Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-05-17
correspondence.
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
WASHINGTON, ID. c., MAY II. 1876.
TIE GREAT UNKNOWl

10 "hom Mr.. Blaine has so frequently re
ierred as the man who will be suddenI
sprung upon the Cincinnati Conyentio
by the Grant clique, is now known to b
Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, now Ministc
10 faris, Grant owes his advancement
IN life to Washburns, and is determine,
to secure him the nomination if possible
1t was WaShburne's wish that his NAM
should not be mentioned too early us
candidate. lie is very unpopular with hi
party, and he knows it. and was therefor,
AFRAID to give his legions Of enemies time
to Kill him off by showing his absolut
unfitness for the Chief Magistracy. Grant
let the cat out Of the bag the other day
however, while sin his cups" and statct
that all his influence in the Cincinnati
Convention will be used for his early and
steadlaSt patron. But the President for.
gets that his influence, even with the ran.
scalllons of the Republican party, has
been steadily and rapidly on the wapc,
ever since it has been regarded as Il fixed
fact that he has not the ghost of chance
or being rc-nominated. There are dozens
OF men in the Republican party who will
nave more personal influence on the dele
gates to Cincinnati than L. S. Grant: and
1t Is more than probable that the Convcn-
ton, scared by the carnestness and evil
dent purpose Of the distinguished leaders
OF the "Liberals" and .'Rcform Republi-
cans VIII throw overheard all the old par
ty hacks, and take up such Il man as &. W.
Curtis or George +. Hoar. The friends
of the several
DEMOCRATIC AsPIRANTS
are all apparently hopeful. Those of Mr..
Bayard are especially enthusiastic. and
make up in zeal and hard work for their
lack OF numerical strength. But the num-
Der of his friends is growing larger week
by week. should rather say lis polHicol
supporters, because all who know the able
and courteous Senator are his friends.
The friends Of Mr.. Justice Davis, of the
Supreme Court, are working actively for
that distinguished gentleman, under the
direction Of Mr.. John ID. Dct'rccs, an hon
est man, an able wirc-pulcr, and Il per-
sonal rather than political friend Of Mr..
Davis. The admirers of Mr.. Hendricks,
1t is unnecessary to say, are working Wig
orously for him, and are determined to do
their best to secure his nomination. The
Southern members of Congress, however,
appear to be all Tilden men, and the
friends of the other candidates do not hes
ltate to say that there is Il growing feel
ing that his nomination may come to be
considered party necessity, By the time
the ST. Louis convention meets. II does
look that way now. 1t is difficult to see !
low we can elect President without the |
lid OF New York. Again, if the Republic
'anS throw overheard their hacks, and Sc
ect some man of irrcproachable charac-
er, and with good reform record which
is quite likely they will do: the Demo-
rats must put forward man who has
listinguishedhmself as Il rcformer and
PRACTICAL public economist.
GRANTS CHOICE FOR THE PRESIDENCY.
A confidential friend of President Grant
aid, to-day, after inhlting to the extent
II half dozen glasses of lager, 500 YOU
now who is going to be nominated at
The immediate answer
rom nearly dozen persons presen; was
Blaine ''No, sir" was the reply.
We'll, them" said several of his auditors.
or Hayes" Not right vet"
aid the Presidents friend: 'you will
ave t. go lower down in the alphabet. :
he name of the man who will get the
omination begins with a w., which his
anne is Washburne, the present Minister
} France An incredulous laugh greet !
d this assertion. "Well. gentlemen, I
'as the reply, II am willing to bet $1,000 I
gainst 500 that Washburne is nomina- l
ID" "But why do you think 500" queri- !
1 some one. "Why do | think So" was
lie responses ''because the 'old man :
ants him nominated. You know as /
ell as | do that Washburne male Gen {
raj Grant, and you know also that Grant 4
ever deserts his friends" ''But how 7
bout Conkling:" was the next query l.
II is reported that he is Grants flvorite
I'D that Grant is using his influence in ;
onkling's behalf 80, that is all gam y
on" said the Presidents friend: 1.-THE t
resident may seem to favor the nomna.
on of Conkling, but is really doing all he =
IN to secure the selection Of his friend I,
'ashburne. Mark my words! Either az
'ashburne or Hayes will receive the T.
animation at Cincinnati. An arrange "
ent is already made by which Conkllng y,
to throw the vote of New York for D
'ashburne, in case he sees no chance of ~ II
s own nomination. Blaine will of A
'urSe,, lead of on the first few ballots, but 81
candidate will finally be Sc Ii Ii
cted, and his name is Washburne."' A
| incline to think there may be good A
,al Of truth in all this. 1t is far from
rtain that the Republican candidate who =
ads on the first few ballots will be the u
ccessful one, as the history of nominate
9 conventions show Seward distanceG
ncoln by Il respectable majority on the
cond and third ballots in the Republic ~
n Convention of 1874 and yet Lincoln to
as finally chosen. The race is not al pr
| IN