Daily Los Angeles herald., 1878-08-14


arant-How His Article on tho Electoral
Conspiracy Game to be Written Peculiar
Tactics-A Third Term and Imperialism
The Workingmen.
The editor of the HERALD, In his
recent visit to San Francisco, took
advantage of the presence of Judge
jeremiah S. Black at the Palace
Hotel to seek his views on national
questions. Judge Black is not only
one of the most eminent public
men in the United States, having
been Secretary Of State of the
United States and Attorney Gen.
eral, but lie is one of that select
band of lawyers which included
Charles O'Cennor, the late Judge
Curtis, of Boston, David Dudley
Field, and few others, who were
always named when ths foremost
lawyers Of the United States were
being discussed. In addition, he
Is probably the most vigorous and
incisive political writer who has
ever figured In this country in the
press, magazine or pamphlet. His
memorable defence of Belknap and
and his arguments before the
Electoral Commission are the most
recent events which have called
public attention to him. Judge
Black is a splendidly. preserved
man Of sixty-eight. An expansive
brow, heavy eyebrows, u contour
of head which suggests the digni.
fed Senator of the old Roman days.
and sc.ntillant eye, at once advise
any one skilled in physiognomy,
who should chance to meet him,
that he had encountered u man of
note. We shall give our couversa-
tion without further apology.
Reporter-Judge Black, if your
engagements admit of it, 1 should
like to have some conversation with
you Oil national matters.
Judge Black--I will begin by re-
marking that, since my arrival in
San Francisco, friend has sent ME
a.slip cut from Virginia paper.
In it l am represented as saying
that Gen. Grant was the
most honest President we
have had in the last forty
years. Any one who has read my
defence of Belknap will see
in what ridiculous position such
u report places me. 1t can hardly
be necessary to say that never
dreamed of making such remark.
THE San Francisco Alta the day
after this conversation with Judge
Black repeated this absurd state
ment Of the Virginia paper ]
Reportor-What do you think of
the probability Of Grants being
nominated for third term?
Judge Black (musing littls)-
1 think that the Republican party
has become sensible that we need
honesty and responsibility in the
administration OF The Government. /.
They think that the old extrava-
gance and recklessness should be
discarded. These men could not be
persuaded to vote for Gen. Grant
for n third term.
Reporter-Would not third
term for Grant mean an Empire,
and has not Imperialism made
great strides amongst the mopeyed
classes in the United States?
Judge Black-There is undoubt-
edly large element in the Rspub-
lican party who would like to pre-.
cipitatc strife with the view of
evolving strong government from
the agitation. These men will act
on the principle which Whitfield
laid down as governing Satan as an
angler for souls-he muddies the
waters that he may catch sinners.
There is in the Republican party
the two elements I have described,
and the problem is well worthy
the attention of the political econ
omist. AS to the growth of a SEN
timent in the United States lead
ing to Imperialism, there can be no
doubt of it. There Is large ele.
ment, who are really devoted alb.
stractly to Republican institutions,
who desire to be allowed to earn
their bread and eat it in peace.
Many perfectly honest and we'll
meaning men have become salts
fled that u continuance of the Re.
public meaus turmoil and disaster.
They would rather have r. Rapublic
were the conditions different, but
they would doubtless welcome q
monarchy. BY the way, was my
article in the North american Re.
VieaO on the Electoral Conspiracy
extensively real in California
Reporter-It was very generally
read and extensively copied.
Judge Black-There is a very Gu.
rious circumstance about that artl.
ole. The editor of the Review
absolutely prosecuted me to
write it. 1t was fully month
before I consented to do 1t. He
finally offered to allow me to