The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-01-22
Grant in 1876.
What He Would Have Done if the Elec-
toral Commission had Elected Tilden.
From j. r. Young's Talk with Grant

From j. r. Young's Talk with Grant.
question was asked as to whether the gen.
eral had any fear of an outbreak as the result
of the commission. "That was the least OF my
fears" said the general. 81 never believed
there would be blow, but 1 had so many
warnings that made all my preparations.
knew all about the rifle clubs of South Caro-
lina for instance, the extent Of whose organi-
cation has never been made known. was
quite prepared for any contingency. Any out
break would have been suddenly and summa-
rily stopped. So far as that was concerned my
course was clear and my mind was made up.
did not intend to have two governments, nor
any South American pronuncamentos. did
not intend to receive commissioners from
sovereign States as Buchanan did. If Tilden
was declared elected. 1 intended to hand him
over the reins, and see him peacefully installed
should have treated him as cordially as I did
Hayes, for the question of the Presidency was
then neither personal nor political, but nation
al. L tried to act with the utmost impartiality
between the two. 1 would not have raised my
finger to have put Hayes in if in so doing did
Tilden the slightest injustice All l wanted
was for the legal powers to declare President
to keep the machine running, to allay the pas
sions of the canvass, and allow the country
peace. 1 am profoundly grateful that the
thing ended as it did, without devolving upon
me ne responsibilities The day that brought
about the result and enabled me to leave the
White House as did, regard as one of the
happiest in my life. L felt, personally, that
had been vouchsafed special deliver
Ia To tha
the peaceful solution, mean. 1 cannot see
how any patriotic man can think otherwise.
We had peace and order and observance of the
law, and the world had new illustration of
the dignity and efficiency of the republic.
This we owe to the wisdom and foresight of
the men who formed the electoral commission
Democrats as well as Republicans.
cat the same time l think" said the gen.
eral continuing the conversation, "that we
should revise our electoral laws. and prevent
the renewal of such crisis l have thought
good deal over this subject of the duration of
the presidential office. | always read with
interest the discussions arising out of it. These
discussions have done good, and our people,
with their great common sense will come to
solution. My own mind is not clear as to
which would be the best plan. The one term
idea has many arguments in its favor. Per-
hans one term, without reelection, for six or
seven years, would be as good as any other.
The argument against second term that
President is tempted to use his patronage to re-
elect himself, is not sound. The moment
President used his office for such purpose he
would fall. 1t would be the suicide of his ad-
ministraton 1t would offend the people, and
array against him the public mon, most of
whom are dreaming of the success on for them
selves, and would resent a policy they deemed
to be an invasion of their own rights. There
is nothing in that argument. Patronage does
not strengthen President When you take
up the question of second or third terms, and
propose permanent inellgibility afterward, you
are encountered with the argument that in a
free government people have right to elect
| whomsoever they please, and that because
| man has served the country well ne should not
at the end of his term be in the position of an
officer cashered from the army. What you
want to avoid, it seems to me- is not re-elec-
! tions, but frequent elections. l think the best
| plan, one that would go farther to satisfy all
opinions, would be one term for six or seven
| years, and ineligiblity to reelection. Practi-
caly this would settle the question. Eligibility
| after an intervening term would not be of
much value, for, in our country, most OF the
| men who served one term would be past the
age for election by the time another had inter-
vened. The Swiss plan of short terms would
not do for a country as large and new as ours
| 1t is well enough for q small, ancient, popu-
| lous and highly developed republic