The Portland daily press., 1871-12-14
PR ESS.
THURSDAY MORNING, DEC. IA, 1871.
Views Of An Anti-Gran Renuhlic.n

Aoul ieauiiiS eui'oriai In your impression of
Saturday 9th inst, is quite different in tome
from many of the administration ionrn.,s
and no doubt will meet with favor amonn
many of your readers; still you assume an air
of confidence in the denomination of General
Grant which many will feel scarcely warran-
ted at the present time.
1t is more than probable if the nominating
convention were to meet today General Grant
would be nominated, but after the New
Hampshire election last spring it is equally
probable he would have been defeated. The
mutations of time work strange changes in
politics and it lacks safety to cast the political
horoscope so far ahead of the time for decid-
ing who will be nominated by the Republi-
leans as their standard bearer in the next
Presidential campaign.
Your estimate of the opposition of Dana
and his Sun is a just aud correct one. His
course prompted unquestionably by disap-
pointment is too mean, his, abuse too scuri-
lous to make his hostility rise to a dignity
worthy the notice of the better class of Re
publican journals. They pass his vituperative
attacks unnoticed. But you underrate the
feeling which exists in the party today against
Grants denomination aud this feeling takes
more formidable shape because of the charac-
ter of those who give it aid and support
Mess Greeley, Sumner, Schurs and others
will make no factious opposition but these
men are leaders whose strength it will not
be well to undervalue and they all
agree in the inexpedentcy of run
ming Grant second term. They do
not consider it essential to success, but do con-
slider as Webster said of Taylor's cit is NOM
imation not fit to be made''
Gen. Grant goes before the people with this
in his favor-his administration has been
measurably economical and the public debt
reduced say two hundred and seventy. five
million dollars, since his Inauguration, two
and half years ago. Mr.. Boutweps month
ly reports of reduction of our debt are the
strong cards and will not unlikely be played
to win. They are stirring appeals-appeals
which reach the average mind of the country,
the common sense of the people, touching
their interests and thus becoming potential.
Again, Grant has always said he would not
oppose the expressed wish of the party which
put him in power, and it shows wisdom. In
the main he has adhered closely to this deter
mination as evidenced in his mastery retreat
upon the San Domingo question. His splen-
did generalship on that occasion placed the
opposition as it were hors du combat and left
him stronger than before Then, too, Grant
has continually since becoming President up
held the claim of the negro, and this is no
trifing thing in his favor-nay, it is of the ut
most Importance, no,o of greater Importance
to the freedmen perhaps than ever before or
will be again, that their claims be not treated
indifferently. 1t is an hour of trial with them
notc, and they need stout hearts and strong
hands, and that they feel they have these
requisites in Gen. Grant is manifest by the
hearty adhesion to his cause, given by the
negro's ablest trepresentative-Fred. Douglass.
Gen. Grants cordial sympathy with the in
dustrial interests of the country through his
well known views upon protection to Ameri-
can industry, adds greatly to his strength with
the masses.
Admitting all the claims in his behalf, you
may say why not re-elect him for a second
term, and the answer by those who oppose
him is, that no one should be elected to sec
ond consecu % term. Some of the State;
restrict the off, If Governor to one term by
their Constitution. 1t was favorite doc
trine of the old Whig party and in opposing
Gen. Jackson's election second term, they
waxed eloquent thereupon. 1t is presumably
safe to say Lincoln would not have been re-
nominated had not those hostile to him felt
the force Of his saw, that it would not do to
swap horses while crossing the stream, and so
it was the Convention of1S64 was a farce. 1t
might as well have been held in the White
House, for there it was planned and perfect
ed. The players sat there if the game did ap-
pear to the public in Baltimore. The one
term advocacy of Mr.. Greeley is a strong ar
gument.
The charge of nepotism against Gen. Grant
is no doubt well founded and his enemies are
making the most of it. This, together with
his apparent susceptibility to the friendship
which exhibits itself in valuable gifts has
caused many earnest and sincere friends
much regret. They wonder at the mans i'll
discretion in laying himself open to line OF
fire which cannot fail to work damage to
him.
Grant has been unfortunate in taking an
active part in State politics, as for instance in
Missouri, where he met with signal defeat
and he has made prodigious mistakes in some
of his appointments. Take single case, that
of Murphy in the New York custom-house.
1t was an insult to every decent Republican,
and to respectable men of both parties to ap-
point Tom Murphy collector. A vulgar, il
literate fellow, he had no standing as busi-
ness man, and his record was tainted. He
cannot construct sentence dramatically
nor spell more correctly than the illustriou'
Fisk, Jr. He was known to be the confidan
of the leaders of the Ring, and supported
| Hoffman for Governor, and yet this man Gen
| Grant placed in the most important and lu
crative Office in his gift. Is it to be wondered
| at that our best men and our ablest Journals
| demanded his removal? The New York
1AhCo WIiSh iOohSu uPOh oPPoAHe-
ment at the time it was made with disgust,
is now about alone his defender, and this
journal which arrogates to itself leadership
among administration papers, Extensively and
impudently talks of conspiracy among dis
affected Republicans to defeat Gen. Grant
There is no conspiracy, but there is quiet
determined opposition to his nomination
which will assume before Congress adjourns
bold persistent character, and may accom-
plish its end. The movement has the SYM
pathy and aid of many whose names are in
scribed high upon the Republican banner
who helped to bring the party into existence,
and have been its main strength in its darkest
days. The administration papers may affect
to despise the effort as futile, and be terribly
amiss in their reckoning. 1t is likely the op
| position to Gen. Grant will be made within
party lines, and if he receive the nomination
| in the National Convention, will receive the
undivided support of the Republican Party
The country is not yet prepared ro place the
| destinies in the hands of the Blair Chase Sey
mour party by whatever name it may call it
self PUBLICUs.
MONDAY, Dec. II, 1871.
A LAWSUIT as strange as it is rare is nov
I