Year: 1871

expressed IT, that such is the power ana patronage
OF the President and so had II bitten in even upon
been our President not only Tor third term, but
that snOuld never have seen any other Presiucut
as long as ne Lived nad ne not been or
power 10 man who has will and courage enough
TO achieve success when Iair opportunity u siyen
nim.


REPoRrER-When did this opposition movement
first take definite shape


Mr.. WILKEs-A definite determination to relieve
the country from him at all hazards by a lawfully
organized opposition to him az candidate for the
Conspiracy when ne % nsiiu,ed ireGu against Mr. SUM
ner and which resulted in the scandalous
exercise Of the Whole executive power 10 domneer
the senate ana expel one OF It's most trusted men,
bers from q most responsible position for which he
was nOtorousy the most lit man In that body. Tie
object OF tins was first W humiliate him and was
prompted by mean spirit OF revenge, and next 10
dispose OF has opposillon-all or which had been
TO one OF his Jobs, in which it was more tnan sus-
pected that ne had an ultimate personal prodt. The
news or thaS outrage came 10 me IN Naples and my
nrst imp0se was ~ telegraph home TO put the name
OF Charles Sumner a. the head OF my paper as the
Ssases ana too that it operated in The M same way
upon many other minis.


REroKrER rs Ar. sumner still your choice for


Mr. wILKKs-In reply to thar can only say that
have no parttcuar candidate IN the present crisis
OF the country. allude TO Mr Sumner IN Tits way,
because Y Is necessary to show the influences which
brought the indignant mind Of the wholesome por.
which has resulted in what the supporters OF Grant
call a conspiracy against him. rms Is very legt-
mate term for them to use, for 10


THESE BOND SLAVES


shc man OF the sword and the cigar looms up only
as King anu s,,0sc VINO op.ose HIM naturally LOOK
criminals.


RErORTER-Grant did not mend his ways in con.
sequence OF these signs or coming trouble


Mr.. WILKEs-From thar time forth Grant kept on
his usuacareer r Of profit, sitting IN the chair OF
but grasping with his fingers for the pennies from
snelf and 70 slip them into ms pocket AL there Is
and Willingness to get It without any sense OF deli
cacy or self. respect. II he should have another
term his family which are all very rich, indeed
he is himself, will be without doubt the richest
family IN America.


RYPORrER-Was there anything done TO shape the
opposition into compact form'


Mr.. WMKEs=After the insult to Sumner gentle.
compare views and examine what prospect oi sue.
cess there was IN organizing such an OppOst on as
might be- successia, ~ IN putting patriotic and self
publican party. As an example OF this movement
/ may say that MYSELF commenced writing letters
from Europe to various leading senators and states
men. and conicrre, with most OF Grants appoint
ees in Europe-some OF ;ncm very prominent repub-
me- / obtained, through my conversations with
them, clear idea OF the weakest points Of Grants
elections had given republican party the States
OF Ohio and Pennsylvania, that


GRANT COULD EASILY BE BEATEN
One OF these gentlemen regarded this as o most
singular CONCLUSION OF mlne He thought the
publican victory IN those @ states @ made Grant inync.
the weight at the ends will break 1t In the middle,
and now he can De easily beaten detail" "That Is
very strange" said the distinguished gentleman
whom addressed; "a have here IN my pocket
letter from gentleman IN Pennsyiyanla VINO ex-
are other reasons why Grant wall certainly be
beaten: but they are my secrets for the present. and
propose to explain them to YOU" had tnen in nv
pocket a set OF resolutions which were Intended to
organize one term principle party Tor the Presi-





States, as the direct and legitimate opposition to
Grant, who wanted second term aud who had


PLEDGED HIMSELF


10 me by the most solemn form that can be known to
language that he would be content with one.
REPoKTER-When was that pledge given
Mir. WILKEs-During conversation I held with
him TWO days previous TO his nomination at Chicago,
tween him and General Butler In order that there
may be no doubt about this occasion may say that
the re-elecuve principle, and had concluded SEN
tcncc by saying, "in fact, General Grant the liDer


ties Of this country cannot ce% be w'nouta
TO the constitution and such a civil service bill as
Mr. Jenckcs & mas Nc now wao before tine houss HIS an
critics OF this country cannot be preserved without
q one term amendment to the constitution and such
in 'es sa re
ma s Ss n nG $ @ S nv vo rsiS 70 ,e
| fact that imfnedlateiJ afterwards l printed 1t,
20 sse a anG
Jackson on :, tnis Is subject VINO urged the one term
IarcWeu addresses
give you my exact words. Here they are:-'GeneraI
Grant is about TO enroll himself at the head OF
ton OF the one term principle In his inaugural ad-
dress" The exact date Of that prediction was
REPoRrER-You were then q warm friend OF
Mr. wILKEs-This was when Twas notoriously inti-
mate with Grant, aud met him almost every day. The
TACT that my account or the conversation was never
objected to was recognition OF the remark that he
had made TO me, and the fact that his friends
throughout the country never cavlled at 1t was
distinctive pledge to the people that ne intended to


REORGANIZATION say y0u had other than mere
general grounds for doubling the strength Of Grant.
Mr.. WILKEs-Another cause which Regarded as
bearing disastrousy upon the fortunes OF Grant
was the Tammany explosion In the city OF New
to the political mind. but lit


A REFORAING FIRE,


which, growing furiou;ly through unbounded sue.
the limits OF The city and the state but to all quar-
tiers tinged in any way win political corruption.
pie showed at last a disposition to wake up and
examine into their own affairs, ana that deadly
apathy which had previously surrounded the VAT


MAN WITH TIE CIGAR


gave way to feeling OF inquiry and OF confidence
fnat they could deal even with his power il they
set themselves to work earnestly about it.
REPORTER The administration party themselves,
however, look upon reform activities as entirely in


Mr. WILKEs-Yes When the reform was accom-
plished by the downfall the Ring, the Grant party
imagined that they had won a new ayaniage. and
loudly declared that they were now certain of the
State OF New York. Keen observers Judged just the
other way. Fent0n, with his usual industry, was
picking up every new recruit that found his way
mocrats were certain, rather to unite with them
under


FENTON'S MANAGEMENT


than side with the administration Conkling's star,
winch had shone SO resplcndent previous to the
downfall OF the Ring, had now lost It's hope The
State OF New YORK cannot be now relied on for
General Grant.


REPoRTER-You seem to remember the facts OF the
contest well enough. thought you were III Europe
all through the Iammany hghtY


Mr. WILKEs-I purposely remained In Europe two
or three months longer tnan intended 10 avoid tue
opportunities with which was sure to be assailed
to take part IN the


ASSAULT UPON TIE TAMMANY RING.
I should certainly done so had been here for
have been for years OF the most conspicuous as
saants Of that party. had, however ano her task
before me- and determined not TO fatigue myself
over what was being sufficiently well attended TO by