The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1880-01-23
4 CHIP OF HISTORY.
Gen. Grant Talks About the Cincinnati
Convention.

Gen. Grant Talks About the Cincinnati
Convention.
FromJ. Russell Young's Around the World.
Mr. Bristow never would have sup
ported, for reasons that / may give some
other time, in a more formal manner
than . mere conversation. Mr. Bfaine
would have made good president. My
only fear about him was that the attacks
made upon him at the time would iDjure
his canvass. To me personally Blaine
would have been acceptable. He is a
very able man, think u perfectly hon.
est man, fit for any place; but his enc
mics had opened line of attack which
would have made his canvass difficult.
Mr.. Morton was q man Of great parts,
who did great work during the war.
His course as the governor of Indiana
has, l think, never been properly appre-
ciated. He saved Indiana to the union.
As speaker he was most persuasive.
He had the art of saying everything pos
sible on subjecs, and from that
became a most effective debater
Morton would have been as good
in the presidency as in the
goverhorship. But there were two OBJ
jections; his health and his opinions on
finance. 1t would have been difficult,
am afraid impossible, to have elected
Morton. Conkling would have satisfied
me, as l am fond of him and hold his
great character and genius in profound
respect; and, if nominated. he would
have had elements of strength which
neither of the others possessed. He
would have been better as a candidate
before the people than before the con-
vention. Internal discussions in New
York defeated him, as internal diSsen-
sions in Illinois defeated Washburne. 1t
looked for time as if Washburne would
be the dark horse instead of Hayes.
But his friends were unwise in their an
tagonisms, especially to Logan. used
to reason with them about it, and try to
make peace and smooth Washburne's
way. Logan is man who will pOut
and get cross, and become unreasonable
but when the time comes for action
when the party or country needs his ser
vices-he is first at the front, and no
man is more trustworthy. Inever could
see why LoSan's temper should inter
fere with his career, especially because
he was at heart, and in every trial, as
true as steel. Then dissensiOns in ILL
nuIs defeated WaShburne. l should have
been delighted to have had Washburne
as my successor. Apart from our per
sonal relations, which are of the closest
nature, | have great admiration for
Washburne. He has been my friend al
ways, and am grateful for his friend.
ship. He is a true, high-minded, pa
triOtic man, of great force and ability.
While he Was IN France some of our eE.
emies tried to make mischief between
US, but it had no result. | Lave entire
faith in Washburne, and if could have
cleared the way for him at Cincinnati !
would have done it. But his Illinois
friends made that impossible. / saw he
could not be nominated. l did not see
any nomination for Blaine, Morton OF
Conkling. Bristow was never a serious
| candidate, never even a probability
Looking round for dark horse, il my
own mind, fixed ON Fish. Gov Fish
seemed to me the man to run. Bayard
Taylor said to me in Berlin that the three
greatest statesmen of this age were
Cavour, GortschakOf and Bismarck.
| told him | thought there were four; that
| the fourth was Fish, and that lie was
worthy to rank with the others This
was the estimate formed of Fish after
| eight years of cabinet service, in which
| every year Increased him in my esteem
| So l wrote letter to be used mt the prop
! er time--after the chances of Blaine
Morton and Conkling were exhausted
expressing my belief that the nomina
ton of governor Fish would be wist
thing for the party, and his election. i
elected, for the best interests of the coun
| try. The time never came to use it. FISH
never knew anything about this 1ettel
until the whole convention was over
Hayes was under the circumstances,
good nomination. | knew Hayes as con
gresham fairly well, and was very glaC
to support him, think he is doing a.
| u-oll l,a acYNooi oil Il,
difficulties which surrounded him at tn,
outsct-difficulties which would embar
rass any administration. and which ou
friends should consider before they ar,
impatient. The financial views of Mr.
Hayes, at time like this, are blessing
to the country. For that reason alon'
he sould be made as strong as possible