New-York tribune., 1872-01-31
PRESIDENTIAL SPFCUL4TIOES.

The perveTse ingenuity displayed In extract
ing from plain English meanings which never
inhercd therein has often excited our wonder
if not admiration. Yesterdays examples are
very striking.
The Editor of this journal was moved to dis
cuSs in Mondays issue the call of National
Convention by the sO-called Liberal Repub-
licans of Missouri. Carefully abstaining from
prophecy he elucdated the movement thus
inaugurated to the best of his ability. Now
see the twist given to that article by The
World:
1--WE conclude from remarkable article in Yesterdays
TRIBUNE evidently from its chief editor that that jour
nal despars of defeating the nomination of Gen Grant
This conclusion does not mpugn the editors political sa
gacty for most good judges hold the opinion But
why should THE TRIBUNE be in such haste TO proclaim
its intention support Gen Grant il he should be the
Republican nomineef THE TRIBUNE declares that. in
the event of Grants nomination. not going with the
bolters but will support the regular Republican ticket
Now we had given no warrant for this de-
duction. What we did say was to this effect:
If the Presidential canvass just ahead should
take the shape of fight for Free Trade
against Protection (and this is intimated in
the Missouri prOgramme), The TRIBUNE
would of course be found battling for Protec-
ton. How can any one be qualified to write
for a metropolitan journal who did mot know
this without being expressly told itf
The Times distills from our article aforesaid
the following:
"For Mr. Greeley to make msstatements which are
sure to be exposed for the purpose Of frightening the
Administration into taking the running OF the Grant
machine OF the hands of COnkling Co.. with the
plain inference that 1t must he given to FenOn, Greeley
nnfo iHad hlnp Ruf upifh 10
II an honorable thing Mr.. Greeley has made secret
of the fact that his vocferous complaints about the New
York Cusomhouse based the failure to give the
FentOn clique the patronage they sought Here is now
very plain confession that similar grudge sways his
course the Presidential nomination. 1t Is not pleas
ant sight 10 see man like Horace Greeley putting up
his bMdearned influence be bid for. with iniima-
ton that proposition 10 give the control OF political
machine Ia the corrupt Fenton crew would pur-
chase It,"
This misrepresentation impels us to state
the fact that The TRIBUNE has never yet
favored the denomination Of any President,
will certainly not begin this year. and all the
offices IN the Union cannot be so dispensed as
to affect this determination. The Editor has
never favored the denomination of Presi-
dent during his forty years of manhood, and
placed on record more than thirty years ago
reasons for his adhesion to the One-Term
principle, which seemed then, and still seem,
TO him conclusive. He has once sup
ported President for reelection, and
may do 50 again; for he does not
exalt the Onc-Torm principle above every
other consideration; but he not only believes
in it himself but has good reason for his faith
that Gen. Grant gave his assent to il less
than four years ago. He is well assured that
the editorials in successive issues of The
Washington Chronicle wherein this principle
was fOrcibly commended were published with
his knowledge and tacit if not express ap-
prOval.
But we further object to the denomination of
Gen. Grant that he is manifestly weak can
didate. there being very many Republicans
who will oppose him il renominated. That it