National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-01-28
NOT An OFTICE-sEEKER.

lub hNtlhEN hllltAlNhlA NpNNl 10 lhANilA-
gent, impulsiye and patriotic, combina-
ton of all the qualities that 90 to make up
the character of n citizen thoroughly jeal-
Gus of his rights and intent upon protect
ing his individual sovereignty. TO such a
man the Third-Term spook appeared four
years ago to be reality and tangible
threatening danger to the perpetuity of
simple Republican Government He reas-
oned that, aside from the question of
General GRANTS opportunity to manipu-
late the public patronage in his own behalf
at that time, three consecutive terms for
one President would establish bad prece-
dent one that might be abused by some less
patriotic and less deserving incumbent of
that high Office. But if he stops to reason
now from the same standpoint, he must
admit that such an abuse of power by
General GRANT is impossible under exist
ing circumstances, and, further, that what
ever of manipulation is now going on must
be in the interest of some member of the
present Administration. This conclusion
reached, his jealousy of any misuse of his
sovereign rights delegated to the Off
cals of the Government isinstantly aroused
and the cry that the machine is being
operated to shape the progress of partisan
affairs serves to provoke the same enmity
to 'the candidate of the Administration
that he felt against the third-term prOpo-
sition in 1876. His impulse, then, is to seel;
nominee whose power is limited to the
attributes of personal popularity and sheer
political strength. This search is neve,
| fruitless in the Republican ranks, which
abound with white nags and dark horses
But, after all that is said or that may b.
said in the premises, this average vote
cannot fail to look upon General GRANT,
present attitude with favor, finally TO adj
NIT that if ever possible candidate eX
listed whose utter disregard Of and relusa
to use the accustomed appliances to force o
obtain n nomination amounted to absolute
indifference as to the result, that man i
U. S. GRANT. While other aspirants ar
pull.hauling about the country, making
combinations here and there, and adm,
their friends in the questionable in
trigues incident to an unte-conven
ton campaign, General GRANT
emphatically out of politics, as far re
moved from the turmoil of the schemer,
and as free from being compromised by en-
tangling alliances with this or that clique
as though he were the subject Of some ioI
eign Power. And it must be further al
mitted that General GRANTS attitude i
this respect is the immediate occasion O
the combined assaults Of the friends {
other candidates upon him, II he wei
regularly and formally in the field, an
were not so ceau-handed as he is it wOul
{ not be assumed and acknowledged that h
, is the peoples candidate, and there woul
be no necessity in the interests Of onyon
, TO assai him. These considerations, "
conccde, may not remove the preiudices
= hide-bound unli-Third. Termers but "
! insist they will 90 far to enthuso the mass,
! with the idea of accepting him as cand
date on the ground that he is patriot wi
does not scel, office, hut at the same tin
one who would not shirlc its responsibilit
> if the Office should seek him.