The Sun

An Appeal to Mr. Childs.

It is somewhat discouraging to the friends of the straight Republican ticket for 1880 to learn that Grant was so bored by Pierrepont in London that he did all he could to shake him off. It seems that the candidate for Vice-President expected Grant to take him along wherever he went, and that Grant thought that would be an infliction too heavy to be borne.

But surely Pierrepont deserved great consideration at the hands of his wearied patron. He it was who got up the lionizing, he it was who demanded that Grant should go out to dinner ahead of dukes, and he managed the invitations to the houses of the nobility. We do not believe there is another diplomat in the service of the United States who would have worked so hard and toadled so persistently to get a fuss made over Grant as our aristocratic Minister to England. Few men would have gone so deeply as he did into the study of questions of precedence and matters of courtly etiquette, and all for the benefit of Grant. He is the first statesman who has propounded the theory that an ex-President, when he visits a monarchy, must sit with the royal family and take precedence of everybody who does not wear a crown or who is not the heir to one. It is true, Pierrepont couldn't bring the Queen and Prince of Wales to accept the doctrine, but he forced it on the dukes and marquises.

Besides, he seized Grant the moment he got to London and put him through a course of training in social refinements, showed him just how to act as a sovereign, told him to head the line in going in to dinner, and gave him needed lessons in the Peerage, so that he should be able to tell a duke from an earl, and a lord from a commoner. If Grant had not had him for an instructor, he would unquestionably have done things he ought not to have done, and failed to conduct himself after the fashion of kings. Even though so efficiently aided, it is reported that he hardly sustained his royal character on certain occasions, and caused poignant grief to his ambassadorial Master of Ceremonies.

Yet, if the reports we now get from England be true, Grant was so ungrateful to Pierrepont, who was well-nigh worn out with his exertions, that he grew to hate the sight of the man, and wished he was not all the time tagging after him. This was both ungrateful and unkind conduct, for Pierrepont loves the aristocracy, and he wished to enjoy their society, to which, through his arduous labors, Grant was introduced. Why should he not have been gratified? What harm was there in taking him along to the royal palaces and the stately castles of the nobility? It pleased him, made him happy, and in no wise interfered with the enjoyment of the man in the reflected light of whose glory he delighted to bask.

We trust that if any coolness now exists between Grant and Pierrepont, it will be turned to vivifying warmth before 1880, for nothing is more unfortunate than to have any ill feeling exist between the candidates on the Presidential ticket. Let Grant make up his mind to tolerate Pierrepont in view of the interests of the straight Republican ticket, and in view of Pierrepont's very handsome subscription. Let him not stir up jealousy in the breast of the candidate for Vice-President by too great a display of affection for Childs, A. M., the candidate for Minister to England. What we wish to see is perfect harmony among the men on the ticket, and that cannot exist so long as Grant is bored by his faithful associate, and would rather lend an ear to the inspired songs of the Philadelphia bard than to the discourses on etiquette of the courtly Pierrepont.

The straight Republican banner for 1880 has been flung to the breeze, and all the people are gazing at it. Therefore nothing should be allowed to disturb the harmony of the candidates whose names are emblazoned upon its folds. We call on Childs, A. M., to heal the breach between Grant and Pierrepont, and to announce the success of his peacemaking in a thrilling chant.