The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-07
THE PRESIDENTIAL SPHINX


for the Opinion That he Is Preparing
to Withdraw from the Field In
1s76-A New Standard Bearer
for the Republican Party.
WASHINGTON, March 4, 1874.
Is General Grant a candidate for another Presi-
dental termS Is ne the iavorite OF the rank or
file Of the republican party for the Presidential
successions viii he some new man be the
republican standard bearer in 1892 and II some
new man, will the party be able to carry the coun-
trys The day OF the month forcibly recalls these
questions and invites US to their consideration.
1t is the 4th OF March. This day, one brief year
ago. we had the memorable event OF President
Grants second inauguration The day was made
memorable, first, as the coolest day Of the winter
and the coolest and windiest 4th Of March ever
known In Washington; second, from the unusual
numbers OF military and civic societies gathered
here from all sections OF the Union, but mainly as
establishing General Grant and the republican
party for four years more in power, and without
danger of any serious opposition in the contest for
the Presidential succession. A year has passed.
The 4th OF March is again upon us, bright. warm
and balmy as morning in June; but politically it
is overcast, and bafling and changeabe winds in
dictate gathering disturbance OF the elements
that may end in q hurricane. 1t is no longer con-
sldered certain that the republican party will win
THE BATTLE FOR THE NEXT PRESIDENCY.
II Is not certain that General Grant will be nom-
mated for another term the republican candidate.
1t Is not known that he aspres to desires another
term. The republican leaders VINO expect to
persede him have their msglvings touching his
designs; the republican Oflce- holders who wish
his continuance in ONCE for their own projection
rest their hopes upon his commanding popularity.
I1tr thar F
than differences and conjectures to support their
opinions. Upon the main question on this con.
trOversy, SIS General Grant looking forward for
another Presidential term ~ much may be said in
support OF the opinion that, while he would accept
q nomination for another term from the Republican
National Convention, he is not engineering for
other term, and will not depart from the even
tenor Of his way to secure it.
WISDOM OF CHANTS RET1CENCE
1t Will be remembered that during the last sum-
mer he was approached by various parties upon
this subject, and shat the only expression that
could be ELECTED from him in the matter was
nomipatton when 1t was offered him; and that 1t
would be folly to decline 1t in advance" He
reanzes Inc ssrengta OF ms POSITION IN noiahg ID
were distinctly understood now that he Is not, and
Will not, be candidate for another term the in
trlgues OF rival candidates and cqueS OF the fepub
lican camp for the Presidential succession would
speedily involve the President in their squabbles
they would Keep him Constantly in hot
water. Now, while General Grant holds in
domination for spotner term he holds all the
Presidential asprants OF the republican party we'll
in hand and continues the recognized master OF
the situation. Jackson maintained the same p0-
sltion after procaiming himself out Of the contest
Tor third term, IN bringing forward Van Buren, rs
sensible or the TACT that he could not safely under
take TO follow the example OF Jackson, and he has
low, however, that in declining to decline another
denomination in advance OF the appointed time
he is candidate for another term. On the con-
trary, from the character or the man and his acts
and from certain facts and circumstances, it may
be fairly assumed that General Grant is preparing
to retire from the White House at the expiration
Of his present term OF office.
ROBUST SPHINX IN THE WHITE HOUSE,
To the politicians General Grant Is a riddle, a !
sphinx. a my stery which they cannot solve. Yet
the only mystery about MIN Is that simplicity and
Of WHICH, in the honest Dr.
to the shrewdest professional diplomats OF Europe
condition. He looks robust, strong, self-possessed
and the most cOntented man in Washington. With
the recommendations OF his annual Message to
mind all the cares of State. The responsibilities
involved are with Congress, and there he
Ucs he them gives ms Si tts peuSe
the claims Of this Clique that clique
consequences of his rejection or confirmation. He
likes the soldier: he likes the returning Conieder-
ate solder, MOsby. for instance. He mas gener-
people oil the South. He desires to fulfil his Obilga-
tons the republican party; he desires to act IN
is resolved to get on as quietly as possible and he
Will not be troubled with their family jars ii he
PRESIDENT GRANTS HABITS.
He enjoys life and the relaxation from the duties
of his ONCE He likes jaunt on short notice to
He likes concert, a bali or a wedding, an agri-
cultural fair or meeting OF the Geographical So
though as reticent as an oracle. He receives his
friends with the unpretending c0rdiatry OF gran
ger He enjoys good dinner and his Cigar is his con.
his appointed work with strict devotion
to business. but does not care to work in hurry.
blacks or his gllsJening bays, fourth hanG, with
the calm enjoy ment and self-possesson OF an old
stager from the Sierra Nevada. From small be-
ginnings, by good management ne has become
thrifty and prosperous man in the first duty Of
providing for a rainy day. The whole bent OF his
mind Is evidently directed, not TO the party tao
tics and strategy required for third term, but
to the solid comforts OF private lie. He is not
politician; his habits and nclinat!Ops in diff
ferent channel. He evidently does not regard the
official drudgeries Of the White House more de-
srabe than the substantial liberties OF the private
station. He likes Washington, and is building
himself here comfortable house, to which, "they
present term. He says nothing, but Is as d'li.
question were settled.
THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE IN 1876
Tne republican chiefs In Congress appear to
entertain hardly DOUBT that General Grant Will
be out Of the field in 1876. They expect still to
maintain the ideality OF the administration with
the party; they expect the ONCE holders anu all
the retainers OF the administration to support the
republican ticket IN 1916. They say that the re-
publican standard bearer in that campaign Will be
new man, but tnat he win represent the princi-
pies and measures OF the administration as the
party PLATFORM This may or may not prove true
prophecy, but from all the facts before and all
the signs OF the times General Grant will be out of
the field in 1875 and New York may furnish his
successor 1t is only upon this theory and the
understanding, II you please, between the high
contracting parties, that we can account, on tine
one hand, for the general desire OF the Iepubli-
can leaders In Congress to MAINTAIN The