New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-12
srhrWART OR CONSERVATYTEf

1t is pertinent inquiry 10 mike VI lhOSo WIN
advocate General Grants nomination for
third Presidential term, What is to be his posl-
tion ON the Southern question: Ii is true tnat
it may not be important in view OF the dl1lerent
opinions of Republicans whether he is to be
radical and stalwart, or cOnciliatOry and con-
seryative. But it is desirable that the Repub
lican party, before it dominates him, should De
frankly informed what his present views are
and what his future action will be, so that 1t
NAV act understandlngly and with its eyes
open.
We are obliged to confess ourselves unln-
formed. We have supposed that Grant was
advocated as stalwart. The Boston 4rdUeller
saws, GGrants strength is stalwart strength"
The advocates of "strOng man" have caused
it to be inferred that Grant, If elected, will do
something at the South to enforce laws and
protect human rights that no other President
will desire and be able to do. And if the Repub-
leans propose in case they carry the election
in 1880 to re-devastate the South with fire and
sword, we imagine no one will doubt that
Grant is best qualified for that work. We have
hitherto understood that his candidacy was
conceived and urged very much in that aggres-
sive and ferocious spirit
But now comes Mr. George G. Gorham, and
advocates Grants nomination on the ground
| that the time Is ripe for reconciliation, and
abelieve Grant is to be the apostle" This is
new move of the Senatorial quartet OF which
| MIR. Gorham is the unQuestionable exponent is
the advocacy of Grant on the ground that he
will use the Army at the South and seat Repu6-
lican Legislatures by United States troops, as
when under his orders General De TrObriand and
| his soldiery organized the Louisiana Legisa-
ture, to be abandoned9 If so let it be fairly
understood, even though the chances for q third
term are thereby increased.
There is much to indicate that the ex-Presi-
dent does now desire to take the part of an
apostle of reconciliation. When Governor
| Ames. of Mississippi was being driven out by
! rebel violence President Grant wrote him that
the North was getting tired of these ever recur-
ring autuInal election outbreaks at the South,
and refused to help him with troops and he
| gave up the contest and all Mississippi became
what the Chisolm tragedy showed Kemper
| County to be-
| President Hayes was bitterly assailed because
! he did not sustain the Packard government in
| Louisiana but before Hayes became President
his predecessor had told Secretary Snfien to
telegraph Governor Packard that the people
would not longer justify sustaining Southern
State governments by the Army, and Packard
virtually went TO his downfall before President
Hayes had any power to help or harm him
Colonel james F. Casey was an active instru-
ment in destroying the Packard government
and advised if he did not influence President
Grant to abandon it, and We suppose it is nj
secret that Senator Conking gave the same adj
vice; while Senator Carpenter was counsel EN-
ploycd by Mr.. Tilden to help crush it. Presi
dent Andrew d. White reported from Europe
that General Grant told him he approved Presi
dent Hayes's policy, and should have done nj
be did in reference to Louisiana and SOutl
!, Carolina and the interview was never contra
dicted.
MANY signs thus indicate that General Gran
is never again to do acts which will bring upoI
him the charge of radicalism or military DIES
potism; and that MI. Gorham is right in saying
he now seeks to be the apostle of recOncilia
ton. 1t is not for us to say on which claim, o
radcalism or of Cancellation, General Gran
should be advocated for third term. We Onl,
say that there should be no double-facodncss o
deception on the point. Mr.. Gorham has beer
heard from. Let others speak.