New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-07
MR.. BENDRTcKs as 4 PROPHET

H.
Mr.. Hendricks also is among the prophets.
He laws out the political future in his recent
speech with as much confidence as though
his lips had been just touched with
live coal. or he had had prophecy fired
into him by medium of two hundred
ghost power. His minor predictions re-
late to State politics, to the nomination of
Harrison for Senator by the Republicans,
the denomination of Voorhees, by the
Democrats, and a few matters of that sort.
And so far as the nomination of Voorhees, is
concerned, he certainly seems to have right
to prophesy, since he himself has been looked
upon as that gentleman's only formidable
rival. and he has it in his power to fulfil easily
his own prophecy by Withdrawing from the
competition. He is quite safe in awarding the
nomination to Mr.. Voorhees,; prophetic
gifts are not needed for that; but to go
further and predict his election is to take
chances and run risks of failure. 1t may
be remarked, in addition, that the gushing
generosity of Mr.. Hendricks in turning over
the Senatorship to Mr.. Voorhees, Is so rare an
exhibition of unselfshness that the carnal
mind, which does not credit the modern
Democratic statesman with such readiness to
settles Immediately to the conclusion that he
is looking for something better. There are at
least two things which, in the Judgment OF
the average politician, are better than seat
in the United States Senate. One OF these
places be has already had nomina-
ton for, and the understanding among his
friends is that he has no ambition or desire
to repeat that experience. lie does not throw
away his chance for the SenatOrship to secure
denomination for Yice-Preadent. Obviously
Mr. Hendricks not only aspires to the higher
place but believes his chances to be first rate
for getting it. Perhaps he is wise. lie may
secure the nomination he cOvets by thrusting
aside every other temptation and keeping that
sole end in view. On the other hand, he may
repeat the experience of Mr.. Pendleton,
who was a candidate for Vice-President in
1864, and an aspirant for the honor of a
Presidential nomination in 1868. Defeated IN
both. he waited ten years at home, and was
glad enough in the present year to getelected
to a seat in the Senate, which Mr. Hendricks
seems to esteem so lightly.
Another prediction of Mr.. Hendricks is that
General Grant will be the next Republican
candidate for President. He does not clam a
patent on this, we presume. Other people have
INDUCED in similar forecasts within the past
year. But no public man has so clearly taken
it for granted, and in political speech pro-
ceeded to discount the nomination anG map
ont its consequences in detail He manifestly
believes the election of General Grant to .hird
term would be calamity. lie undertakes to
impress his hearers with that conviction.
Now we are not by any means prepared to
A. Al 70 a of at,-
eral Grants nomination or that his nomination
and election would be- in any such sense as
implied by Mr.. Hendricks, disastrous. The
position of THE TRIBUNE upon that subject is
pretty well known to its readers, and does
not need any new setting forth. General Grant
is not THE TRIBUNE's candidate; it takes no
stock i'm the idea that he is the only man or
the best man to restore the Republican party
to power and the country 20 prosperity and
peace. 1t does recognize the fact, however,
that the antics of MIR. Hendricks's party-the
marty which he thinks should govern the
nation-have so alarmed good citizens all
over the country, that in very desperation
they have turned to General Grant as
man better qualified than any other to
rescue the country from the perls to which
Democratic ascendancy would expose it. And
we submit to Mr.. Hendricks and all the lead
ers and oraces of his party who are endeavor-
ing to brighten people with the bugaboO of
third term, that in that immediate relation
they might find it worth their while to inform
their audiences why it is that so many people
are considering the possibility of a third
term, and why party which pro-
nOunced so decisively against it in 1876
should reverse ITS decision in 1880. 1t
will hardly be denied, we presume, by
any observer of current political events
that thousands of voters who, IN 1876, could
not have been persuaded to vote for General
Grant, but would have voted for Mr.. Tilden
in preference, would unhesitatingly vote for
him before any Democratic candidate
In 1880, if the choice were between him
and Democrat. Mr.. Hendricks and his as
sociates on the stump viii do well to give
this phase of the subject a little consideration,
and furnish, if they can, philosophical ex-
PLANTATION of it.
The truth of the matter is that this cOntin-
gency which MIR. Hendricks and other Demo-
Gratis affect to view with alarm has only been
made possible by the acts OF these very
Democrats themselves Mr.. Hendricks's party
has exploited itself during the past three
years. Two years ago a great many hundreds