New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-05

and there WAS no uso in saving anything about 1t,
and did not think il worth while 10 correct tho I'M
prcssion. This was not prudent party cannot
always any moro than army, choose its baltic
field. IT cannot prevent its opponents sometimes
from putting il in false position. The earnest
ness however with which tho question has
been pressed on the Republican party shows
plainly to any Thoughtful mind that orr opponents
believe il would materially injurc us. otherwise they
would not have pressed it. They know well that
the American people will not entertain the thought
and that there is not any considerable portion
of them who will consent to it. The universal feel
ing Of opposition 10 il il among the deep down con
vicions of or people and is recognized us general
aud inyioable principle. believe the i,lca has been
injurious to the Republican party. think II should
have been promptly me; at once and without heSlia-
ton. don't believe that one man in twenty OF tho
Republican party is or was in favor Of ii. don't
know single man in Massachusetts, who il in favor
of if. / belicve it was pressed by few men and a
few oGccAoldeIs. aud by q class of men not calcu-
lated to have great influence in the country by
their position"
81 suppose you refer more especially to tie local
politicians of New-York and some other pacesp
"Well don, know much about the politicians
Of New-York exactly, bat there has been class OF
men--somc OF them protesting TO be personal friends
of the Prcsidcnt-who have talked in this
manner, urging third term. There has
also been class Of men who reported that
the Southern States were going into Ma
tional Convention. don't believe there Is any
thing in this, and set it down as mere
runlor, nor can think that such proceeding would
occur at any future time ! doa't believe there Is a
district in the South that would elect delegate who
wonld he i'm favor OF q third term. think tho SEN
timent on this question in the Southern States ~
qnie rs sound III the North and that without any
reference 10 the man-Gencral Grant have never
been opposed TO third term on account OF the
present Executive but Look al il merely rs a general
question and Oh general principles
"Do Won think that tho Presidents letter was as
frank rs the occasion required or tho people de-
sired I"
81 .hould havc preferred with hcsitancyl TO have
seen it expressed in different language, but the
President has chosen his own mode, and - hc had
not spoken before on the subject ho WAS aHAionS 10
explain himself very fully"
"Whai do yon think of the statement that he no
more wanted a Third tenn than ho wanted the first P"
"Well. ! think that merely AN expression
hesitatinglyl. ] think from what | saw and all
heard Gen. Ora 1t behaved with great prudence ana
proprieiy in his ,piance of first term. don't
think ne took much action in reference 10 ia" cam
paign OF - He felt that he had incurred great
deal Of opposition, and there was a class OF men
strongly AGAINST him, he felt thai he wantci the
approval OF tho country in sciijHNtlhca-
ton. doi't believe that Gen. Grant III
tended ANYTHING by this letter, moro than
TO rive tie people to und rstand that he was moi
candidate for third term, and ! believe that his
statements. to which you have just referred, are
rather explanatory of his position. think if he had
spokcn sooner that this explanation might not nave
been necessary. | think Ia felt, on account OF tiS
some necessity TO express his views very plainly
acccp, his letter honest declaration that ho Is
not seeking third term, and | thu that men
who are advocating it are doing great injury to the
Repniran party, and think that thoy make a sad
mistake In years to cone think Tia saddeat mis-
take that any party can make viii be to force
third term, and the nation viii not pcrnlt 1t. 1he
pc9plc viii follow the examples Of Washington and
J e4ersoD, anI cannot BE induced to rilnquish
tbc great principles that actuat.d these
men. They know that this long continuation
Of power is to pat strength in the hands Of party
and if thcre were a third term there might be no
end TO it there would be fourth and 50 on, 80 that
if is Necessary to stop somewhere, and they take the
GREAT precedents Of Washington and Jefferson as The
standard. A number Of terms strengthens one panty
too much and gives Office holders too great I'll adj
vantage of power 10 control the politics Ct The conn
try and they are the last men who should do So
This power should como from the body Of the
people who have other ends III view than The
best interests Of tho country. The best way Tor
olice-hold,rs is to be faithful IN ther Offices, and
show fiat the, mean TO respect the wishes Of the
people never those officc-hoders NEEDING
with elections that | don't feel inclined 70 say 10
Them Mind your own business. and let the people
of the country tako care OF tho politics. think
that the Office holders should attend to thrr duty
with more fidelity and more ability. If they had
acted ard would act on this principle many OF the
abuses which have done so much injury to the party
would not have happened. Their interference las
been very injurious TO the country and the party"
"AIany people understand from the Presidents
loiter lat if he Lad the chance he would not refuse
denomination r
"Wel, / hadn't thought upon that but to tell You
plainly am one cf the men vino believe dat it is
not in tie chapter of accidents 10 nominate Gen.
Grant. or any other man, for third term. Now,
just look over the country at the feeling generally
Look At Pennsy vania look al Kentucky, the North
and South indscrimnaicly. After that letter
written tho sentiment OF the country was one OF
unauimi,. think there is no use in specializing
about the rcsult it is settled question, not only
for this time, but for hundred years to come"
"Will YOU be good enough TO forecast 50 far as you
can the probable results of the coming campaign
81 think can scarcely venture onthat prediction
cxccpt in so far those stated uatwlh the proper
ORGANIZATION the Republicans cav caIrythc country
| was pretty successful in my calcula-
tons about the result of several cleo
lions. In 1868 / believed that Gen. Grant
would carry the stats OF NCw-Io.k, and | believe
that he did carry it still. In 1872 you will find
| said in a speech that the Republican party would
cary 81 States with the best chances for 80 and
they carried 81"
"Who do yon think will be the man who will
come to the front, Mr. Wilson"
cannot tell you that, but that however, is not
a question for consideration now. / think the first