Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-03-04
The Presidential Prospect.

ton which Is to convene at Chicago IN
June Both of these states ha' c de-
clared for Grant, not so emphaticany
; TO be sure, as some of the Grant men
had hoped for, but with sufficient en-
phasis to forecast the result in ether
states awaiting their respective con-
yentions. New York and Pennsylya-
MIA are powerful factors in the presi-
Dental unit-and without either the
one or the other. and particularly New
York, the Republicans cannot hope to
elect their man. The lustre which
rests upon the name of the great war
rior and statesman will hot be dim
med By the .attrition consequent upon
conventional wrangling, if so be there
should arise inharmonious action as was
the case at the New York convention,
but it will become brighter by the ap-
parently necessary friction which was
cvinced at Utica. but which softened
materially before the convention
closed its session. We do not appre-
bend any powerful or deep seated op-
position to General Grant. The oppo-
sition which has already shown itself
has been the result more of jealousy,
and desire to place other prominent,
patriotic and deserving men inf position
than from any dislike for, or dement,
Of the man who, for two terms has
held the reins of government with so
equal a poise. and with so determined
a grip as to elicit applause even from
political enemies, though men who
loved the nation loo we'll to see it sac
rifced to treason, or Inundated by a
maudlin administration of government
al affairs. "Third term" has been
howled till it has dwindled to an echo.
1t has ever been bug bear, as has been
c0nClusively shown By ex-senator
Howe in his valuable paper in the
| North american ReUie1o, and as was
shown by Senator Conkling in his
mastery speech at Utica. The elect
ion of Grant in 1880 will not be, nor
can it be made to appear as an election
for third term, which implies a con-
secutiUe election to any office. This
fact was clearly exemplifed by Senator
Conkllng in his allusion to the election
of sheriffs in New York State; apd as
the same law regarding the election of
sherifs is in force in Wisconsin, the
force of the illustration will be appar-
ent. Admitting that Grant is ''third
term" candidate, we fail to see the
danger to our institutions by electing
him as such. If man has filled a
position Of trust and responsibility for
a period of years, with only good re-
suits accruing continually, it would
seem the very acme of foolishness to
relieve him simply because he has been
for series of years in the position.
But we believe the people-a very
large majority-want General Grant
again at the head Of affairs. The i'm
iperelled conditions of the country
through the Vaccinations of Southern
demagegues and fire eaters, and the
gradual and insiduous advances made
by those who, in the garb OF legisla-
tors, are striving to lay again the
foundation upon which to rebuild the
superstructure of rebellion, if their
ends shall not be attained by legisla-
ton, admonish all thinking, patriotic
men to see to it that a man of iron
nerve be placed in the executive chair
another four years, and if necessary
continued there till treason be as dead
as Southern love for the Union. We be-
lieye the people want man who, if
the election be SO close as to, be deter
mined only by careful sitting of ell
ection matters to the very bottom to
determine actual results, will be so
honest, and so determined, that he
will inaugurate himself if honestly
elected. and who on the other hand,
could not be induced to accept the
position of President, if it belonged to
another. Such a man We believe
General Grant to be, and the signs of
the times indicate that the forthcoming
state conventions will be SO emphatic
ally Grant THAT be. will receive the
nomination upon the first ballot at the
National Convention. He is an honest
bull dog and that is what ails the
''Brigadiers. %