The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-04

Understand.
1t il announced that Mr. WILLIAM II.
WickuAM Mayor of this city, has taken
sumptuous apartments Mt II hotel IN ~.
Louis for his use during the Democratic
National Convention. His idea is to obtain
for himself the nomination for Vicc-prcsi-
dent of the United states. Ills chief hope
f. said to rest in the rebel element. found
cd. especially, on the circumstance that
he employs, rs his private secretary, Col.
BURTON c. HARRISON, who was private
secretary to JEFFERSON DAVIS III the days
OF the Southern Coufedcracv.
Thi- may not I've an ill-foundcd cNpccta-
ton on the part of Mr. WIcKHAM. On that
point we do not design to express any
opinion; for we do not know what intiu-
enccs and cousidcrutionaemay he control
ling IN the Democratic National Conven-
ton. If Western man be nominated for
President. MIR. WIcKif,M may, for aught
we know, get the nomination for Vice
President; and it may bc conceded to Inn
on the very ground ON which hi- cxpcctI-
tons are said to rest-hs ncccptahitv TO
the component section of the party con-
s'itutcd 10y the rebel element. Politics are
i'm too unsettled state for Us To proguo.ti-
care. Win commence. uuN ihlllE ulHtltlll
from this
But there is one thing we do undertake
10 say, and that is that any nomination
made on such ground Will he defeated in
the election. We believe we understand
the sentiments of the great majority OF
the people on this subject. They are for
forgiveness aud for peace; but they are
unaltcrably opposed to the restoration of
the rebel element to potentiality in ma
tional affairs. In this we feel certain that
we are not mistaken. We believe that one
of the fatal obstacles encountered in the
nomination Of HORACE GREELEY was the
widespread distrust pervading the com
munity which had grown out OF his course
during the war. At heart Mr.. GREELEY
Bvmpathized with the rebellion. for he was
II sincere believer in the right of secession
So outspol<en was he on thls subject. at one
time, that II was only by a terrible threat
uttered against him by the late HENRY
WILSON. at Il meeting which Mr.. GREELEY
had convened, of leading men, at Wash
ington, that Mr.. GREELEY was prevailed
upon to desist from the advocacy of reace
nj any price
We are well aware of the applause which
greeted the speech of Gen. BARTLETT in
Massachusetts,, last year, and which has
responded, to the echo, to other similar
enunciatious of peaceful and harmonious
doctrines. Webeleve we estimate all this at,
Its true Specification. Tho better class of
the former rebels may 90 TO Boston, and
never was warmer welcome given than
they will receive. Her greenhouses will
yield up to them the faircst of flowers, aud
BE- cordially invited; but, after all this
can they get the vote of one Massachusetts
Republican for any high place in the ma
tional Government?
The war of secession was not idle talk.
1t was terrible reality, reality of life
md death, Of suffering and blood. As the
rombatauts were in grim earnest then, so
The country has been in gnm earnest ever
vince, and continues to be now, in its de
termination 10 preserve the doar-bought
fruits of its victory.
1t was not owing to any very Great conf
heuce in the capacity of Gen. GRANT for
pivil administration that he was elected
President, but to an undoubting faith
that under him nothing would be let 90
which had been gained by the war; ana
that, at the time of his first election, was
the controlling and all-important consider
hton. This feeling also contributed much
TO bear him into the same Office a second
time. and made Signally disastrous the de-
Feat OF Mr.. GREELEY, who was distrusted
On this vital question.
Even now, loaded down, weakened, and
crushed as Gen. GHANT is by the re-
cent dsGIacefu developments rejecting
on his administration. and with an the
strong feeling that exists against a third
term, 1t is probable that if the choice lay
only between GRANT and candidate fully
Identified with the rebellion, GRANT would
BE- elected.