Year: 1871

OPINIONS AND sPECULATIoNs OF POLITICIANS


IN WASHINGTON.


WASHINGTON, March ga great deal Of quiet
discussion is going among prominent Republican pol
icians here upon the question Of who A. 10 be tho nom
inee OF tie party next year for tho Presidency Last
December when Congress met there but one opin-
ion upon the subject and that Gen. Grant was
OF denomination, and more sure OF election thah
any other man who could be named. Since then, anu
especially within the last few weeks, marked change
has place, and 1t is now apparent that strong op
position to Gen. Grant exists which includes number
OF Senators and Representatives Of large influence and
national reputation This opposition is no doubt eaused
I'm some part by recent political events but IL results,
also to "a large extent, from the manifestation OF tho
latent hostility that has been sccumulating during the
two years Of the present Administration, and which
naturally shows itself about before the tine Tor
holding the nominating convention.


The chief argument OF those who oppose the renomina


ton Of Gen Grant is that defeat would be certain be
should bo the nominee They maintain that the dissen
sons that exist in the Republican party can only be
healed 10y the nomination OF new man, against whom
10 portion OF the party entertain feelings OF GOODNESS or
animosy and that, in view Of the increased strength
,gor and confidence Of the Democrats any other course
would be suicidal


TO this the friends Of Gen. Grant reply that Presi
dent always becomes most unpopular about the begin
ming of the third year OF his term, owing to the disap
pointnents OF Office seekers and the quarrels or poll
tcians who strive TO control the distribution OF patron
age; that this unpopularity is chiefly manifested in
Washington and is true index Of the sentiment Of tho
people and that from on, Cen Grants popularity
will steadily Increase, that he Will DO rcnominated
next year without serious opposition, as unquesonaby
the strongest candidate that could be selected They refer
10 Mr. Lincons experience proof Of their position.
In 1863 there were scarcely dozen Republicans In Con
gress who favored Lncolns denomination, and yet in
1864 the tide had turned In his favor that there was
no question OF any other candidate


The anti Grant reply that LncOln's case the
exception the rule in politics. caused by the fact that
the peOpe were ayerse making a change In the midst
OF war Every other President they argue since tho
time Of Jackson steadily lost his popularity from the be-
ginning to the end of his Administration and after the
denomination and terrible defeat Of Van Buren, neither
party ever ventured to attempt to reflect President
until 1884, when the set aside for the time all esab
ushed political axiOns They insist that when parties
are nearly evenly balanced at present, IL would be
impossible reflect any President In face OF the ieal-
ousies dsappontments and anmosities he necessarily
causes In the of his Administration be he ever so
wise even he has been successful TO get through
his term without creating any divisions in his party
upon questions of public policy.


The opposition TO Gen Grant IL not united upon any
candidate and names are mentioned except In sg
eestive way. Some think it would Dc well TO take a
public undouted strength and force OF character
like Blaine Schcnck, Cofax, Boutwell, Morton, Wilson,
or dozen others who might be mentioned others, that
success would be certain with military candidate
of great popularity like Gen. sherman others, that
splendid war record followed by successful career in
poltlcs wOuld make such man as Gen. Logan the
strongest possible candidate and still Others that can


date who has kept out OF the recent bros Of politics
but who has marked talents and high reputation, would
best insure success.


These are in bret the opinions expressed In political
circles in Washington The opposition TO the renomna-
ton has as yet little force direction and none OF the
strength Of combination but there il enough In II TO in
sure an active Of the question among the people
during the coming Summer and Fall and when Congress
men return next December fresh from their oonsttu-
ents the active work Of organizing and maneuverng TO
control the Nominating Convention may be expected TO
begin In earnest.