Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 December 1879 — GENERAL GRANT’S FUTURE. [ARTICLE]

GENERAL GRANT’S FUTURE.

[lndianapolis Journal.] The position of General Grant is pecnliar. No other man has ever occupied so large a space in tbe public mind or has been a subject of so much speculation. His fatnre movements and intentions are a matter of intense interest not only to his personal friends, but to the leaders of both political parties and to the public at large. Does he wish to be a candidate again for the presidency? Wouid he accept a nomination if tendered him? Will he declare his intentions one way or the other? Will he become con nested with the Nicaraguan canal enterprise, and, if so, will that remove him from the field of politics? These are questions winch are occupying the attention of the entire country. Meanwhile, Gen. Grant maintains a dignified and discreet silence. He never decides a question in advance nor crosses a bridge till lie comes to it. lie makes no confidences, lie does not even give any sign that he knows his future movements are a subject of intense interest to millions of people. He is a man who thinks and decides for himself. This was his reputation in the army and in civil life. He studies the situation, hears everything, ponders everything, weighs conditions, circumstances and opinions, and decides for himself. He is emphatically a wise man, or, in common parlance, a level-headed man. Ho secs all around and all through a question. He never “goes oft’ half cocked,’' and when lie does go off never misses the mark. There can be no doubt that lie fully realizes bis present position, and that when he does decide on his future course he will give due weight to every consideration in tiie case, including his probable position in history as well as present duties'and interests.

If General Grant were an old man or a very wealthy man he would probably prefer to spend the rest of his life in comparative quiet, out of business and politics. But General Grant is* not old nor wealthy. He is fifty-seven years old and well preserved, and his fortune is not large enough to enable him to live as he would like to live without employment. Even if it were, doubtless he would prefer to have some business and occupation for several years to come. The position of an ex-Presidcnt of the United States is peculiar. After retiring, from that high office he feels that something is due to himself and to the p« j ople in the way of maintaining a sort of dignity. If our ex Presidents were pensioned for life, as the speaker of the House,of Commons is at $25,000 per annum, they would probably never seek active employment after retiring from the office. But this is not the case, though it would not be a bad idea. Most of our ex-Presidents, after quitting the office, have lived in retirement and leisure. John Quincy Adams, however, became a candidate and was elected to Congress and Millard Fillmore resumed the practice of law at Buffalo. Jackson hid the life of a gentleman farmer in Tennessee, varying this occupation with the pleaseres of horseracing, card-playing, and writing abusive letters about the. Whigs. Assuming that General Grant neither wishes nor can afford to remain idle for the rest of his life, two courses are open to him. He may re-enter politics or engage in business. The former cannot offer Strong attractions to him. 110 has been President two terms, and has experienced to the full the discomforts and the pleasures of office. At his time of life and with his experience, it would seem that he would shrink ftom again assuming the tremendous cares and burdens of the presidential office, unless the force of circumstances or the logic of events required him to do so. Il a nomination lor the presidency should come to him iu such a way, and under such circumstances ns to make it seem that duty and patriotism required his acceptance, undoubtedly lie would accept. Even then, however, he would take a great risk ot lowering his place in history. If he should he elected President again and should give a successful administration, it would add nothing to his lame or his place in history; if he should fail, both would . suffer. So far as personal considerations are concerned, he has much to loose and nothing to gain by re-entering politics. Turning from politics to business, the Nicaraguan canal scheme occupies the foreground. Facts which have come to light within the last few days leave no doubt the projectors and managers of this great enterprise are negotiating with General Grant to take the presidency of it. Correspondence more or less definite and commital has taken place, and the subject wiil be discussed and disposed of on Gen. Grant’s visit to Philadelphia next month. It is said the foreign capitalists who have become interested in the undertaking are anxfous to have him at the head of it, and that subscriptions are conditioned on bis acceptance of the position. The proposed interoceanio canal is a gigautic international enterprise

with which some ot the best minds of the age are already connected, and with the success of which any man might be proud to have his Dame linked in history. General Gram is an eminently cautioua man, and if he accepts the presidency of the company it is safe to say it will be nnder such circumstances and conditions as will not endanger his reputation. Meanwhile, it Is evident he does not intend to be forced into a premature expression of his purposes or plans by public curiosity. lie will take his own time, and when he speaks or acts will do so advisedly.