New-York tribune., 1874-11-10
WILSON ON THE ELECTION.
THE THIRD TERN QUESTION SETTLED FOR
A HUNDRED YEARS.


MANENT ONE-NETHER PARTY IN LOUISIANA
ENTITLED TO THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
SETS NOT GONE OVER TO THE DEMOCRACY.
TRIBUNE reporter called upon Vice-President
Wilson, at the Grand Central Hotel. yesterday, to
OBTAIN some expression Of his opinion upon the re-
suits of the elections last week The hale appear
ance and elastic step Of Mr. Wilson. and the vigor
ous emphasis of gesture with which he accompanied
his language when he spoke with fervor, confirmed
his assurance Of the restoration of his health which
was so long seriously impaired. At the outset Mr..
Wilson expressed q little reluctance to state
his opinions, because he hestated to bring
bis name too often before the public
in connection with utterances upon politics.
lie said that when he had spoken he had been some
times misrepresented and found fault with. Recent
misrepresentation required some explanation from
him. 1t had been said that he had talked with
President Grant about third term, while the fact
was That he had never spoken with the President
upon that subject in his life. He had been repre-
sented as crticising the administration of Collector
Summons in Boston, and asserting that it had brought
disaster to the Republican party in Massachusetts,,
and expressing the opinion that Mr. Simmons was
unit for the Office he held The truth of the matter
was that he had not cast blame upon the Collectors
administration, and had only spoken of the circum
stances of his appointment and the consequences of
preface Mr.. Wilson, in reply to questions, made the
following statements of his sentiments concerning
the recent elections:
CAUSES OF TIE POLITICAL REVOLUTION.
He said that he did consider that the result Of the
elections Indicated thorough or permanent revolution
In public opinion that this result forehadowed the
conclusion OF the Presidential campaign. But the
Republican party, to regain what 1t has lost he said,
must adopt wise, liberal, and ngh-toned policy, must
NJ sxpth al ha
secure aud it must be careful not to ALLEVIATE good
men from tho party. Above ALL 1t must put the best
men forward That is the only policy for party TO
pursue; In that way alone can 1t be kept at high
Standard and gain and retain success Earnest efforts
should be made to win back 10 the party the
good men who had left it, Mr. Wilson had always re-
greted the loss Of many of the who went with the
Cincinnati movement In 1872. Some who Joined that
movement had interested motives undoubtedly, but
there others whose motives were the purest and
highest The loss Of the cooperation OF man like Sum-
and paper like TIE TRIBUNE had always been de-
plored By him. and he used all his own best efforts to
prevent the from the party which took place
On the side he urged the who were leaving the
party not to and the other hand he mpored the
leaders OF the party to do nothing to drive these men
The result of the elections shows the necessity
said he, of liberal and magnanimous policy. 1t shows
that Republican leaders must be statesmen. The need
Of the time Is craftsmanship With proper policy and
with the OF the party at the front. think
said Mr. Wilson. that the Republicans two
carry every Of the old free States and Of tho
old slaves States 1t probable that the Republican
party will be strengthened and helped by the policy
which the Democrats will after their accession to
power. The history OF the Democratic party for tho
last twenty wears has been series Of bunders 1t has
hardly drawn a breath la that time which was not
blunder. The Republicans have controlled Congress for
sixteen successive years. longer time than any party
has mad the control since 1929. The Democrats will find
it no easy task to conduct ars to the satisfaction OF
the country, much harder labor than to find fault
with Republican methods of administration. I find no
reason to think that their will contrast avorably
with that OF the Republicans. do not know what
financial policy they will pursue Ibu the Of hard
money does not appear to have gained In these
elections. People wanting work have been prone to at
tribute their troubles to contraction Congressman
Kelley and others asserted, and Pennsylvania for
instance seems to have become paper-money State.
For several months we have seen the causes working
which brought about the Republican defeat OF last week
and long ago would have been willing TO compromise
on a majority Of ten the House Of representatives
the the elections and tho day before the cleo
tons expressed the belief that they would against
u.s. This country has grown great that a movement
once started increases swiftly in power and volume,
and sweeps with rush. The current may set In
either direction. and In which ever way IL advances 1t
gathers strength and expands till carries all before it,
II the States which went Democratic Tuesday had
been change in the current and they might have been
carried easily by the Republicans this year Look at
Wisconsin Last year 1t went over to the opposition
This year 1t back. Iowas case Is not
unlike. Last year the Republican majority
was cut down. This year 1t Is increased. The
current OF Tuesday was not permanent revolution
The Of the opposition was due to tens Of thou
sands OF Republicans who either did no. vote or who
voted against US, because they felt inclined TO give
check tendencies aud some things In the party
II the warning is needed aud the Republican party
adopts prudent liberal, and lofty course 1t will sweep
the country agaiu Among the causes OF Tuesdays de-
feat was the dissatisfaction among the unemployed,
who had lost work from the effects OF the panic, and
who were restless and wanted change. Another cause
was the burden which tue Louisiana matter has been to
the Republican party don't think that either party
in Louisiana was right or entitled to the Government
I'll not assert whether there should have been new
election OF not, or what the right course
to take but there Is no doubt that the
matter has been very heavy burden to the
party. Another canse OF defeat was the third
term question: which had far more to do with the result
of the elections than good many people suppose The
opposition the third term suggestion came from two
sources There Is host OF thinking men IN the country
who are willing 90 out OF the safe way approved
by their fathers IN this matter. The third term Is
perilous experiment and these men you'd vigorously
oppose the election OF any man TO tnlrd term Iney
the states and in none of the old free States could
third term candidate carry majority he might cahr
few OF the old slave States but I'm not certain OF that
TIE yICE-PRgsIpENr's THIRD TERM VIEWS.
The Vice. President then, with deep feeling aud most
decided emphasis asserted his own position upon the
third term question In the following words: "For my
part would oppose with all my strength the election
Of any to third term. were he the best who ever
lived this country except 10 the face OF peril 70 he
country great and threatening that would be willing
to advocate to avert plain aud direct violation OF
the Consutution-a vioiaton & tnas @ Snp M thar W MANS