New-York tribune., 1880-04-09
NO DEMAND FOR GRANT.

ONLY ONE OF HIS ORIGINAL fhihNDS IN INK
CITY FAvORs THIRD TERM.
To the Edtt0r Of The Tribune.
SIR: The announcement in Saturdays TRIBUNE
that Governors Boutwell, Banks, Rice Wash burne
and other prominent citizens had appealed to the
Republicans of Massachusetts, in favor of the nOmi-
nation OF General Grant for President must have
occasi0ned widespread surprise and regret My
own surprise and regret is measured by my high
estimate of their wisdom and patriotism. Without
in the slightest degree impugning their motives,
am constrained to believe that they have acted
without giving themselves the benefit of
the fullest and most careful consideration
of the question In all its aspects. Six
months ago General Grants nomination
wasa foregone conclusion" There was then a gen.
eral belief that the country needed him. But the
circumstances and conditions bearing legitimately
upon the question have entirely changed it. The
wavo which was waiting General Grant onward
has subsidized, leaving him without that advantage
over his competitors. In this aspect of the ques-
tiOn. should not eminent Republicans in Massachu-
sets and elsewhere reserve their Judgment upon the
Presidential question until fortified by the latest
and best phase of public sentiments 1t is of vital
Importance that those upon whose knowledge and
experience the people are accustomed to look for
guidance should hold themselvesf 20 to act the
welfare of the country requires when the National
Convention assemblies
All things else being equal, the nomination of
either of tho other gentlemen named would be
preferable to that of General Grant for the reason
that he has been hOnOred for the distinguished SER
rendered his country. like Washington, Jeffer
son, Madison, Monroe Jackson and Lincoln, with
two terms, and now, like his ilustriOus prede-
cessors, with all his counirys honors blest." find
his trnest happiness in calm and dgniied retire
ment. And here comes in another reason against
General Grants nomination. A pervading and deep
seated anti-third-term sentiment. unless it should
be qnictcd by some great emergency, would imperil
General Grants election. This anti-thrd-term
element whether it be sentiment or a prejudice.
or compounded of both. is obstnately impractical
bic. 1t must be recognized, like the Maine Law"
idea, as one Of the obstructive forces encountered
ly the VIZ" and Republican parties.
Should Re, Brigadier- with their COpperhead
allies in Congress. again become aggressive, defiant
and revolutionary in methods and measures, Cen
era Grants nomination would be demanded by q
sentiment which would secure his triumphant elec-
ton. In the absence of such O reason General
Grant nomination, should it Ic enforced, would be
unwlse, and might prove disastrous. IL General
Grant is kept well informed he will not permit bis
name to 60 before tine National Convention unless
the eXigcncies of the country call Enthusiastically for
it. A d" scrub race" would dctract from the char
acter and standing of one who has been twice cho-
sen President by the spontaneous sentiment of q
grateful country.
Neither public nor even party considerations in
sprcd the call of premature Conventions in Penn
sylyania and New-York. The object of such action
was purely personal. and that object is now so ap-
parent as TO provoke n powerful reactlon-so power
full, indeed, that were Conventions to assemble now
would he repudiated. The Republicans of Kings
County have repudiated those proceedings and it
is by no means certain that Grant delegation could
now be chosen in this city. Those Conventions are
mischicvOns IN another respect. Other States are
following tho bad example of Pennsylvania. aud
New-York, by instructing their delegates. IL these
are obeyed. the National Convention
will be anything but deliberate body. But, worst
of all, the great States of Pennsylvania and New
York. so far as delegates obey their Instructions
will be- misrepescnted.
In this connection. and as part of General Grants
political history, brief review Of his first nomina-
ton for President may not be without interest. In
the Summer Of 1867 tie personal and political
friends with whom had long beon associated in this
city were united IN favor of General Grant as the Re-
publican candidate for the Presidency General
Grant then being at Long Branch, visited him for
the purpose of apprisng him Of tho intention of my
friends. After rcmarkng that the Generals who had
carried tie country through its former wars had
been SuccesSivcly rewarded with the Presidency, l
added that u General who had saved the Union
would now. like Washington. Jackson Harrison and
rayOr receive his reward. In tho course Of our
| said that the Presidency would
collie to hun as /, 10 General Taylor. not by
personal or even party Influences. but by the spon
mn of n
FREQ to DISCHARGE his duty with eye single to tho
general welfare.
After an hours pleasant conversation, left him.
saying that the demonstration in his favor would
be mado the following day. and that the proceed
ngs of the meeting would be presented to him by
is chairman, Thomas Murphy. This. as have re-
marked, was the first popular movement in
favor of General Grants Presidency. 1t was the
lction of IN organization designed first by coz
iutation, 10 agree upon the men best qualified
'or important public trusts. then to aid in
heir nomination. and finally to work hard
for their election. Among those original
friends of General Grant were Thomas
Murphy. Abram Wakeman. John a. Kennedy
James Bowen, Owen W. Brennan Sheridan Shook.
James Kelly, Robert Murray. Pierre c. Van Wyck,
William \. Darling, William Allen. James b. and
Joseph Taylor, David Miller. Hugh Gardiner John
Y. Grdcy. John p Cummings Thomas l.. James,
Thomas &. Acton. Samuel p Russell, Lewis LOuns-
Dnry, Cummings II. Tucker Rensselaer, Van Valken-
,urg, John j. Shaw. John j. Slcocks, lioratio ~
Shcr Tood. George Van Mort Isaac Dayton, W. r.
stewart, John Kcyser, Andrew Bleaklcy, Harry |
Iucat, James T.. Coulter, Nathan Hall. Henry |
smith and Il. Delaliod Smith.
OF the survivors OF these original friends of Gen
,ral Grant though now, rs then. truly his friends,
lot more than ono believes his nomination expe- |
licnt. If called on to express an opinion they |
yould probably say that in their Judgment the |
,ourse pursued yesterday by the Republicans of |
Connecticut in their State Convention was practi-
,al and patriotic. And they would doubtless con-