New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-03
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.

FEAR-oTHER PRESIDENTIAL GOSSIP.
IFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUsE.l
WASHINGTON, Feb 2.-Arguments over the ques-
tion of General Grants candidacy for the Presi-
dency continue to be the principal topic of CONVEX
saton in political circles here One of the exPres-
idents most intimate personal and political friends
said on Saturday that there was not the slightest
truth In the report of the existence of letter from
him in Philadelphia, written before his departure
for the South, declaring that he will not accept the
nomination. The gentleman making this assertion
SAID that the report started in the interest of
Secretary Shermans candidacy. IL am perfectly
sure" he added that no such letter has been
written, and that will be written. The atti-
tude of General Grant toward the nomination is
exactly the same as he occupied in 1868 and 1872.
If the Republican party wants to make him its can
didate he will accept, but will say neither yes nor
in advance"
General Grants supporters assert that there is no
appropriateness in reviving at this time the
anti-thrd term resolutions passed by State
tions in 1875. Those declarations. they say, ap-
piled to a wholly different condition of affairs from
the one now existing. Then it found that the
President might the great influence and patron
age of his Office to obtain third nomination with
ont regard to the feelings of the great majority of
the party. The resolutions, whatever their word
ing may have been, were. therefore, directed against
the apprehended abuse of official patronage TO con-
troll the action of the National Convention. and
they cannot it is urged be applied to the case of
private citizen long out of the executive Office with
no body of offcehoders under his control. and no
chance of being nominated unless his party really
desires to make him its candidate. They insist that
General Grant stands in the position of a private
CITIZEN and that this fact takes away all the force
there was in the argument against third term
used four years ago.
On the other hand. it is said by the opponents of
Grants candidacy that his return to power would
not be the beginning of new Administration, but,
like the return of the BOurbOns from exile, would
restore the men and methods of the old regime. The
most weighty objection TO a third term, they argue
is that 1t extends aud consolidates the power Of
group OF politicians surrounding the President, and
enables them to become practically the Government,
thus accustomng the people to the rule of persons
instead of principles and weakening the Republican
idea The men who are now actively aborDg to
General Grants nomination are, they assert. with
scarcely an exception the same men who held office
under him before. They would be restored to place
and thus the new Administration would be the old
one prolonged after hiatus Of four years. Grant
would como back to the White House as If he were
the rightful occupant deposed for time, but re-
called by people convinced of their errors and sat
isfed that he the only man In the country fitted
10 rule III Icply SOIO Va uidht
men speak of the wisdom he has gathered abroad
and say that if again elected he will call the best
men in the country around him and inaugurate
strong, conservative National policy.
The success of Mr. Shermans friends in securing
the Virginia and North Carolina delegates creates
good deal of comment. If South Carolina and
Florida should go for him, it is claimed they
WILL the whole situation would be changed. The
Grant men have been counting on Solid South In
@l.,4
With New-York and Pennsylvania added to the
Southern delegations the nomination OF General
Grant would be certain, and that other Northern
States would join the movement as soon rs Its sue
cess became plain and that stampede would occur
which would carry the nomination through on the
| first ballot. break in the South puts the whole
matter in a different light, aud makes sharp
triangular contest proba the possibility of
a fourth man appearing at the critical moment to
carry off the prize. Mr.. Sherman's supporters now
say they expect TO at least six Of the Southern
States.
An interesting bit of Presidential gossip comes
from Illinois, Ii is to the effect that the old feud
between Logan and Washburne has been healed;
that the Logan men are to support Washburne for
Governor: that in case Grant should be out Of the
| way when the National Convention meets the Wash
burue men should turn in aud give Logan the solid
vote of the State for President and finally, If LO-
| gan's nomination should appear impossible and
Washburnes possible the account should be squared
| by a friendly turn about of the delegation. This
story lacks confirmation, but il has enough elements
of probability 10 make 1T worth considering by those
| engaged in the fascinating game OF PRESIDENT
| making.
| THE PENNSYLVANIA REPUBLICANS.
| FOUNpATIoN FOR THE BELIEF THAT THERE WILL
BE NO OPEN CONTgsT-MoTIvEs WHICH MAY
| ,yr1UrNCE THE RESPECTIVE SUPPORTERS OF
| GRANT AND BLAINE.
Republican politicians from Pennsylvania who
were in the city yesterday expressed the belief that
there will be no open contest in the state Conven-
tion which meets at Harrisburg on Wednesday. un-
| less the Blaine men should find themselves strong
| enough to make push for tho readoption of the
L Il I,.r4 4ho of 1Az6 DE-