New-York tribune., 1875-12-06
THE PRESIDENTS OPPORTUNITY.

President Grant has hitherto been repre-
sented as seeking reelection. By men who
claim to know moro than anybody else of his
purposes, he Is even now placed in this posi-
ton before the country, notwithstanding his
letter to the President of the Pennsylvania
Republican Convention. His own reputation
and the public welfare will be immeasuably
promoted by declaration in his forthcoming
Message SO emphatic that 10 person shall
thereafter be able to pretend that he desires
or will accept denomination.
He surely knows that enemies of the national
honor, since their recent defeat, have made
especial efforts to convince themselves ana
others that he was determined to force his
denomination. They know that he cannot he
elected. They believe that against him even
an inhationist can succeed, because OF the
strong opposition to the reelection of any Presl-
dent for third term and because many indie
pendent voters and many hard-money Repub-
licans would oppose his reelection. Those VINO
wish sound currency cannot be united I'D
support of President Grant. Nlany OF them
would prefer to defend the national honor
by the election of trustworthy members OF
Congress, leaving an inhationist to be elected
believe, would be inevitable, and if Repub-
lican Congress should at the same time be
elected. that defeat would not be creditahle
termination Of a career thus far peculiarly
Fortunate Doubtless there are men who
assure the President that he can be elected.
We ask him to consider how many of them
are mere schemers, who believe that he VIII
fail to be nominated. and who desire his inn-
ence for themselves There are other, who
see that they cannot win the prize, and want
him nominated, though they know he
would be beaten, in order to prevent
the success of hated rivals. Others encour
age him because they have 10 hope
of political existence hereafter unless he sue
ceeds. Many of them hold Office, especially ut
the South They arc drowning and catch at
Straws. Has not President Grant done enough
for these men, that they now ask him to give
them one more chance at the cost OF DIS
creditable aud almost inevitable defeat!
few Journals, stimulated by Government ad-
vertiSing, promise him success. But does not
the President see that nearly oil the journals
which represent Republican opinion echo the
warning of Republican Conventions in New
York and Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts,,
and Wisconsin, The men who elected him in
1872 are those who now admoniSh. him to
retire
We have not supported the President, but
have no wish to see his name furnished The
honor Of the nation is dear to us, and against
him we believe that even an avowed repudi-
ationist might triumph. We long to see the
Republicans free to select some candidate who
will defend the public honor and reform the
Civil Service, and who can be elected. Such
q selection by Republicans would force the
Democrats to trample imitation under foot or to
accent inevitable defeat. But while the Presi
dent is thought to be q candidate. Democrats
of the worst sort are emboldened. Against
him they believe they can elect man after
their own heart. We do not believe that
the President who defended the nations
FLAG so well. wishes to be used a.
tool by those who Hssail the nations honor.
Yet he is thus used as long as inlationi,s are
permitted to hope that he will bc the Repub-
lican candidate Duty. TO his country calls
upon the President to take his name out of
the way. Jn justice to his own reputation lie
should not he represented any longer as seek
ing to force himself upon party which has
declared against IA third term. few dign-
fed words in his forthcoming Message would
do more for the country and more for him
self than he has had opportunity to do by any
act since the surrender at Appomattox. II lac
considers the motives of those Hho advise him
not to withdraw, or realizes that if his nomina-
ton could be forced it would surely be fol-
lowed by defeat, he will not hesitate TO follow
the example Of Washington.
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