Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-05-14
Presidential SpeculatiOns.

self-complacency. Mr.. Halstead, Influenced
perhaps to some extent by his first name
is among journalists what Murat was among
Napoleon's Marshals-a bold and slashing
fellow lie was prominent Liberal,
and in his speech at the Schurz dinner the
other day, he said in substance that he was
about the only honest liberal left in Gin
cinnati-thc great birthplace Of the liberal
movement. OF course he can claim nc
great reputation for political sagacity but
he is likely to be pretty well informed in
reference to political schemes on foot.
lie was interviewed the other day on the
subject of candidates and chances for the next
national election, and his talk makes tolera-
bly, lively reading. We copy the main por-
ton Of it
Reporter-What are the chances of this
election
Mr.. Halstead-They are in favor of the
Democracy as the case stands. \ change in
the situation is not, however, impossible or
even improbable.
Reporter-Suppose the Republican Con
vention should come out fatty against
the third term, would that change the case
Mr., IIalstead-It would strengthen the
party decidedly, though would not say it
would give assurance Of victory.
Reporter-Grant thinks they have not
stood by him sufficiently.
Mr.. Halstead-That is no doabt the
trouble with the party from White House
point of view He holds the same doctrine
now that he did four years ago-that hi~ ac-
ceptance of the Presidency was a sacrifice ;
that he is the only man that can be elected
by the Republican party to the Office that
il he is not nominated for a third term the
Democratic candidate viii, as matter Of
course, be elected, and he feels proiigious
sense OF duty to stand by his country.
Reporter-That Is rather satirical, M.
llalstead.
Mr. IIalstead-On the contrary, he entire
ly means it. He is certain that ifhe is not
nominated the Democrats will sweep the
whole country. and if he Is nominated the
power of his name will again be felt
throughout the and-that he will carry the
country again. He is quiet as confident Of
it as he was of being elected for the second
term, and would if he were nominated en-
ter the coming campaign with the same as
surance that he took the field against
Greeley. And am not sure but his COM
rlacency in holding to that opinion is hay
Ing some influence upon those who are
about him. He has had such run of good
fortune in the last fourteen years that moth
ing seems to him impossible. lie believes
in his star.
Reporter-Do You think it possible Tor
Grant to be elected for the third term
Mr. Halstead-No; | think it impossible
Reporter General Grant should
write a letter renouncing the third term,
what would be the effect of that
Mr. Ialstead-lt would have the same
favorable effect Ii would take the third
term question ont Of the way it would
destroy the big plank upon which Old
! Bill Allen intends to walk into a rc-c,ec-
tion and perhaps to the Presidency bat
Gen. Grant will do no such thing.
Reporter But suppose his most init
mate party friend4 like Senator Frelinghuy-
sen. Senator Conkling, Matt Carpenter. Ben
| Butler, and Parson Newman, should insist
upon his making such a renunciation?
/ Mr.. Halstead- he would not do il :,
they will probably not insist upon it, be-
cause they are all afraid of him. They
have hattered him until they begin them
| selves to believe he Is alarming. If they
did pluck up courage to put the question,
| | think be would refuse to give TO them
a satisfactory answer. His position is quite
clear.
Reporter-Doe- Gen. Grant think he has
any political strength yet in the country?
Mr.. Halstead-IIe has no doubt Of it.
1t is hi, Judgment that all the disasters
that have oyertaSen the Republican party
have happened because the party have not
given such attention 10 his directions aS
would he becoming in hi, -ubordinateS
he thinks it Is a lack of discipline in the
political army that he commands. You
know his party Is his army and MS Cabi-
net i his staff
Reporter-Do you think it possible for
him to be nominated by any Republican Ma
tional Convention
Mr. Halstead-I think that if he should
command his delegations to come up from
the South, As he Is expected to do, 50 as to
make strong show in the Convention and
so that with the aid Of the Northern Office
holders there should be a serious effort to
]
up
Reporter would be the straight
Republican candidate ii there should be
e-Washburne, Morton ,Conkliug, Wilson,
Blaine?
Mr.. Halstead-Yoa have not named the
man.
Reporter-Ca you name him?
Mr.. llalstead-l can state the fact that
inside Administration circles two names are
under discussion.
Reporter-Who are the men
Mr. Halstead - Secretary Bri~tow, of
Kentucky and Chief Justice Waite, Of
Ohio.
Reporter-W has the preference?
Mr.. Halstead-lt is too early to deter
mine that There are quiet, hard workers
for both.
Reporter-Has Waite many friend, in
Ohio?
Mr.. Halstead-Yes. lie has those mega
tive qualities that are highly estimated
when politicians are looking for somebody
against whom it would be difficult to frame
an indictment. 1t would interest the Sun to
know that ). Romeo Reed, the wickede>t ol
the wicked partners Of Deacon Bichard
Smith. the truly good man of Cincinnati, is
one of the most intimate and labori0us OF
the friends OF the Chief Justice
Reporter Has Bristow workers in tic
West?
Mr.. Halstead- -Bristow has greater strength
than Waite His friends are saving him
They think 50 much of him that they do not
want him talked about. They propose TO
lead him upon the track with a coat glossy
as a silk handkerchief, as they say of 4
thoroughbred race horse. His location as
well as his record is in his favor. If moth
ing better can he done for him, we might
give him the second place on the adams
ticket.
Reporter-Wou it not be regarded a. an
objection that Charles francis Adams is too
old?
Mr.. Ilalstead-No; there is no instance Of
member of the Adams family in good
standing dying before he was eighty. There
is room enough for three terms vet fol
Charles Francis Adams. lie is tough Is
whalebone and then there Is a suggestion
that il something should occur that il
would not do to nominate Mr.. Adams-if
owing to some of those family traits some
times prominent, he should obstinately re-
fuse TO be a candidate for the Presidency
under the possible conditions, and to take
A third term for the Adams family. it ha;
been Whispered even that the gentleman
who presided at the Schurz dinner the
other night would make Il good candidate
Reporter-YOu mean Mr.. E7arts?
Mr.. Halstead-C Certainly; | think there
was whisper of that.
Reporter-Would Mr.. Evarts be strong
candidate in Ohio?
Mr.. IIalstead-Yes as against any com
mon politician he would. The people oI
| Ohio. since the Cincinnati convention
wasted its opportunity in celebrating reso
lutions, have pretty general conviction
that the only plank of a platform that Is o
much consequence in national politics Is th'
character OF the candidate and character
for purity in public affairs in the essentia