New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-08
GRANTS FIRST TERM.

DID HE WANT THE OFFICE IN 1861
xrMINlscrNCrs or THE cAMPNGN-coI- FoRNEYs
INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT AND THE
RESULT
fethe Edttor o. RE Tribune
SIR: The President seems anxious to disprove q
report which has gained currency through the press
since the publication of his third term letter. regard
ing his aspirations for the first Presidential term
He saws that he does set want the third term any
more than he did the first and second terms while 1t
has been alleged that he willing to accept the
nomination of either the Democratic or Republican
Conventions for the Presidency the first time,
although he preferred the support of the Republicans,
a. they were more likely to be successful.
Insupport of this assertion has been published that
the Hon. Montgomery Blair named him early IN apub-
lie speech the best possible candidate for the Demo
cratic party and inspired a number OF edltoriai
articles in The National Iaiellinccr and New YORK.
World which demonstrated his party fealty ana
personal fitness At that time was connected with
The Dqy Chronicle of this city. and wrote its leading
editorials from January s67, up to the Presidential
elect;on Of s6s and was engaged for the first year
in attempting 10 remove the popular impression that
Gen. Grant was a Democrat. and in bringing him
out AZ the Republican candidate by showing that he
was a good Republican
Gen Grant himself was unpronOunced lie said
nothing upon politics i'll public way so that his
views upon public questions might be understood
Harper's Weekly published picture OF HIM In june
or July. 1867 as " The sphinx and protested the
profoundrst ignorance of his political sentiments.
Grant had realized by this time his eligibility for the
highest civil office and his military family of which
Gen Rawlins was the chief. was very anxious he
should secure IT, and they were not very particular
by which road he went. although Mr. Blair says
that Rawlins would have preferred that he should
have been elected As a Democrat.
During the year 1867 Col FOrney in Europe.
but his paper The Daily Chronicle, was still recog-
nized az "A sound Republican authority. HIS impress
sons when he left this country favorable to the
nomination of Mr.. Wade for the Presidency but
his instructions were not to commit his paper to
the personal fortunes of any candidate. 1t very soon
became evident to me that the Democrats would
avail themselves of Gen. Grants military prestige
with the people, if the Republicans did not and di-
rected my efforts to neutraizmg the efforts OF Inc
IpteIIigeuccr and Wo~ld in making him acceptable TO
the Democrats.
Mr.. Blars views upon the subject were publicly an
nounced and privately urged, and he was so well
satisfied with Gen. Grants Democracy that he ap-
proved in speaking to many of tho leaders of that
party. He was in frequent intercourse with Gen.
Grant and that gentleman knew very well what
Mr. clair was about and gave il his quiet acquies-
allowed it to 20 On-neyer dIscOuntenanced
it, or expressed his o. eciOns 10 it, lie kept up his
friendly relations with the King-maker, and thereby
gave the world reason to believe that Mr. Blair spoke
by authority.
At the same time availed myself of such opportu-
mites Of intercourse my visits to Washington per-
mitted with Gems. Grant. Rawns, Parker Dent, and
others his military family and drew forth occasional
utterances from the chief which showed his synpa-
thy with the Republicans. 1 answered editorally
in The Chronicle the articles of The Uorld and IRtc
cenoer and claimed Grant a true Republican, set
ting forth his views of the reconstruction measures
and the Fourteenth Amendment by Grants own
authority ~ we'll az his financial idea that the
growth of the country would pay the principal
of the National debt if we only paid the
interest" aud his support of the one term
amendment to the Constitution. Gen. Grant also
suggested the abolition of the Office of Nce-Presi-
dent as q dangerous Office and practically useless.
Gen RawIins was communicative than Grant,
and had no hesitation in expressing his views
and wishes for the election of his chief to the Pres
dency. IIo furnished important data to prove
Grants Repubcansm when it became necessary
that he should so appear. Beyond all ques-
ton. these early Outgivings from the ac-
credited Republican organ in Washington
served to break up the Democratic programme,
for they were accepted by the Republican press Of
the county as authoritative if not official although
Harpey's Sphinx" appeared month after The
Chronicles first editorial appeared headed Oenerai
Grants Position" planting him squarely and spe-
officially upon the Republican platform.
But il was not until Col. Forney's return from
Europe that the public fully accepted Grants Re-
pubIicanism AZ q fact. He had not known the Cen
eral but Expressed his pleasure at the attitude
bad taken. and desired to be introduced to him.
went with Col. Fomey 10 Con. Grants Office, and
there introduced them to each other and the result
was Col Forney's fve-column dOuble-leaded leader
in both The Chronicle and Press. procaiming Grant
as the only man for the Republican candidate for
President. The effect of that article was to settle
all doubts about his party fealty, for Col Forney,
speaking from Washington, was believed to know
the truth whereof be spoke.
Gen Grant did not ask anybody to write him
up but he did MT object to IT, He knew these
editors sought Kim editors, and wrote as Repubh-
cans to make him their party candidate. lie was
cautious IN his utteranceS bat said enough TO satisfy
and knew the Use that made of it, for he took
The Daily Chronicle. and what is more read 1t, or
said he did Perhaps he dId not want the office, but
this looks like il. JosEPH J. STEWART.
Washington, u. c.. June I, 1870