Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-08-26


rau politician Francis F. Blair, now living in
his old age at Silver Spring. near Washington,
has lately been interviewed i,y correspondent
OF the New York Herald and hi remarks are
reported is follows:
Il know ,llat shortly ;iIcl Mr.. Eincoln' re
election The sui Jet vi third term was quiet
Is talked over among his most lntiuIatc friends.
Mrs. Lincoln rciished the idea, spoke Of it fire.
uucutly 10 those she thought she could conhdc
10, and Mr.. Lincoln himself was pleased at the
suggestion. Perhaps it had reasonable basis
in his cas-: tut we will see. The first term Of
office had been the most trying President ever
endured His second term, to which he was
assigned in Tie November election ni 1861,
promised but liile rest. The war was nearly
over, and the tSorgan!zed seeded States had
10 be fitted again INTO the ronlcderatipu-l
mean the federal Union. The suggestion of a
third term calue happily to Mr. Lincoln, who
hoped to enjoy the last four years, with the
peaceful houurs Of his predecessors to crown
his retirement to private life. There was some
thing more Mr.. Imrpln's ambition was, to
see il he could not execute the duties OF his
Office without the aid Of Mr. Seward or Mr.
Staulul They cngro,>cd all the authority,
dictated What should br du"c Though Mr. Llu-
coin oniy Regarded their views as far a. he
thought pruper). aHd, III fact. constituted them
selves the executors OF the government. 1t be-
came Il serious question, you must know, with
Mr. Lincoln whether the stability Of the Amer-
can government actually depended upon these
two men, aud he wanted to test that point He
thought ii nation that could stand the vigorous
onslaught Ut hall her people, survive the blow
and resume her wonttd tranquility, WAS not
wholly d~pcndcht uu Tic heads Of the State
aud the War Department. and ii was Mr. Iu.
coin purpose to eliminate them and call about
him advisers, and not dictaturs That was Mr..
LlucUln situation. Grant Is ust the oppo-
site, aud there, perhaps, Is the danger your
people III New \ Ork have apprchcndcd de-
clare the subject Is more Important than at
first supposed Perhaps there is danger 10 the
ambition of 4 mau who thinks he has become ii
Necessity, and that is what bcgiu to under.
stand is the object Of the discussion. Is it? So
long as the people are Immersed in business
and arr coutcut with the course Of things they
will yet used to most any cncroachucGt on our
civil rights Ii is 50 long since the democracy
had L voice IN the administration Of affairs that
do not wonder H., enemies sometimes say it
is dead What is there to give life to ii party
II ii depends upon money and Office holders, or
greed for gain aud power? 1t takes cxpccta-
rlou to make excitement. to arouse the nlasscs
to united ctiort. A. J. ;oId you in the first part
ul' our conversations | nave great confidence in
the restoration uf tho old democratic principles
| thiuk | see evidences IF dissatisfaction crop.
ping out in the republican party that is fatal to
i third term FOR Grant, if his party is rash
enough to put him again in no,ninltiOn. There
arc thousands quite is ANXIOUS to hold Office
as tllysv n'w prnvic,! for aul that is an
element of w"akncSs IL a:'y party long in
power There viii cc:t:,inly be anlayunisul
S"lll.hucss Is superior to patriotism, and
though the Greeley MoYplncut did hot succeed,
within the next three years there will &c such
falling off Irum The Republican ranks as to
make the defeat OF that party certain. Grant
will have no inducements to hold uut for his re-
election. Those in Office will expect to be re-
tanned, and il there Is not cbough vitality in the
fortunate officials to exact that promise, then,
iudccd may IL IL" said, our country Is governed
by QUO man. But have crnideuce in the
people more than in til, politicians
Under the example Of Washington and the
custom of years past, when President was re-
elected, aSpirant> for the office began their
right Of >ccu Imy the next EUmEalon, 30 GER
tain wa, it that with the second term the in
cuulbcnt would 90 out of Office. And suppose
tina. is what has >tart.d III. cry of third term
for Grant.