Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1880 — THE GRANT MACHINE. [ARTICLE]

THE GRANT MACHINE.

Pro' able Effect of the Pennsylvania Convention—Signs of a Republican Kick Against tlie Domination of the Camerons — German Opposition to Gnuitlam. WASHINGTON SENTIMENT. [Washington Cor. Chicago. Times.] Grant, and the possibilities in his case, continue to be the all-absorbing topics of conversation. The only doubt of Grant securing the nomination at Chicago comes from conservative Republicans, who do not want him to succeed. Tney say that it has been claimed for Grant that he would be nominated with a hurrah, and without opposition, and that the enthusiasm that dictated his nomination would insure his election. The very fact that formidable opposition was developed in Pennsylvania, they say, is enough to show that it will be folly to nominate him. They say that one more success like that of yesterday would be a defeat. This idea was outlined in a talk between Gen. Farnsworth, oflllinois, and Secretary Schprz. Gen. Farnsworth said: “Graut appears to have everything his own way.” “Yes,” said Mr. Schnrz, “but look at the strong opposition that was developed.” “In my opinion,” said Gen. Farnsworth, “that means absolutely nothihg. It is not a fighting opposition, for, if it were, why did not the convention vote down the unit resolution? After the convention had declared for Grant the unit resolution was declared without any dissent, so that the very best construction that can be put upon it is that the gentlemen who voted for Blaine simply preferred him, but would vote for Grant willingly enough if he were nominated.”

“If that is the case,” said Mr. Schurz, “we will have to beat them at the polls,” and Gen. Farnsworth said that that was just about the condition of affairs, “for,” continued he, “New York will follow as a matter of course; Illinois will do the same thing, and Michigan and Wisconsin will be coming in with early conventions, and, influenced by the action of the preceding States, there will be but little doubt of what they will do.” While Gen. Farnsworth is confident Grant will be nominated in Chicago, ho thinks that he will be the easiest man to beat that could be put up by the Republicans.

Mr. McMahon, of Ohio, said that he did not think the action of the convention indicated the success of Grant. He said, however, that nothing could be more agreeable to the wishes of the Democratic party than for the Republican Convention at Chicago to nominate Grant.

Springer, of Illinois, concurs in the opinions and feelings ot Mr. McMahon. He says that, if the instructions of the Pennsylvania Convention had been given unanimously, or without serious opposition, it would undoubtedly have indicated the nomination of Grant by the Chicago Convention. The opposition to Grant Will be intensified by the action of the Harrisburg Convention. “ Friends of Mr. Blaine,” he says, “ now enter the field in opposition to Grant’s nomination, and, from this until the meeting of the convention, the contest will grow more bitter from day to day. It seems to me that Gen. Grant cannot afford to enter into a scramble of this kind. He had been pressed by his friends, upon the ground that he was the only man who could be elected, and that there was absolute unanimity among the Republican masses in favor of his nomitation. He could hardly enter the Presidential race upon any other terms, unless his modesty is less than I had given him credit for. It would appear to an outsider at least that a man who had been elected President of the United States twice should not enter the political arena as a candidate for a third term and make war upon all others in his party who sought the office. So far as the Democrats are concerned,” Mr. Springer said, “ I think a majority are of the opinion that Gen. Grant can be defeated easier than any other candidate named, and therefore prefer his nomination. It is well known that the German vote is largely opposed to his election, and there is a large conservative element in the Republican party, end perhaps two or three members of the Cabinet would not support him or vote for him. Those who are pressing Grant’s nomination are the old officeseeking element of the party, and do not represent the judgment of the lay members of the party. There is a growing sentiment, in my judgment,” continued he, “amonK the people, to the effect that no man should be elevated to the office of President for a third term. The honors given Washington and other Presidents in the early history of our republic were considered as meeting the full measure of obligation of the people to our distinguished statesmen, and there is an indisposition now to elevate any man to higher honors than were conferred upon the father of his country. If Gen. Grant should finally be nominate 1,1 feel perfectly confident that the Democratic party, with a reasonably good nomination, will succeed.”

Gen. Keifer,of Ohio, who talked with the President on the result of the Harrisburg Convention, says that they arrived at practically the same cenclusion regarding it. Mr. Keifer says: “ The fact is, the delegation will be for Grant, but it appears very clearly and conclusively that Grant is not the unanimous choice of the delegation. It also appears that it has required a good deal of management to even carry the delegation in that State, and, in view of the claim that Grant wants the unanimous choice of the people before he will accept the nomination, it is quite evident that he cannot be a candidate. The effect of this convention upon other States will probably be unfavorable to Grant, rather than favorable. lam inclined to think that the fight that Blaine made there will be against him; his supporters may go off to somebody else.”