Year: 1871

The contest for the gubernatorial
nomination in Massachusetts, is this
year exciting more than usual interest,
BEN BUTLER, Doctor LoRING, Governor
CLAFLIN and others are struggling fol
the place. In order to ascertain his
views concerning State and National
politics, a correspondent Of the New
York World recently interviewed WEN
DELL PHILLIPS, and from the published
report Of the conversation we extract as
follows:


C.-In your opinion isn't it a question
Of political life or death with Butler
whether or not he gains the Governor
ship?


Mr.. P.-I should say that whether
Butler is Governor OF Massachusetts
this year or not is Of more consequence
for the Republican party than it is Tor
him. For it is perfectly possible for a
party to elect its Governor and die of
success if its Governor be an inferior
man. | think the party would be on
the high road to health and strength
with Butler, and it will be going on with
the same signs Of pulmonary consump-
ton with either Loring or Clailin. |
don't think there is any life in Massa'
chusetts Republicanism except support,
ing Butler or fighting him. | think
liking him and disliking him is about
the amount Of Massachusetts Republi-
canism. That is the only point that
rallies men at all. There is party
that hate him and a party that like
him, and when you have discussed the
question you have exhausted the cate
chism. | think the election of Butler
would be an infusion of new blood. 1t
would be like Bonner 8 Dexter going a
mile in 2:l7, but electing Loring, or
Rice. or Jewell, or Claflin would be like
Pickwicks cab horse, which didn't fall
down only because the driver never al
lowed him to stop.


C.-You seem to think that the party
in the State is rather in bad wav2


Mr.. P.-I will tell you what | think.
l think the Republican party, unless it
takes up and looks with more cordiality
on some Of these new issues, is running
out in the commonwealth. l. don I
think it is retaining its hold by any
means. | should say the three great
political positions in the State are the
two Senarorships and the Governor s
chair. The two Senatorships are set
tied for the next four years, and they
are out OF consideration. That is the
reason why Butler looks towards the
Governorship.
C.-You recognize the fact, do You
not, that he is aspiring for the Presi'
deEcy?


Mr.. P.-Undoubtedly, in the end.
But | think the wisest aspirants in
Massachusetts, and elsewhere have fully
in mind the importance OF concliating
the labor movement-thc whole OF
them.


C.-Do you think that Butlers elec'
ton to he Governor at this time would
give him any advantage in the next
Presidential canvass?


Mr.. P.-But do you think that there
is any doubt that Grant will be renom-
mated


CT suppose there is none what
ever


Mr.. P.-I don't think there is any
doubt that he will be elected if any Re,
publican is elected But | think there
is doubt about it whether, if the South
ern States are left in their present posi-
ton, any Republican is elected. The
chief danger TO Grant is coming from
the South rather than the North.
don't think there is any danger at the
North.


C.-You don't think, sir that Mr..
Greeley will injure his chances much ?


Mr.. P.-Not bit. l believe Gree
ley would like to be nominated. |
never knew the. prominent American
that wasn't dying to be nominated for
President. But think Mr.. Greeley
has no more chance OF getting either the
nomination or the election than Moke.
to-vato, and he has been dead year.
| don't think there is any prominent
member OF the Republican party that
can injure Grant or that stands in the
way OF his nomination. think that
unless there is a great change in twelve
months the nomination Of anybody else
but Grant will be certain to result in a
Democratic victory.


May | ask what is your opinion of the
TriJ,meS course?


Mr.. C.-I think there is no trouble
in regard to the TriJuneS supporting
Mr.. Greeley. With all his weaknesses
| don't think he is weak enough for
that. l think there is great deal
more peril in the chance that it should
support Judge Chase than in its con-
iusing the Republican ranks by any
support Of Greeley. | don't think
Greeley ever liked Grant, but, on the
whole, | don't believe he will interfere
with the success of the Republican
party.


C.-And you look forward to


ONE MORE SQUARE CONTEST
between the Republicans and the Dem
ocrats?


Mr.. P.-I do; I believe that the
Democrats mean to carry the country,
if they can on Republican principles
and it is wise, it is a very cunning
scheme. l think the Republicans are
foolish enough to let battle be fought
on that dead mans grave, instead OF
pushing ahead and taking the advanced
ground which would sweep the country
into their support for the next ten
years.


CT conceive, sir, from what you