The Hickman courier., 1872-03-30
Wendell Phillips On Grant.
The Great AgItatOr'S Opinion OF
Ihe Great GI1I-Taker.
what Sumner Thinks OF Grant.

From the Reading Eagle, March 6.
One of the reporters of the Eagle
called upon Wendell Phillips while that
gentleman was in the city few days ago
and interviewed him respecting the sit
uation." The Eagle reporter was duly
introduced as such, when, after few
general remarks, the following colloquy
occurred
Q-Mr Phillips, 90 you intend to
take an active part in the coming Presi-
dental campaign?
Al shall take an active part if l
have time.
Q-I understand you are an anti
Grant man?
Al do not recollect that I ever said
that was an anti Grant Republican.
have not as yet publicly declared myself
as such.
Q-What is your opinion Of Grants
chances for denomination
A,-W ell, If you had asked me that
question six weeks ago, l would have said
that his chances were decidedly good
but since then revulsion has taken
place, and powerful movement has com
meDced against him.
OFF nominated, what, in your opin
ion, will be Grants chances for re eiec
ton ?
Aft the Democrats should select a
good man, one that can control to any
considerable extent the soldier element,
it is quite possible Grant will not be
elected-he would, think, stand a poor
chance
Q-Would not the power necessarily
derived through his appointments be in
fiuence nearly sufficient to elect him?
A.-Yes, it would 90 a great way, and
10 that respect he would have an advant-
age over his opponent. But alone it
would not elect him.
Q-Has Grant much strength in the
West?
A.-The Western people have no af-
fiction for him, and there is not the least
enthusiasm in his favor anywhere in the
/ West. Some of his warmest admirers
and most eloquent advocates during the
last campaign are now silent; they have
not word to say in his behalf. The
most prominent members of the Post
the Grand Army of the Republic-whO
heretofore pressed his claims so warmly,
are not making any exertions IN his ia
vor. Recently, while on visit to the
West, in the vicinity of Grants former
home, Iasked friend of mine, at @h Sc
house | was stopping, what the people
there thought of thea President, and he
replied that they haded 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 vet whisky bills standing against
him-the scores not having been wiped
out
Q.-What kind of statesman is
Gen. Grant?
Ale is no statesman whatever. lie
has good military education, and out
side of military affairs he knows nothing,
and has apparently not concerned him
self about any State matters, excepting
the San Domingo affair. In conversa-
with him on one occasion he spoke upon
the San Domingo question over an hour
with such great earnestness and rapidity
that could not get in word. | was
amused. When pause occurred, | en-
deavofed to reason with him, but he had
nothing further to say on the subject. Il
appeared as if he hadS said all he could
aud L concluded that what he had sait
was set speech-that he had merely re
peated what he had previously committed
to memory. Grants chief concern ap
pears to be money making.
Q-Do you think he makes money il
corrupt way?
Al shouldn't like to saw that. bu
he has managed TO make some seven OF
eight hundred thousand dollars during
his administration, and he thinks he ha.
not enough yet. A friend of mine re-
siding IN New York, who was until very
recently very warm admirer of Gen
Grant, stalled to me that during a conver
satlon with him, the President had dis
gusted him by remarking that he did no
think his (Grant's) friends had yet suf
heientlY rewarded him for the service.
he had made--the remark, as my frienC
TOOK 1t, being strong hint for mor'
presents.
Q-Would Grant receive much pecu
mary benefit by the purchase by th'
United States of the Island of Sau Do
miDgo?
Ale himself, directly, would not
but bis friends, the Ring, would make ;