Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-04-08

everybody anxious and on the alert. anu nos
over confident as in 1876; and we shall.
think, succeed and get republican fresiuent
and House Of Representatives
TmDEx's GRIP STILL Coon.
T. R.-Now tell me what you expect about
nominations, first about the democratic
one?
Mr.. Chandler-Mr. Tilden will be nomi-
mated or dictate the candidate. Thought al
one time he was losing his grip, but he has
frightened it again with golden cord. and Is
now like the old man Of the sea on the neck
of Sinbad; he will not let go unless he dies.
He NAV not win himself but will name the
man. But NV views as to the democratic
nominees are worth but little.
r. R-TelI us. then. what you think Of the
prospects of the republican nomination.
Mr. Chandler think the Travellers can.
didate will be defeated if he goes before the
convention, which trust he will not; and l
am very hopeful that Senator Blaine will be
nominated. His prospects are better tnah
they were four years ago, and he Is gaming
every day. The West is for him and will
give him the nomination.
r. R-Why do you hope General Grant
will not go before the convention:
Mr.. Chandler-He has been President
twice, and ought to decline third candidacy
with grace and promptness. But DO not
wish to disturb the delusive dreams in which
the Traveller INDUCES The Grant boom is
largely a stalwart movement. Let it go on
till it breaks, and then its supporters will
naturally and generally rally for Blaine and
nominate him.
r. R-But why should not the people have
General Grant if they want him?
Mr. Chandler-That is begging the ques-
ton II is not clear that they do want him.;
recent events look very much as if they did
not.
SHALL EARNESTLY SUPPORT GENERAL
GRANT,
if nominated. and do not now care to give any
reasons against him, if indeed, l have any
except the well-known utterances of repub-
licans against electing any President third
time.
Take New Hampshire, for instance. If
Grant is our candidate, what shall we say
when our own resolutions of 1915 and 1876.
unanimously passed, are hurled at us by the
democrats? have them here. In January
1879 we declared ''our unalterable OPPOSE
ton to the election Of any man to the Presl-
dency of the United States for a third term. y
Not satisfied with that. even after President
Grant had declined another nomination, we,
in January, 1876, said: ''We reaffirm our
unalterable opposition to the election of any
President for a third term" With the small
republican majority we have in New Hamp-
shire, those who advocate Grants nomina-
ton should tell us what reply we shall make
in our papers and on the stump to those en-
phatic utterances. But the Traveller is so
uncompromisinglv for Grant, that probably
you do not want any more of my reasons.
r. R.-Yes we do. The Traveller wants
al opI cyorvnpD'S OpipionS. and no.
lievcs that the reasons for Grants nomina-
ton will outweigh all against it.
Mr.. Chandler-WelL then, how about
Massachusetts declaration in 1875: ''That
sound reason as well as the wise and unbrok-
en- usage of the republic, illustrated by the
example of Washington, requires that the
term of the Chief Magistrates of the United
States should not exceed second term. y
How shall we deal with the assertions of New
York and Pennsylvania (Which New Hamp-
shire follOwed) of unalterable opposition ''to
the election to the Presidency of any person
for a third term" or the similar declaration
of the United States House of Represents
tives, December Is, 1875, by vote of 233
to lS. With every disposition to accept
Grants candidacy if it comes, and conceiving
of some reasons why it may be desirable,
confess myself staggered by finding these
declarations so universally made by republi-
can conventions in 1919 and by my present
inability to give satisfactory answers to them.
If Grant Is nominated shall try and find an
appropriate reply. | am willing you should
give 1t to me now, II you can.
T. Kit Is not my object now to give you
my opinions but to get yours. But you mus
be aware that these resolutions were merely
utterances OF conventions and only referred
to third term directly succeeding second
term when the patronage OF the incumbent
would be used to secure his nomination and
election.
MIR. Chandler-!f Grant Is nominated
trust these answers may by the voters be re-
garded as sufhclent Ii we only meant that
we were opposed to three successive terms,
the third to be secured by using patronage,
| really wish we had carefully said so; and
if we only meant that party had better not
nominate President a third time and no,
that if so nominated he ought not to be cleo
ted, it is pity we did not say just that. The
utterances are so broad and unqualified that
If Grant is nominated the Democrats will
surely say that by our own recorded declara-
tons he ought not to be elected 1t Is bad
spot tor party to be in OF course we
shall try and make effective answer. wish
the Eareiler would furnish it now.