The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-10-16
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THUBsDAY.........OCTOBER 10, 1878.
GENERAL GRANT.

General Grant, upon his arrival in
Portland on Tuesday afternoon, was
met by a throng Of the citizens Of Port
land aud Of the entire State aud Wash
ingtun Territory. While in point Of
numbers our reception was inferior TO
those accorded him at San Francisco
and Oakland, yet the outpouring Of our
people was none the less sincere, and
hut voiced the general desire to honor
him as his military aud civil services
deserve, aud 10 extend heartfelt vel
come on the occasion Of his return to
the city which he left as an obscure
second lieutenant. After being well
coined in a brief speech by Mayor
Thompson, the General stepped into a
carriage with the Mayor, Governor
Thayer and General o. o. Howard amid
the cheers OF the pOpulace, and the as
sembled procession escorted the guest
through the principal streets of the
city. The feature Of the parade was
the reception by school children at the
Central building, around aud in front
of which all the attendants Of the pub
lie schools of Portland were gathered.
The procession halted with the carriage
contaIning the General directly in front
of the main entrance, while the united
voices Of the children rendered "The
Banner Of the Free" and numbers Of
the little ones pressed forward with
q - ffsrIf fr. n.a. 4
menced, and the procession soon took
up the line Of march, and in an hour
disbanded, leaving General Grant at
the elegant rooms Of the Clarendon Ho-
tel which had been prepared for him.
The remainder Of the afternoon was oc
cupied in receiving old friends and
prominent citizens. In the evening the
General and party attended the Grand
Army ball at the Mechanics Pavilion,
and was welcomed by Post Commander
Stearns in very neat and appropriate
speech. General Grant replied with his
usual brevity, expressing his gratifica-
tion at meeting his old comrades, and
especially asserting bis happiness at
being able to clasp the hands Of those
who fought against him. Twice three
cheers were given him at the conclusion
Of the speeches.
The subject Of a third Presidential
term for General Grant is perhaps the
most absorbing topic Of discussion be-
fore the American people to-day. The
silence of the man on the subject causes
many to believe that he will accept a
nomination at the hands Of the Repub-
lican party, and the enthusiasm his re-
turn to the United States has aroused
makes il appear that his election would
be easy. One Of the facts which point
toward his election is the hue ami cry
raised by Democratic organs against his
nomination; aud yet the same journals
are loud in their defamation against
bis popularity, predicting his over
whelming defeat il he be made the
nominee of the Republican party. From
the sound sense General Grant has ex-
hibited while receiving the homsge Of
the world, the inference is drawn that
he will be wise enough 20 decline the
nomination. He has been honored by
the American people aud by the entire
world as no other person ever was hon
ored, aud an additional term in the
Presidential chair cannot enhance the
appreciation in which his great services
are beld, while defeat would detract
greatly from the honor attached to his
name. He states that he does not as
pire to the Presidential Office, but he
has not given a positive denial to the
assertion that he will accept the uomi-
nation if 10 be unanimously offered him
by the Republican party.