The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1876-05-05
The Republican Field.
From the Louisville Courier-Journal.

From the Louisville Courier-Journal,
The anti-Grant press within the Republl-
can party underestimate the power of the
Grant people. The Grant people are pow
erless to nominate the President for a third
term but they are potent as slate-smash-
ers and can do a deal Of mischief among
aspiring candidates. In the old time an
Administration SO weak and unpopular as
that OF Franklin Pierce was strong enough
to poll large vote in the Cincinnati Con-
vention in 1856, and to keep on polling it.
Grant is much stronger to-day than Pierce
was twenty years ago. He has retainers
everywhere who are devoted and drilled.
They care nothing about the gabble of the
newspapers Their work is with individ-
uals. not with masses. With them the re-
suit is matter of sop and gravy. Though
under cloud at present, their presence
will be felt none the less at Cincinnati,
whore thesg. ieslils about thaA>ugh- the sub
terraneous passages and slide up and down
the dark alleys Of Republicanism in way
that will make some people stare. They
may not be able to coerce the nominee, but
they are likely to do more towards it than
any other class.
1t is understood now that this Admins
tration set is for Conkling. How far is it
sincere, and how far does Conkling stand
for somebody else who is hid in the bushes
and who will not be brought out until he
can be put through? Except for Wash
burne's record he would seem to be the cat
in Conkling's meal-tub. Unluckily, Wash
burne is no favorite with the drill-masters.
He was an honest man in Congress, and he
has made good Minister to France. Be-
sides, it is doubtful whether he continues to
be a favorite Of the President. His flight
to foreign parts, leaving the man he had
created to hold a bag that was much too
big for him, has to be accounted for. Any
way, Washburne is too good man to pass
muster with Babcock, Shepherd & Com
pany.
Next comes Morton. There is certainly
no cause Of complaint against him on the
score Of goodness. But Morton is a thor
ough Mortonian. He has his peculiar indi-
viduality. He has friends of his own, who
are not essentially the creatures of the
Grant ring. Like Stephen A. Douglas, he
would, if elected, have too many followers
to look after. As candidate he is not re-
garded as very strong in running qualities
too extreme for the West, too uneouth
for the East. Next to Conkling, the Grant
people would probably prefer him though
it is not quite certain that they would not
be divided as between him and Blaine.
There has never been any love lost be-
tween Blaine and Grant. But Blaine is
fresh man, to whom many of the Grant peo-
pie can safely attach themselves. 1t is the
feud between Conkling and Blaine that
mixes matters and makes an understanding
impossible. Blaine is a good -natured, pla-
cable person, with keen eye for the main
chance, and doubtless he would be willing
enough to close up the breach. But Conk-
ling is stitf-necked and vindictive He has
White House on the brain too, believes his
star is up, and means to strain every nerve.
His candidature on his part is real, not as
sumed, and, though his supporters are
charged with insincerity, there is every
that circumstances will force
them into a more honest attitude. It may,
after all, become necessary to nominate
Conkling. Assuredly, the New York Sen
ator is i'll position to beat Blaine, whilst
the ex-speaker can do little or no damage
to his old rival.
The Bristow movement is apart from this
wire pulling and personal jugglery. 1t is
yearning Of the people for an honest man
who is not fool. Bristow is strong every
except with the thieves. But the thieves
are in the ascendant, and they are not alto
gether confined to one party. The Repub-
lican party have the larger part of them
and the biggest of them, because villainy
always goes with the power that is. But
there are Democratic thieves, unknown and
of, who are in alliance with the
Republican thieves, who stand between
these and danger. Bristow is neither a
thief nor the friend of thieves, and there
fore he cannot count on any substantial
support from the party managers, He is
the one man in the country whom either
party could elect, and he is the one man
whom neither party wants. His election,
as Republican, means just what the cleo
ton of Charles Francis Adams would
mean His election as Democrat-a thing
not to be thought of and out of the ques-
tior-would mean new cut, shuttle and
deal, a revolution not merely Of parties,
but of politicians, for which the country is
not prepared. The centennial year cannot
produce a Monroe. If it could, Bristow
would be the man. The managers on both
sides think they can do better, and they
will not be satisfied this side of the election
in November.
Many things happen nowadays all Of
sudden. We cannot tell what may or may
not happen between this and the Fourth
of July. But we can wait and see, anus
ing ourselves meantime by such guesses as
these.
Vanderbiit's Career
Cornelius Vanderbilt, in the year 1910,
when only sixteen years of age, and New
Vorlv h.d b,+ an 0n0 -aonla haoa,, I,;e oatoa,