The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-03-21
the Administration Organs on Grant
The Struggle Tor the Presidency-What
IL Grant Sbould Faiis MN

| command of our armies, we have watched the
organs Of the administration with more interest
! than their usual dull verbosity would justify.
| We had expected TO find them filled with at
tempted explanations Of the singular position
that Grants elevation has forced the President
into But we have been disappointed They
are afraid of the whole subject, and 60 oyer it
as cautiously as sinners are supposed to 70
over the rough places in st. Patrick's purgato-
ry Only one of the organs approaches the
subject in its usual style. This is Western
OF the republican party-which revolves on the
outer circle Of civilization, and has consequent
ly all the ignorance and vulgarity Of that kind
of forest life that gets from civilization nothing
but ''the wet damnation" of the distilleries.
That organ reviews the position and INDUCES
in some sneering, sneaking illusions to Grant,
intended to show that Grant is not, aftor all, so
great a man as Lincoln is and will do no bet
ter than Lincoln has done with all our armies
on his hands,
That the organs of the President should touch
his present position lightly is not to be wonder
ed at. The vote that placed Grant where no is
was less the reward Of his Western victories
than broad declaration that the country has
no confidence in the ability of the administra-
ton to carry on this war; 1t is very well that
the President and his immediate adherents have
the philosophy to look pleasant and utter agree
able sentences over it, and it is probable that
they may in that way make some persons be-
lieve that this change-whch practically puts
them out of power-was just what they longed
for. But it is to be hoped that while they de-
ceive others they will not 60 so far as to de-
ceive themselves in this respect 1t will have
wholesome effect upon their future
conduct ifthey keep in view the fact that
their humiliating position and Grants as
cendancy are exactly what they did
not desire, but have been forced upon
them by the popular will, expressed in the pro-
per way through Congress. Let them take their
bearings from that single fact, and find their
present position, and it is possible that they
may keep much nearer the proper course in the
future. Grant was their revolution. He repre-
sented exactly what they did not represent
success. Congress declared that there should
be lieutenant general, and, though it had at
first placed Grants name in the BILL it erased
that name, in noble compliment to the hero as
well as in bold acknowledgment of the position
Of tho country. Congress would not even seem
to make the implication that there was any man
in the country who could stand in comparison
With Grant, or any man whose claims the most
INSCRIPTIONS partisan could place in competi
ton with the claims of the Western conqueror
fof that high place. Congress acknowledged
Grant to be obviously the necessity OF the
country, and by erasing his name from the bill
challenged the administration to dispute it, and
name another man. By this means the adj
ministration were forced to the admission it has
made, that Grant-the man who has fought on
his own plans and not on theirs-was the man
to conduct the war.
If Grant, who has never failed in the past,
should fail in the future, it will be because
there is treachery in Washington. 1t will be
because in that spirit of partisan fury that for
gets all else but its object the Washington men
have determined to employ all their power to
ruin another man who stands high with the
people. At this hour the energy and in
genuity Of the adherents Of the President
are intensely concentrated on the game for the
rext Presidency. No scheme that can make
capital for them is forgotten. Wires are pulled
in legislative halls, in custom houses, post
Offices, and in contemplate county conven-
tions No one can fai! to see how infinitely
more advantageous and grand is that field upon
which successful soldier like Grant may work
for the Presidency in the campaigns Of this
summer; and the public may we'll believe that
while the politicians work in their molelike way
at the North, they will not fail to damage to
the extent Of their power the chances Of the
man who has this nobler field. But let them
take care II Grant fails through their treachery,
il will not conduce to the success of Lincoln.
1t will initiate Northern civil war. II wlll,
perhaps, destroy the public confidence in
Grant; and, the people thus cast loose from
another faith, confusion and anarchy of the
worst description must ensue; or If public order
Is still kept, the hopes Of the people will once
more fall upon General Mcclellan, and grand
tide Of popular enthusiasm will carry that hero
to the Presidency.
OrR BLocKADrSG SouADRoN-The District
Court OF the United States for the Southern
district Of Florida has been engaged for two
months past making DEGREES OF distribution in
prize cases brought before them for adjudica-
ton. The results are very satisfactory. Not
withstanding the impediments thrown in the
way of the operations of our blockadiug feet
by the head OF the Navy Department, these de-
cisions Of the Florida court show that some Of
our vessels have been more than ordinarily ac-
tive. The total sales Of prize property made
by that court from the commencement Of the
war to the LIST OF March amount 10 the sum of
s3,9s4,250, and there yet remains in the
custody Of the court property valued at
1897 900. The total sum decreed for distribu-
tion nv the court since the blockade com.