Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-01-30
GRANTS CANDIDACY.

There are some queer evolutions In politi-
cal life. A few months ago the Republican
party was anxious to force the nomination
of Gen. Grant on the people and the Demo
cratic party was as anxious to prevent it.
To-day We find the attitude of the parties d.
rectly reversed, and the Democrats are
forced into the position of desiring Gen.
Grants nomination by their opponents,
while the Republicans are using their best
endeavors to prevent such an emergency.
The reason is obvious: When Grant re-
turned from his foreign tour, after receiving
imperial houors in all parts of the world, it
was thought fitting that he should receive a
reception at home indicative of the fact that
all the courtesies shown him elsewhere were
appreciated. This was given him, and no
man who ever lived in this country was ten
dered 30 great obeisance. This was regard
ed by few partisans of limited COM
prehension as political demonstration,
and testifying to the fact that
the American people desired to honor this
recipient of these extraordinary honors by a
reelection to the Presidency for an ad
ditional term. For few weeks his candi-
dacy amounted to furore. But when the
sober second thought came it was found
that there would be serious objection to SO
patent violation of the traditions of the
country. In obedience to this sentiment
the opposition to his candidacy has as
sumed definite organized shape in the
cal center in the country anti Grant clubs
have been organized among the Republicans
and ere steadily growing in numbers and in
fuencs.
There are several elements in the Republi-
can party that will be likely TO prove fatal to
Gen. Grants aspirations in the direction
of the Presidency, if he entertains
them. In the first place there
are the more intelligent members,
led by such men as George William Curtis.
They have decided conviction, based upon
patriotic impulses, that it would be mex
pedient as we'll as undemocratic to give a
third term to Gen. Grant. They have abun-
dant reasons for their belief to which they
are not slow to give utterance. They are
seconded by the German element, led by
such men as SchurZ and Hassaurek and
Roth, who have for many years been direc-
tiers OF public sentiment among that nation
atty. They do not hesitate to declare that
in no event can our German citizens con-
sent to support Grant. AS this element
holds the balance of power in several States
of the West it Is not to be despised. Then
there is q general though unorganized OPP
position to Grants candidacy among the
rank and file of the Republican party. They
did not approve of many of his official acts
when last he occupied the executive chair,
and were especially offended that he su--
rounded himself with a class of advisers
who proved recreant to their trusts and
brought disgrace upon the government both
ct home and abroad. This latter offense
would not be regarded as very grave had it
not been for the fact that after their rascality
had been exposed they still continued as the
trusted friends of the President.
There are other causes that combine with
those we have mentioned to demonstrate the
fact to all thinking men that Grant can
never secure an election to the Presidency,no
matter by which party nominated. His
friends may advocate his claims as loudly as
they will, the certainty of defeat stares the
party in the face in case of his selection. 1t
is for this reason that the Democrats are
anxious to see him nominated on the Repub-
lican ticket. They regard him as the weakest
of all the candidates named. Even Conkling,
with all his unpopularity and his unsavory
personal reputation, would be able to unite
the party more fully than Grant. Blaine
would be apt to create little public enthu-
siasm by reason of his personal popularity
and magnetism, but this would die out as
the full force of his political sins came to be
realized. Sherman would have a strong
backing-that of the money power-but he
is neither personally popular nor politically
honest, and could not hope for the united
support of the party. But either of the
three gentlemen mentioned would stand far
better show of election than Grant. Speaking
as Democratic paper, the GLOBE would fear
the candidacy of Conkling, Blaine or Sher-
man more than that of Grant.