Year: 1866




republican party in Congress, headed by Mr..
Washburne, OF Illinois, US we are informed, are
plotting to make u breach between the Pres-
dent aud Gcacral Grant oa the great political
issues Of the day. For this purpose they begin
TINS early to take up tho question of the
Presidency for tho next four years with view
OF creating rivalry, or IN apparent rivalry,
between these two warm friends and iliustrious
public men. This faction have tried TO wheedle
Mr.. Johnson, then to coerce him into their
destructive measures, and finally have adopted
this plan to break him and his policy down.
During the elections last year and up 10 the
meeting of Congress he was all right-their
man-the man they had chosen to succeed Mr..
Lincoln-a statesman, and all that and this at
a time, too, when his reconstruction policy was
we'll defined, and while he was carrying out


that policy. He has neither swerved to


the right or to the left from the course


he first took, and which they then seemed


to approve. When Congress met they marked


out another course, and endeavOred TO coax


him TO enter upon that Not having any fac


tious political object in view, as they had, and





he declined to abandon his reconstruction pro-


gramme. They then threatened him, set the
spies of the War Department to assail his pri-
vate character, and commenced course of
reckless and vindictive Legislation, in direct
opposition to his wcll-known views, for the
purpose Of embarrassing and overriding him.
This driving and coercive plan eliminated in
~ ft,a INF
bill. But he was immovable. He vetoed the
bill from high sense Of duty, in spite of the
immense vote by which it was passed through
radical engineering. The issue was made, the
Senate sustained the veto, the President tri-
umphed, and the voice Of the country spoke
loudly and promptly in praise of his wisdom
and firmness. Thus ba6led, these radicals take
another tack. Presuming for their purpose,


without believing it, that the President was
looking to second term in his Office, they en-
deavor to pit General Grant against him as
rival candidate. Knowing that the General
has cordially supported and does cor
daily support the conservative and states
manlike reconstruction policy of Mr.. johnson,


they are making efforts to induce him to aban-
don the President through the tempting bait


of taking him up for the succession. Mr.. Wash


burne, who is known to be personal friend of
General Grant, and at the same time leading
radical of the faction in Congress- is believed to
be an active agent in this business. Senator
Wade's movement to limit the President to one
term, and other movements in and out of
Congress within the last few days, all have q
bearing to the same end. This is the political
situation as regards the war between the radi-
Gals and Mr.. johnson at the present time.


When men are led by their selfish passions,
viadictiveness or excitement they generally
act blindly, and are very apt to make mis-
takes; and 1t is quite evident these radicals are
foundering about in the dark. The President
declared to the Montana delegation that
he was not looking to another term,
and that he was not going to be q


candidate. He is in the habit of saying what


be means, and we ought not to question the
sincerity of his statement on this important
matter We are bound to believe him and
take 1t for granted that he Is not and will not |
be candidate. His highest ambition, as he |
said, is to restore the country to peace and |
harmony. If he can do this he need not want |
another term. He could have no greater |
honor. Another term would add nothing to 1t,
and he might well prefer to retire then to pri- |
vate life. The attempt to create q rivalry, |
therefore, between him and General Grant, and |
TO separate them on the all-absorbing questions |
OF the day, for political ends, must prove utterly
futile.


General Grant, whether he desire il or not, |
is destined TO be the next President. He has |
in pre-eminent degree those qualities of |
mind and heart, conservative ideas and COM |
prehensive national views, that will be re- |
quired TO carry the country forward in |
its glorious career of prosperity and grandeur.
lie viii be called. like Washington, by the
spontaneous voice of the people to the chair
Of State. Two millions ofsodiers stand ready
TO drop their ballots for him. He does not
need this or that political party or faction to
bring him out, and least Of all the destructive
radicals who now wish to use him. The old |
corrupt trading coucuses and conventions may
keep their doors shut He will want none OF
their manipulation or assistance, and will be
elected In spite Of them. 1t required man of
such great political experience, sagacity and
irmness as Mr.. johnson to cl,sc up the war
and 70 carry us through the crisis of recon-
struetion, and Providence has given him to us.
When he shall have accomplished this and have
elired crowned with honor the country will
want the man who conquered peace, who
tood by the President in the war of
political elements that follows the war with
he sword, and who stands high in the estma-
ion of the world. After we shall have settled
'ur domestic troubles, shall have restored
very portion Of the country to It's former po-
ltical privileges and equality, and shall have
aced il on the way to fulfil lis grand destiny,