juttl
THIi l'ltKHIDKNTIAI. O,UK8TI0N.
VOIj. V1U,
son, mill show lluloim, tho real center of
the play, in u llnur, anil nobler aspect.
Her linn control of passionate feelings,
her stead fastness of purpose, is all tins
more dourly shown by comparison with
tho weak and contemptible Parollcs.
THE PRESIDENTIAL QUESTION.
Xor the llrst time in our country's his
'W lory, an ox-presidem lias made the
tour of the world and his return lias been
marked by a welcome tuai is almost
anomalous, ll bears some resemblance
to tho extravagant adulation which is
showered upon occasional European
monarohs by a people who have been
taught from infancy to reverence tho verv
name of royalty. It is questionable
whether the gaudy ovation that lias mark,
cd Grant's progress from San Francisco
to Chicago, would also have marked a
similar journey through the country in
1377.
Gen. Grant on his retirement from the
presidency in that year, became, by the
act, a private citizen; and, as one, he took
no more lofty a step in circumnavigating
the world than many other wealthy Amer
ican citizens have done. The govern
incuts which he visited felt bound,
through teal 01 assumed friendship to
ward the United States, to accord to Gen.
Grant a courteous welcome, and one
that beiltted their customary mode of re
ooiving eminent persons. The exproi
dent had just vacated the Highest ollicc
in tho gill of our nation, and as a milita.
ry loader, his record has been brilliant;
but ho was a private citizen nevertheless,
and his late greeting scums almost a ro
iloction of the loyal attentions which he
has received.
Hut there is another aspect of the cuso,
and one which lends it additional inter
est. During the second term of Grant's
administration, much was said about his
boing put forward as a candidate for tho
succeeding term. The project met with
much disfavor and came to naught. Of
late, the scheme has been revived, and is
apparently meeting Willi more acceptance.
Washington set a precedent to all fu
ture presidential candidates by declining
a third nomination; and if ho had declin
ed a second, the example might have been
still better. Nearly every president has as
pired to a reelection. If his policy has been
no more than fairly "endorsed," and es
pcclally if his party is still in the asccu
dency, his chances aro yet good. Caucus
wire pulling can secure his renomina.
lion, and campaign lying and the free use
of the party lash can do the rest, lint
these campaign measures will scarcely
avail in tho case of Mr. Hayes. His poll,
cy caused immediate disailectiou in the
ranks of his party, which, iigain,has been
brought to the verge of defeat.
His rouominalioii is therefore doubtful,
and with perveisity, the name of Grant
has been brought forward. His journey
has been so construed as to give his name
new prestige, and the disaffection toward
Hayes lends his name some strength,
Grunt may have the ambition to aspire to
a third term, and his foreign tour may
have been undertaken in view ol enhan
cing his chances lor another candidacy;
but the Sphynx-liko reticence of Grant is
alone a sullleiont reason for witli-hohl-ing
our distrust until tho next few months
will solve the problem. Grant's third
candidacy would imply two tilings; that lie
possesses a very prominent Illness for the.
po&ilioii.or that no one in the ltopubli
can ranks can bo found who can ado
quatoly fill that position. Tho former is
not obvious and the latter is a sad coin
mont on the ability of tho republican
statesmen. Grant s a good general but
not a statesman of high rank. lie has
but little special Illness for tho position
except that which lies in the fact of his
previous incumbency, and this pica for
his rcnominatiou is contrary to tho genius
of our institutions. If Grant is again
nominated, ho will very likely bo elected;
but to say nothing of the liability of