The Portland daily press., 1878-08-14
GOV. RICE.
His Opinion of Butler and Kearney-
Grant the Strongest Candidate for the
Next PPesidency

His Opinion of Butler and Kearney-
Grant the Strongest Candidate for the
Next Presidency,
New YORK, Aug. 13.-In an interview yes
terday, Gov. Rice of Massachusetts says there
can hardly be any doubt that Gen. Butler will
run for governor. He has gone too far to re-
cede If he should turn back now after what
he has said and what his friends have said, it
would appear like showing the white feather.
He may endeavor to obtain the the Democratic
nomination. There are indications that seem
to point in that direction, but on careful sur
vey Of the whole field Gov. Rice is incline
to believe that be will run as an Independent
candidate.
Gov. Rice thinks there is no likelihood of
Buffers trying to capture the Republican con-
veltiOn, but may make dicker with the DEM
ocrats by promising to aid them in the Con-
gressional district if they aid him for governor.
Gov. Rice thinks Buffers Republican friends
have been alienated from him by his course in
Congress.
Do you believe the Republicans need feel
alarm lest the party in Massachusetts will be
defeated through Butler?
No, expect to see the Republican party vic
toriOus. The opinion of Greenback advocates,
Labor Reformers aud National parties have
not made great progress in this state. The
Greenbackers are generally Labor Reformers
and Nationals. The three groups contain near
ly the same men each and the total number IS
not large enough to prevent the success of the
Republicans Butler will have the support of
these groups and that of a part of the Prohibi-
tionists and disgruntled of all classes. He
will also get the votes of great portion of the
Irish Democrats, both making nominations and
he as independent candidate. He thinks there
will be chance of his getting plurality, but
hold after carefully estimating the strength of
the various elements, that he will be disap-
pointed, ard that the Republicans will elect
their man.
win Koornop's yis;t to Massachusetts raep,t
to Buffers advantage?
In all probability it will be an injury rather
than benefit, answered Gov. Rice. 1t is true
Kearney gathered 10000 people on Boston Com
mon to hear him and filled Faneuil Hall and
the space around it as no man has filled them
before for years. But what do his addresses
amount to? They contain no argument. They
present no convincing array. They illustrate
no really forcible or effective appeals. The
people of Massachusetts are not in the habit of
being influenced by talk Of this character.
So ssr as Kearney teaches anything it is the
doctrine that every man should hate his neigh
Dor it the latter is ia better circumstances than
he is. Universal hatred is not substantial
campaign platform nor one that will serve as
rallying point. a
Kearney'S violent and blasphemous vituper-
atoms cannot please his hearers long. and his
trick of taking Oft his coat and unbuttonipg
his collar may have handsome effect on his
hearers the first tme but it will soon lose its
does not show any qualities fitted to influence
the masses. In Massachusetts they may as
semble to hear him in large numbers at first,
but they will soon weary of him. He has been
brought forward too early to help Buffers case.
Before November comes reaction will set in,
Gen. Butler will find that he has lost rather
than gained by Kearney's support
Gov. Rice thinks Talbot will have the Re.
publican nom nation for Governor of Massa-
chusetts and CASTOR will probably be the DEM
ocratic nominee, He also thinks Grant the
strongest candidate for the next Presidency,
and says: 1t seems to be the prevailing sentl-
nent that he has conducted himself with pro-
priety and dignity among the crowned heads
and among the people of Europe and worthily
represented the country. There is also senti-
ment that he Is one of the worlds heroes; that
his fame is not only national but universal, and
he will occupy very high place in history.
These ideas have great force among Amer
cans and would have powerful effect in the
campaign. Then, too, the trust in him as
resolute, unhinching, determined executive,
who would ever overawe and check vicious, tur.
bulent and dIsloyal agtators, would in1asnce
great numbers to support him.