Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-14

that respect he would have an advantage
over his opponent. But alone it would moi
elect him.
| Q.-Has Grant much strength il the
| West9 ID ~ 8&M E1l
A.-The Western people have no affection
] for him, and there is not the least enthusi-
asm in his favor anywhere in the West.
/ Some Of his warmest admirers and most ell
| oquent advocates during the last campaign
are now silent; they have not word to say
in his behalf. The most prominent MEM
bers of the Post-the Grand Army Of the
Republic-who heretofore pressed his claims
so warmly, are not making any exertions in
| his favor. Recently, while on visit to the
West, in the vicinity of Grants former
| home, asked friend of mine, at whose
house was stopping, what the people there
thought of the President, and he replied
that they had very poor opinion of him;
they did not think he was an honest man.
My friend asked me to ride around within
the neighborhood and he would show me
at least five grog-shops where the President
of the United States has yet whisky bills
standing against him-the scores not having
been wiped out.
Q.-What kind of statesman is Gen.
Grant?
A. He is no statesman whatever. He
has good military education, and outside
of military affairs he knows nothing, and
has apparently not concerned himself about
any State matters, excepting the San Do
minSO affair. In a conversation with him
on one occasion he spoke upon the San
Domingo question over an hour with such
great earnestness and rapidity that could
r,,Nrr =. - I
pause occurred, l endeaYored to reason
with him, but he had nothing further to say
on the subject. 1t appeared as if he had
said all he could, and concluded that what
he had said was a set speech-that he had
merely repeated what he had previously
committed TO memory. Grants chief con-
Germ appears to be money-making.
Q. Do you think he makes money in a
corrupt way?
A. L shouldn't like to say that, but he
has managed to make some seven or eight
hundred thousand dollars during his admin
istration, and he thinks he has not enough
yet. A friend of mine residing in New
York, who was until very recently a very
warm admirer of Gen. Grant, stated to me
that during a conversation with him, the
President had disguised him by remarking
that be did not think his (Grant's) friends
had yet sufficiently rewarded him for the
services he had rendered them and the sac
rifces he had made-the remark, as my
friend took it, being a strong hint for more
presents.
Q. Would Grant receive much pecuniary
benefit by the purchase by the United
States of the Island of San Domingo?
A. He himself, directly, would not, but
his friends, the Ring, would make large
sum of it. The island is completely COW
cred with their claims.
Q. Does Grant really desire to occupy
the Presidential chair another term?
A. He has but two aspirations-re-elec-
ton and another million.
Q. In case of the denomination of Grant
is it likely that Summer, who is now OPP
posed to him, will support him-use his in
fuence for him-during the campaign?
A. Mr.. Sumner will not under any cir
Cumstances support Gen. Grant; he enter
tains the most cOntemptuous opinion of
him. During quite recent conversational
had with him at Washington, Mr.. Sumner
said that the President was the most ignO-
rant, corrupt, dishonest man living! If there
was no other choice, Mr.. Sumner would |
rather not vote at all than vote for Grant.
Ii Grant be renominated, the Republican
party will lose the influence of some of their |
most prominent and powerful members du-
ring the campaign. Take, for instance, Gen. |
Fitzpatrick. That gentleman was lately ask
ed to address Republican meeting in New
England. He replied that he would do so,
but they could not expect him to mention
in his speech the name of Grant. You know
the feeling against the President entertained
by Schurz, Trumbull, and other prominent
statesmen might mention, and with the
withdrawal Of the confidence and influence
of these men, his chances for reelection
will not be very good. If Gen. Thomas had
lived, he would have been the man. Gen.
Sherman is honest, and think would make
a good President.