Year: 1874




sion which many will think wise both in his
personal n'erest and in that OF the party.
Condemn him they could not, and to have re-
cited his praises when the air ~ SO full OF
rumors respecting his unavowed but scarcely
veiled intentions, might have been inter-
preted as an Endorsement of his supposed
! wishes, and have exposed the republican flank
TO n CALLING fire from the enemy. The repub-
lican party is not yet in a position to fight the
third term battle either for Grant OF against
him. Even if it should at last be persuaded
! or coerced to favor his aspirations it would be
alike fatal to him and it to lend them any
ostensible countenance now II is no more
for his interest than for theirs to raise new
obstacles to the success of the party in the
! coming elections, when it has already load
to carry under which it must bend and
! stagger. Since the election of the Con-
gress chosen at the same time
with General Grant much has been
done to weaken the party and ALLEVIATE
its supporters. The passage of the salary
grab and its repeal forced by clamorous public
indignation, the Credit Mobilier exposures
which sent Coltax and other prominent repub-
icans to Coventry Durelrs outrage in
Louisiana, abetted by the President and
virtually indorsed by Congress; the infamous
rascality of the Washington Ring, in which
the Presidents chief private secretary is i'm
pl:cated; the panic Of last fall, which ex-
ploded so many vainglorious boasts of the
financial success of the administration and
covered Boutwell, and his policy with derision;
the failure of Congress to reconstruct the
dilapidated and tumbling financial edihce and
consequent disappointment of public expecta-
ton; the sharp conflict of views between The
President and the republican majority on this
question, the collapse of civil service refo rm,
the disorganizing effect of the farmers move
ment in the West, are a part of the long list
of events since General Grants triumphant
reelection, which ''cast ominous conjecture
on republican prospects, and encourage the
hopes of the opposition. series of demo-
cratic victories in the most important of last
falls and this springs State elections show in
what direction the political current is moving
under the influence Of these untoward events.
Until the republican party can see how it
stands it may we'll shrink from taking any
such new load as third term, which is q
''burden to sink q navy


It would have been equally dangerous to
cross the scarcely disguised aspirations of the
| President by open condemnation OF any part
of his policy. The republican leaders dare
not provoke his enmty. Ii the least office
holding interest should retalate on the Con-
gressmen, or should even fail to exert their
zeal, the opposition would easily elect ma
iority OF the next Congress, and the President
and the party would be engulfed together
The republican candidates for Congress want
to succeed, and Grant wants them to succeed;
and since the third term talk is in all mouths
!, the President himself must approve of the dis
Greet reticerce of the Republican Committee
in saying nothing in their address which could
be construed as tavoring his hopes. AS maj
of sense he cannot make up his mind whether


it would be prudent to run again until he has
seen the result of this years elections, and as
5 certained from them whether the party CAL
bear any further weakening Hence his
sphinx-like silence on the topic which all his


fellow citizens are discussing If, after al
| that has happened, it should turn out that the
party is not materially weakened By the elec
, tions OF this year, his chances of third tern
, will be worth considering, and he will be EN-
boldened to make himself candidate. But
if the republican party is defeated, if there
is no stake to be won he will not enter the lists
Meanwhile he will not commit himself. He
prefers to keep open line of graceful retreat.
All his covert hopes are staked upon the
success of the republican party in the ap-
preaching Congressional elections, and he can
well afford to be patient at the way he is ig.
nored in the republican address, knowing, as
he must, that al Endorsement Of him under
present circumstances would prematurely COM
NIT the party to his aspirations at a stage
when it could do him no good and might break
down the horse on which he wishes to ride.
But if the republican party can hold its own,
or nearly bold its own, in the elections of this
year, it may be strong enough to carry the ad-
ditional weight of third term candidate, and
Grant will thereupon organize vigorous per-
sonal campaign for securing the republican
nomination.


And if he tries for the republican nomina-
ton he will get it. We do not believe he
could be elected. That is different question.
Presidential candidates easily deceive them
selves as to their pr aspects that we have nc
warrant for supposing that Grant would doubt
his election if the republican party is
strong enough to retain its ascendancy in
the next House of Representatives. But
We are only discussing the possibility of his
nomination In reasoning on such q point
we must not forget that nominations are not
made by the great body OF the party but by
a few active wirepullers Not one voter in
five attends the caucuses Of any party. These
hndies are hacked That candidate has The