Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-04-18

than q Of the Is States in the Democratic
convention From lj7 points, whence adj
vices were received, the summary hows that
Gen. Grant is the expressed choice at 1870,
Senator Blaine 10, and that Messrs. Wash
burne, Garfield, Sherman, Conkling. Ed
munds and Chandler follow in the order
named. The Democrats, in - Of the III
districts name Tilden a. their first choice.
Thurman comes next with % districts, Bay
ard with II, and Hendricks and Hancock
bring up the rear.
SO much for the facts as brought out in
this well-planned and ell-executedattempta at
forecasting the result Of the national political
conventions to be held next year. And now
for some considerations which this subject
brings up. First Of ali, we do not believe
it is to be accepted as a settled point, because
1j7 gentlemen, well informed and honest and
scattered all over the Union. have in effect ex-
pressed their conviction that il will be so.
that Gen. Grant will be the next candidate Of
the Republicans for the presidency. Nor are
we thereby convinced that the Republican
masses the rank and file Of the party, are de-
srous that he should be. The fact that the
Democrats are back in Congress in full pow
er, and that, encouraged thereby, and relieved
Of all restraint, the old Southern rebellious
spirit shows itself in an ugly and overbearing
manner. has aroused much Of the old patri-
otto spirit Of 81 IN the breasts Of the Repub-
lican masses Of the country who are chiefly
heard Of through their votes, AMI these
masses desire to see this odious spirit dealt
with firmly, and will insist on the nomina-
ton of a man in l>sO whose patriotism can
not be doubted and whose courage and firm
ness are beyond question but We 10 not be-
lieve that these Republican masses are willing
to admit now. or will be ready to admit in a
year from now, that Gen Grant is the only
man in the country who possesses these nee
esary qualifications. Moreover. there is not
going to be another war and other issues
than that of meeting rebelious utterances in
Congress, or vetoing Objectionable legislation
arising from Southern rancor and hate, will
be before the country in 1850. Added to
these considerations, which lead us to believe
that General Grant may not be the choice Of the
Republicans for the next president, is the
very vital one that We do not by any means
feel assured that the General desires or would
accept a nomination. For man who now
ranks By universal consent both at home
and abroad. as the foremost and most dis
tinguished Of living Americans. and with a
reputation established and safe beyond all
question, we cannot understand what induce
ment there can be to again enter political life
If General Grant has proper idea of the dig
nifty of his own position and of his own best
interests, we believe that, when the proper
time arrives, he will, if necessary, withdraw
his name unequiyocaly from the list Of pos
sble presidential candidates. Our own col.
umns will bear US witness that we are not Id
to this expression by any distrust Of General
Grant, even in remote degree. On the con-
trary we believe that his whole record has
been marked by the highest patriotism, ALSO
lutte integrity, and by a very large degree of
prudence, wisdom and moderation. What
we do object to is the idea, covertly convey
ed in the movements and utterauces of de-
signing politicians, that he is the only man
who can save the country" Other import
ant considerations bearing on the general
wisdom or unwisdom of General Grant nom
ination in 1850, are strongly set forth il an
article from the pen of George William Cur
tbs, copied in another column.
A point to which We very decidedly object
in the movement now in progress, which be-
gins to bear the unmistakable impress of
blooming for Grant" is the very cavalier
manner in which other strong men and pos
sible candidates are dismissed from the lists
An NJ. IT,
we especially object to this sort of treatment
so far as it regards one such man in particu-
Lara man who by reason Of his own abilities
is the acknowledged leader of his party in the
Senate, and whom Vermont is proud 10 call
her own-the Hon. George F. Edmunds.
We have no disposition to go into the bust
ness of president making, but We should
| not do our own convictions justice did We not
here record the fact, which is so patent that
no candid man will attempt its denial, that
there is to-day no Republican who stands be-
fore the country with 50 many strongly
marked and acknowledged qualifications for
the next presidency does Mr.. Edmuuds.
By the force of his own native ability and in
domitable will and perseverance he las
achieved the position which he holds as
leader in the Senate and power in the coun-
try his integrity is absolute, and his patriot
ism unquestioned; on any of the questions
which have divided his party, as those Of con-
Citation or Southern policy, he has never
gone to extremes, and on all questions of
public moment, TO the settlement and discus
sion of which he has lent himself, and
weighty as many of them have been, he has
ever shown himself a statesman and not a
self-seeking politician. Were Mr.. Edmunds
a representative of an important but doubt
full State, like New York or Ohio, there is no
man to whom the Republican party would
surer turn for leadership and stranger
things have happened than that in the Re
publican national convention of 1850 the
question of locality should be lost in de-
termination to seek the strongest and ablest
man in the party, and that by that means the
Il Fan Al.