The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-02-18


about his views and purposes He has, in an eminent
degree that trait greatnessthe capacity for keep
ing his own counses But one is more bold and I'M
reserved in speaking out his convictions when duty
selfrespect requires it. His enemies taunt him Win
loss Of the public confidence with being about to
retire from Official station shorn OF his popularity
and with having brought about divisions and deser'
tons in his party which will result in their defeat al
the Presidential election 1t is not to be presumed
that General Grants friends so free from the i'm
pulses and infrNtes If you please, OF our common
nature not to feel resentment at these I'M
generous aunts not be willing TO let his enemies
test the question Of his loss OF popularity before the
tribunal of public opinion If they will insist on agtat-
hight
THE RuMoR INCREASED
At first this gable about President Grants desiring
a denomination disregarded the mere clap-trap
OF partisan gossip But 1t has been kept up, as by
design, 10 accomplish some party purpose Al length
his friends simply met it with feeling OF this kind
We II you think President Grant has lost his popu-
arity II you think the republicans demoralized
and that he be beaten easily yon can try 1t II
you wish. 1t not the purpose OF the republican
party to call General Grant for still further sacr-
hcesto orego his desire for the repose ofprivate lie
and devote himself the countrys service for an
other but ifyou beat him so easily we will
not object to giving you the opportunity" Now, here
and in this way truly and in fact, originated the
idea OF this third movement 1t did not originate
with General Grant tor to this day no one has ever
heard him say wished to be reelected 1t did not
originate with General Grants friends; but it orgi-
mated with his enemies They would continue TO ag-
tate 1t: they sneered they derided, they denounced,
they abused they that General Grant did desire
a third term, and that there was an organized
conspiracy to re-eect him After having been
twitted and tainted in this way for long
time General Grants friends retorted back, "Well II
you will have it so, so let 1t be-" This Is truly and IN
fact the groundwork Of this everlasting fuss about a
third term The subject having been forced public
attention by General Grants enemies, the idea natu
rally suggested itself-"Is it practicable for General
Grant TO be elected for third term 20 And the an
swer in the bosom OF every rejecting man, unbiased
by party prejudice and passion, follows-There
is nothing in the constitution to forbid it An eight
years service was simply precedent set by Washing
ton because he regarded his further service as OBJ
ectonable, but because, having been engaged in the
OF his country nearly his entire life he longed
for the quiet and retirement of domestic repose He
asked his countrymen to excuse him. which they did
But suppose the country had been in danger and
great crisis impending It, does any doubt If
his countrymen had called him that he would with
aacrity have agreed to President for four
eight years ongerS What is there in the consti
tuition in the nature Of things more Objectionable
in reflections than In one9 The early Presidents
pretty far advanced in life at the Examinations OF
their second terms of service They wanted rest and
quiet But this does not apply TO younger man, in
the prime and vi igor OF manhood.
PERSISTENT ENEMIES.
repeat am not arguing the abstract proposition OF
tho propriety of electing General Grant trying
to do justice to him and his friends am trying to
explain the position they have been forced to occupy
and the influences that have caused them to view the
question they have done President Grants enemies
have tainted and provoked his friends almost beyond
patient endurance charging them with determination
to renominate him and insisting that tho republicans
will surely be defeated the Presidential election
If this so-and it is unnatural that the republ
should feel somewhat uneasy at their great conf
dence in democratic triumph-then might not the re-
publicans feel that the country is in danger tina,
great impending the country, as hypothe-
Gated in the of Washington, and that an 'impe-
rous necessity required the democratic party should
run their strongest man The democracy affects to be
horrined at the idea Of General Grants election to
third term and yet they constantly suggesting to
the republicans valid reason for renominang him.
Suppose the republicans frightened into itfor
frghtfu thinEt is TO contemplate the return of de-
mocracy power-it would only prove that patriotic
desire the countrys good rendered the running of
General Grant for a third term matter Of necessity
and OF duty entertaining the opinions the republicans
do OF the tendency and effects Of democratic policy
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ATTITUDE.
The republicans ready and willing 10 do justice
TO the opinions OF honest and patriotic democrats who
believe that republican policy Is injurious TO the best
interests of the country. All the republicans ask Is
that democrats should extend to them the gener
respect for their opinions regard TO the ruinous
tendency OF democratic policy. After forcing the re-
publicans TO think about and to consider of third
| In fha m
endless disclaimers to the contrary, that General
| Grants republican friends determined to force
him ON the republican party their candidate, is IL
unnatural unreasonable that republicans should be
able strong and forcibe in favor OF
rejoicing him for third termi Might they not in
SYST that General Grant, in 'reconsructing the Union
has had the most and difficult duty to per-
form that ever devolved any President since and
except Washington who had the task OF organizing and
putting in operation then and untried system
of government; that the reconstruction Of the Union
il not yet complete; that the adaptation Of the rea
tions between the and between the government
and the people, 90 the great changes in the organic
law are yet imperfect and unsettled state that
the work is progressing favorably, but It requires
! timer Is II not due General Grant and necessary
| for the public good that he should consummate this
| great and important work; that the democracy
! not do IL; that their strong counter-revolutionary
| tendencies would bring about commotion and dscord
! instead Of harmony and concord 1t is remarkable
that the democratic presses aud orators considering
their usual party and ingenuity, should have ex
posed their fears aud alarm, they have done in
gard to this third agitation. And 1t is still moro
remarkable that they should have succeeded in delud
ing or misleading any rejecting man Of either party
In one breath they affect great horror at the idea Of
any President being elected for third time, and AFFECT
the deepest at the sad tate that awaits free
dom and our republican institutions in the imperial
purposes Of General Grant With simulated alarm
they the country of the impending danger, and
in most ugubrous strains they impore the people Of
the nation prevent President Grant from carrying out