nominating convention 1, Is conceded
chat he Yill be hard 10 defeat
The democrats are as busy President-makInU az
their brethren Of the dominant party. They are
more bothered about candidate than the republi
cans PROBABLY because they have more material
from which to seect. Ex-senator Hendricks M
Indiana, has been here all winter, watching every
movement Of The republicans and keeping a sharp
efe on the little games Ia progress among the
aspirants OF his avn party. OF Hendricks is
q candidate. He wishes TO be considered the only
candidate upon that side or the House. At the
brilliant stag party given by Sam Cox, few weeks
ago. in honor OF Hendricks and Blair, the sagacious
Sam remarked, with an air unusually impressive
and solemn for him, There are men in this
room WHO VIII settle The question OF the