The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-20
SARATOGA STAYENMANSHIP---NO. 3
The Question Of CaSariSm Still the all
Absorbing Topic Among Politicians.
,REVERDY JOHNS0N'S VIEWS.
General Grants Avarice and
Ambition.
Tho denomination for Third Term Posi-
ble-A Reelection improbable.
The Dangers Of the Political
Situation.
JeaIousies of Republicans to
0utWit GrantiSm.
"A New York Editor-P Politician Speaks
His Mind.
The Work of the Democracy in
The Dangers Of the Political
Situation.
+Jealousies Of Republicans to
0utWit GrantiSm.
"A New York Editor Politician Speaks
His Mind.
The Work of the Democracy in
the Future.

SARATOGA, August 10, 1878.
Reverdy Johnson, our former Minister to Eng
land, arrived here a few days ago and Is stopping
at the Grand Union. Mr.. Johnson's on1ciai rela.
rtions with the administration OF President Andy
johnson were such, we all know, as to have
placed him among the foremost men OF our day;
and although he Is not at present in any way &C
tive In the political strivngs OF his party for power
and influence, he still keeps a good lookout
ahead and lis always sought for for his counsels in
emergencies by eminent men OF the party, who
know from experience that 1t is well to look before
you leap. had never had the good fortune to
meet Mr.. Johnson previous to to-day, and before
sending In my card to him I was informed
by personal friend OF his that newspaper
correspondents were his horror by day
and his nightmare by night Under the
circumstances felt rather dif1ident when the
want returned and told me that Mr.. johnson would
be very happy to see me. The weather was misera-
BILE and the rain pouring down in torrents as
made my way from my eyrie over the ball room, at
the extreme end of the green, between the wings
OF the hotel. to the rear piazza OF the main build.
ing. My impression OF Mr.. Johnson from all had
heard Of him was that he was decrepid old man,
rheumatic and equity ALTERING in step and weak of
voice, and was not little surprised therefore,
when, instead Of being ushered by the servant into
a room with bright fire burning and an invalid in
Chair as the central figure of the apartment, l
found the object OF my search, 1t is true white.
haired gentleman but for all that stout and hearty
looking, seated quietly chatting with few friends
on the stoop, partially exposed to the rain. 1t did
not take me long to get acquainted, as the world
has 1t, wi tn MIR. Johnson. found him to be
ONE OF THE YOUNGEST OLD MEN
had ever met with in all my newspaper ex-
perience; genial, whole souled gentleman OF the
Olden time, yet alive to the interests of the present
a n w no aoua nfv-co Of
have, while whitening his hair and bending his
frame, infused into him spirit Of youth and life
and mental vigor that, to me at least, appeared
miraculous. Our conversation opened with Q
general reference TO the ordinary topics Of the day,
and ior over an hour afterward was entertained
IN the most agreeable manner possible with anec-
dotes about the prominent statesmen of the long
gone by, the times in our political experience
and about the leading men abroad with
whom Mr.. Johnson had come o1iciay in contact.
"Mr. Johnson said to him finally, ~ am
anxious to know just what you think about this
subject of Casarism, which the HERALD has given
such prominence to lately"
''Wel Sir" said the genial old gentleman, as he
settled himself down into his chair comfortably 81
have my own opinion about the subject. In the
first place, think the HERALD has done q great
deal OF good In agitating
THE QUESTION OF A THIRD TERN
rs It has will frankly confess, however that l
some time ago agreed with several of my friends
that in starting this discussion the HERALD had a
sinister object in view, which was to further the
chances OF General Grant for q third term-in TACT,
that Mr.. Bennett started the discussion with the
hope that the republican press generally through
olt tss country would rebel against bis course"
"And with what end in view?"
"Oh, simply to sound the general sentiment OF
q nd fba urp m
was anxious to have Grant run third term, and
that its Casarism cry was all a sham. II this was
the papers policy it has been hoist by its own
petard. But must say that although many Of my
friends at first believed that the HERALD did really
desire Grants election for third term, have not
been Of that opinion since the articles on Cesarsm
have been Continued -ss-<=A~
Z lrrhsn you have read them all Sn
mo, have not read any one of the articles my
SELF You see, about thirty years ago I lost the
sight Of my left eye by the rebounding OF pistol
ball. and late years my right eye has been failing
me to such a degree that cannot read at ALL I
dictate instead OF writing my letters, and have
fhe papers read to me. Still, for all that, keep
posted as to all that IL going on and
THE HERALD's CEsARrsM ARTICLES
have certainly not escaped men
"You can give me your opinion about them,
idea itseli2n
al have nothing to conceal about the subject;
that is, l will be frank with you as 70 MY opinion
concerning the third term. will say that have
changed my opinion about the object OF the HER
ALD-or, to put 1t more justly, have come to the
conclusion that my friends have erred in believing
that the paper did not open the discussion with the
view OF putting people on their guard against the
danger of a third term"
'You are not favorable to theaahird term prnci.
pie them"
"Prlncple see no principle in the idea what
ever The idea Of putting any man into the Presi
dental chair for third term ought to he abhorrent
10 every good citizen. Why, sir, would not vote
for Washington himself for a third term II he was
living to-day.n
"whas Is your chief objection to the third term
Idea ~
There are many very weighty reasons which
could be urged against 1t. You see II we concede
third term to General Grant or any other man we
do away in u manner with what the people have
ever looked upon sort OF constitutional prohi-
bition. There is nothing, 1t is true In the constitu-
ton which prohibits third term but the ioea has
been so fred In the peoples minds against honor.
ing any man beyond second term that IL has in.
vested itself with
ALL THE FORCE OF LAW.
"Do you think General Grant would take third
denominations"
81 am positive he would and would work hard to
secure mis- election. Grant Is wonderfully fond Of
money, and 80 long as he can remain where he. is
che more easily is he able to crafty his avarice
have it from very good authority that he would
have vetoed the salarygrab bill had he been as
sured beforehand that his own salary would be In
creased; but, not getting that assurance, he was
unwilling to let slip the only chance TO have his
nav doubled. and 80 signed the hill The Presi-