The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-21
GENERAL GRANT DECLINES.
Opinions CT Leading Democratic Republican
and Independent Newspapers.
POLITICAL THEORIES
Editorial Doubts and Fears Concerning
the Generals Declarations.
HAS GENERAL GRANT DECLINED

FROM the New 1ork Evening Post, August l5.I
The present aspect of the Grant is that OF
declinaton. Has the General declared plainly that
he Will not accept nomination if it is offered to
him. and has he withdrawn finally and positively
from public life? This is q question which occa-
sions lively anxiety to the various journals con-
cerned in his candidacy, either for or against it,
The HERALD says that the General has declined.
Curiously enough his announcement to that effect
was not conveyed to the people OF the United States
or the voters of the republican party in IN open
letter, or to any influential politician private
friend or any other person in this country in
sealed letter. Mr.. Borie did not bring 1t and
Mr.. Childs has not received 1t by cable 1t has not
been communicated to the HERALp's "around the
world correspondents. who would have been an easy
medium of communication. Strange to say, the
General has made known his withdrawal. OF all men
in the world. to tho Chinese viceroy Now If Prince
Kung was u republican nominating convention. and
If the next President of the United States to be
elected by popular vote in China. obviously the
General would have chosen the right way to decline.
In the actual circumstances 1t is an odd way.
But let us see the words in which the withdrawal
was clothed. What did the General say to the
Princep He said that he had held the office of Presi-
dent as long any man. had had his share Of 1t.
had had all the honors that could should be given
to any citizen; that he had claims to the office;
that it was distasteful to him and place Of hard
ship and responsibility; that nobody who really
knew what he was talking about would care to
his friend in the office"-a plain intimation that
Prince Kung did not know what he talking
about; that able and distinguished in this
try have earned the Office and it should be given to
one of them-he does not name them; "they
worthy. and to them 1t belongs. not to me-"
This is in substance all the General said His words
are modest and independent. and there is nowhere
i'll them suggestion Of Office seeking. but they
tantamount to positive refusal Of the office in any
circumstances whatever? II the General had said
further II do not want the place. would not take
it if it should be offered to me- and determined
if the Republican National Convention dominates
me to reject the nomination positively" there
would have been room for doubt on the subject
These words are not reported nor is anything equiv
aent to them. Still the HERALD assures that
General Grant has declined and that it would be an
aflront to him to take any other view Of the case.
But the studied affront which contrary assump-
ton implies is maintained The Washington cor.
respondent Of the Times says that so republican
member OF Congress" who has just made ian ex
tended trip through the Western States" reports
that "the sentiments OF the masses is unquestion-
ably favorable to the nomination Of General Grant,
that "next to Grant the strongest candidate is
Blaine" but that Grant is the "frst choice" The
evidently believes that the General il still in the
field and that there is danger Of his election for it
revives some of its old objections to him. In the
eight years of his Office che hardly passed years
ut Washington, it says; he was constantly on the
wing in pursuit OF pleasure" ut Long Branch
and elsewhere: and it contrasts his practice
unIavorablv with that of Prince Knnpp Who
rises Eat two O'Clock in the morning." to whom
1.-THE hours before the dawn" are important
hours" aud who does not ''leave Pekin when tho
sets in as the General suggested, but
stays there "all the year round" Perhaps Prince
Kung is tho Suns democratic candidate for Presi-
dent whom We have tried in vain to induce that
temporary to manner
II we had time and room might quote from
Journals In various parts OF the country which re-
fuse to believe that General Grant has declined,
but still regard him us the inevitable candidate.
We are afraid that there is nothing for him to do
but to print ga card in the Chinese newspapers In
the words which we have already proposed. or
Others like them. 1t would be forthwith Forwarded
the HERALD by tho cable the question would BIO
set at rest and We should be at liberty to turn
attention to the able and distinguished men who
the General says ought to have the Office.
BADLY HIT.
IRON the Washington National Republican-rep1
II have no claims to the Office" says General
Grant. But the office may have some claims upon
him. nevertheless.
GRANT Is SENSIBLE.
From the West Chester pa Village Record-rep.l
We learn from his words ut the antipodes the
latest phases of his mind to the Presidency aud
the much talked OF Pacific coast reception. Upon
both subjects he speaks We should expect him to
do. In the present aspect of the case 1t does not
at all likely that he would be nominated unan-
lnOuSiy III the hepuDncan convention OF next year,
and with his already expressed disinclination to
cept the candidacy it would not be all surprising
IL he should say to his friends. upon his arrival in
San Francisco. that he absolutely forbds the Of
his name
BELIEVE GRANT
From the New York Evening Mail-repl
He could hardly have taken himself out of tho
field" more absolutely and completely than he has
done through the medium OF a talk the other
side OF the planet, all tho circumstances OF which
just such lie would have desired in order to
accomplish the object OF rotiracy from politics.
Those who doubt this do not pay very high COM
plment to the sincerity OF one of the sncerest men
living
DISAPPOINTED.
From the New York Commercial Advertisor.l
The HERALD says General Grant don't want tho
nomination and declines it. The people want him
and will have him, and the sooner the HERALD opens
its eyes to the fact the sooner it will exhibit CON-
mon sense.
THINKS GRANT MEANT WHAT HE SAID.
From the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch-repJ
While there IL q disposition upon the part or q
certain class OF politicians to Keep General Grant be-
fore the people the republican candidate Pres
ident in 1850, yet there IL every to believe
ne will not permit his to be used in that
nection. fact all tho utterances that have been
made by Geneial Grant and his most intimate friends
90 to show that he Is not III the hcld The latest
that has been heard from General Grant the SUBJ
Jcct Is given III his interview with the Viceroy of
China The above are not the exact words
OF General Grant. but they give in substance his
views on the subject. Certainly they are clear
enough to indicate that he will not be considered
candidate tor the Presidential succession.
FURTHER ASSURANCE
From the New York Star-Tammany dem.1
Had the General added emphatcay that he would
not accept the nomination perhaps there would have
been less doubt of the sincerity OF what he said.
In face OF the facts that republicans In every
ton OF the country profess to regard him tho
strongest man whom they could nominate; that
a..ttx l.t..