Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-11-08
HIRAM'S FUTURE.
Grant Making Way for Blaine.

Philadelphia Times Washington letter.
In politics the latest sensation here
is the story that General Grant will
certainly be out of the Presidential
race within thirty days. Whitelaw
Reid told a friend of mine as much
within a few days. rhe story that
Colonel Scottwill retire from the pres.
idency Of the Pennsylvania railroad.
and that Grant will take his place.
may not have any truth in it. but
there is certainly something on foot to
fix Grants future. The report comes
chat Senator Blaine, who has been in
New York, if he is not there now, said
recently that General Grant would be
out Of the way in thirty days, and that
his (Grant's) course would be such
that all his personal and political
friends would be satisfied. This is
news of the highest Importance, if it
is true. All accounts from Grant agree
that he does not want the Office, and
will not seek it; also that he would
refuse it in the event that any
contest was had in the convention.
James 4. Wilson, for many years a
member of the house, and who was
offered by General Grant the seere-
taryship of state before Mr.. Fish was
appointed, has kept up his intimacy
with General Grant; has had letters
from him. Mr.. Wilson saws that he
knows that General Grant will moi
accept the nomination if it comes to
him through a contest; that he does
not want the place, but that if he
were nominated with any degree OF
unanimity he would feel obliged tc
accept. None can deny that there
will be a contest" in the next Re
publican convention. Blaipe's and
Sherman's friends respectively arc
not going to let General Grant OF
anybody else walk off with the next
Presidential nomination without a
contest" The friends of both will GO
into the convention for the purpose OF
kicking up a row to drive Grant out.
Mr.. Wilson says that Grant will have
friends in the convention who will be
-Verally instructed to withdraw his
name in the event off, row, and that
they will follow tue instructions.
This much must be said of Grant, :"
has not sought Office, Even his
closest friends can get nothing out of
him with reference to the subject more
than the fact that he is not a eandi-
date aud does not think of It.
With Grant out Of the field what
is left? Why. Blaine, of course.
Blaine is strong, for he is the first
choice Of all those who supported him
at Cincinpati, and he is the second
choice Of all the Grant men and all
the Sherman men. OF course Grant
would rather have Conkling, but then
COnkling is out of the question, and
even a heavy man like Grant can see
that. Grant and Blaine have never
been particularly friendly in their So
cial intercourse. Blaine disliked
Grant, and Grant suspected Blaine. 1t
may be different now, for Grant has
forgiven everybody but Bristow, aud
Blaine is a man who cannot treasure
animositi his atti-
tpde toward Conkling, with whom he
has not passed a word for over thir-
teen years. ltwopld rot surprise me
at all-indeed, | rather look forward
to tiff Grant should keep out of the
c~onyentiGg and that Blaine should be
nominated. IL Eill certainly be
Blaine ar a dark horse. 1t cannot be
Sherman. C9nkling or Washburne.
and nobody else has been suggested Of
consequence thus far.