Year: 1879

1t is rare, and perhaps we may with
out any very great extravaganza OF language
say resplendent spectacle with which the
political star gazers and astrologists have
been regaled for the last eight or
ten days. Even during the great in
ternational contest for the Ashley
belt and the championship of the
world" which was the eclipsing topic last
week; even during the impetuous struggle
between Robinson and Kelly for the in
spectors of election, which, next to the
walking match, has engrossed the greatest
share of local attention, the public has been
turning it's eyes to the brilliant progress"
of General Grant on the coast of the Pa
'cifc and the less brilliant though still
remarkable progress" of President Hayes
in the valley of the Upper Mississippi.
Quite above and far beyond the murky
atmosphere of these transient local excite
ments, great political stars have been SHIN
ing, and the gaze of admiring thousands
has been turned away from Rowell and
Weston, from Kelly and Robinson-these
fiaring meteors of the lower sky-to Grant
and Hayes, who are moving on in their
majestic courses in o higher and sub
liner sphere. Observers do not need
to be very great adopts in political
astronomy to see that those circling
orbs which are now lighting up the
Western and the far Western sky in rival
splendor will be watched with keen curios-
ity until they either rise to higher alti-
tude or sink below the political horizon.


1t is remarkable that two such phenom-
ena are presented at the same time to the
American public as series of great ovations
to an ex-President and series of ovations
not quite so great to President in office.
General Grant, returning to his native
all civilized lands, tour in which
he has been honored and 1eted as
no preceding traveller was ever honored
and feted, steps ashore on the Pacific coast
after completing his last voyage and the
whole population Of the coast goes wild
with enthusiasm and joyous excitement.
All parties join in it because no party looks
upon General Grant as future candidate
for Office. The readiness of tho whole
population to honor a retired President
and great historical character is creditable
to the American people, who mover fail in gen.
erous appreciation Of patriotic services from
the moment that the citizen who has rem
be withdrawn, from the arena OF party
politics. This trait has been most signally
exhibited on the death Of our great men.
Even jefferson, even jackson, who were SO
fercely assailed while in Office; even Clay,
who was the target of so much calumny,
were nosooner in their graves than political
opponents did full justice to their virtues
This manly liberality of sentiment is
characteristic of the American people
as soon as political passions are
nllayed, and the unanimity with which
General Grant is welcomed back to his
native country is natural consequence of
the belief that he will not re-enter politics
nize his great services without risk of awk-
ward political committals.


The marks of honor which are paid to
President Hayes in his progress through the
West are not given with the same unanim-
ity, because his public services have
not been SO great and brilliant,
and because ho is still in office and
an active partisan. But all republicans
zealously turn out to swell his professions,
because the republican factions have, as
little jealousy of Mr.. Hayes as both of the
great political parties have of General
Grant. 1t is taken for granted, as q thing
long ago settled by his own declarations,
that Mr.. Hayes will not be candidate for
reelection, and therefore the friends of all
the avowed republican candidates unite in
these popular greetings as men of both
parties unite in the magnificent well
come to General Grant. In both cases
the compliments are paid without restraint
because there is no fear that they will be
misinterpreted as if intended to promote
the Presidential chances Of the recipient


But there is q portion OF the public
which regards these demonstrations in a
different light The friends Of the avowed
republican candidates for the Presidency
are watching at distance with intense
jealousy the great outpouring of popular





fear it may be turned to political account
in emergencies not unlikely to arise. II
General Grant should be welcomed with
the same enthusiastic warmth in other
parts of the country the republican party
would be converted into dry tindcr, which
could easily be kindled into blaze if his
name should next year be suddenly sprung
upon the Republican National Convention.
Suppose, tor illustration, that Mr.. Conk-
ling. Mr. Blaine, Mr.. Sherman and
Mr.. Washburne should be candidates
in the Convention, each pressed
by his friends, each receiving the
votes of one or more States, but none
receiving votes enough to make n majority.
Suppose, further, that there should be six,
or eight, or ten Intellectual ballotings, in
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