American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-02-14
Trouble Ahead.

As we have already announced, the
Springfield Republican has presented
the views of a number of prominent
Republicans in regard to the nominal
Jon of General Gran: for n third term
Of the Presidency, and so far as its can
Tass has extended the returns show an
Utmost unanimous hostility to any such
movement. Almost all of them speak
of it as about the greatest political ca
,amity that could befall the country,
only one, Ex-Governor Washburne, the
,nly really small politician in the lot,
expressing the opinion that the success
of the Democratic party is something
more to be dreaded than the election
of General Grant. We are glad for the
reputation of these gentlemen that they
have thus spoken. We believe them
so far superior to partisanship that they
would surrender their party supremacy
until it could be honestly regained be-
fore they would consent to q step which
struck Mt the very foundation of our
system of government and threatened
popular liberty as nothing that ever
happened of a purely political nature
had done before. 1t is to the credit OF
many of the leading Republicans in the
professions, in business, ut the heads
of colleges, and even in politics, that
they entertain an almost unconquer-
able hostility to recall of Grant to the
executive headship of this Govern
ME Mt, and in the probable event of his
nomination they will doubtless speak
out, and with wholesome effect. The
Democratic party will then have right
to call upon patriotic men of all parties
to assist it in the maintenance OF popu-
lar liberty and republican institutions.
.ftWaaa
which will then menace the country
will largely obliterate party lines in the
opposition, and all honest men will
combine to arrest the clutch at imperial
power.
If the Republicans who have spoken
represented the dominant element in
their party, the brave words in which
they have clothed their opinions would
Danish the spccter of Grantism, and
with it the speculation and apprehen-
sion which in the nature of things are
more active now than ever before. But If
they speak for themselves and Il respect
able minority, or if possibly for "A ma
jority, it is one that dares not assert
itself and declare independence of those
organized managers-we had almost
said conspirators who direct the move
ments of the Republican party. In two
great States, Now Ork anu ItUuSNlNh-
mia, the set of the political tide on the
Republican side is unquestionably to-
ward Grant. The National Committee
has been packed and oflicered in his in
terests, and his movement undoubtedly
at the present time enjoys the benefit
of a more powerful momentum than
that of any other Republican aspirant
for the largest honors in the gift of tho
American people. 1t has acquired such
force that it is going to give the party
responsible for it a great deal of trouble,
no matter whether in the end Grantism
or anti-Grantism shall triumph. When
we see some of the most conservative
members of the Republican press weak
ening on this question, and even pre-
pairing the way for as easy and graceful
slide as possible into the support of
Grant rs the candidate of their party. it
is useless to deny that the prospect is
serious, and that the people will have
to be the ultimate arbitcrs. We have
no doubt of their ability to deal with
the matter, but in the event OF Grants
candidacy they will have rs much Sc
ductivc sophistry from his Jealous
buolers to withstand was ever thrown
upon the mir in a Presidential campaign.
Let them prepare to meet and resist
this probable temptation. Boston Post.