The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-21

as very moderate Federalist, striving TO hold
the balance between the rival parties, and
eventually became a decided supporter Of
Federal. doctrines, doing more for the party
than was expected Of him at his election.
General Taylor, who defined himself as a
'Whig, but not an ultra Whig," and from
whom, large STAKEHOLDER, no shadow Of favor
towards free-sOil doctrines might have been
expected, proved himself as good a Wing as
anybody wanted, and a more effective advocate
Of measures which could only result in the
exclusion Of slavery from the new Territories
than any avowed Free-soiler.
Had he lived through his term, Il Is almost
certain that the infamous Fugitive Slave bill
could never have passed, and that Texas
would have received no bribe 20 induce her
20 surrender New Mexico, while II Is not inn
probable that Southern treason would have
been sternly crushed by Southern man.
A wise though severe decree ordered il other
wite. A Northern man, formerly in sym
pathy with moderate Abolitonists, and univer-
sally supposed, before his election, TO be a
Free-soiler, succeeded TO the Presidency, and
by his influence brought about all the humili-
ating events Of 1850, thus leading the South
into the abyss Of 1860.
Applying these lessons Of histsry TO the
political affairs Of the present day, II appears
to us that the masses Of the Republican party
desire guarantee that the work Of rsoOnstruo-
tion upon the basis OF equal suffrage shall be
carried on TO success, yet In such spirit Of
moderation as shall ensure good government,
and prevent the unchecked supremacy Of
either race at the South over the other. The
majority of the party, in short, want to estab-
lish equality at the South-not TO give dominion
to either side. A large and important mi
nority would prefer TO leave a qualified and
carefully restrained dominion to the white
race exclusively; while there is but a very
small minority in favor Of giving exclu-
sive dominion, or anything equivalent to
it, to the negro race. A Presidential nomi-
nation is to be made which shall unite
in cordial assent all wings OF the Re-
publican party, and secure the control Of
public affairs to men Of Republican sentiments.
That General Grant will command the enthu-
siastic support of all who are called conserva-
tive Republicans, there is no doubt. That he
is the choice OF great majority Of the party,
acting spontaneously and quite irrespeotvsly
of the manipulations to which a well known
and veteran politician attaches suon import
ance is certain. But the active interest taken
in the Generals success by suspicious class
of politicians and his own reticence and non
political character, excite Gas we have before
said) distrust in the minds OF some Of the
most earnest and faithful Republicans. They
want a guarantee against renewal of the
Tyler and Johnson experiences, and are unwill-
ing TO accept candidate purely upon trust.
General Grant is in a position of great deli
oacy, and one in which he can better serve his
country than he can as mere candidate for
the Presidency. He is in command of the
army, subject to the President, and to him
only. Would it be decorous or desirable for
him to make speeches, or write letters, or
enter into conversation for the purpose of indi-
eating his opposition to the policy of his supe-
riOr oficerl We do not admire the spectacle
of President making speeches in opposition
to coordinate branches Of the Government; but
still less should we like to see the General of
the Army engaged in arousing public feeling
against his own commander. The only thing
that could be more offensive would be the
servility which should lead him to go out of
the path of duty to tlatter his superior. Gene
raj Grant is at present a purely military man,
and the less soldiers, as such, have to do with
debating our civil policy, the better will 1t be
for us as people.
But whenever, in the course of regular duty,
General Grant has had occasion to express an
opinion, his sentiments have proved satisfac-
tory. His views upon the admission of the
Southern States, in 1865, were not entirely in
harmony with those of the Republican party
in 1866; but upon the aspect of affairs, as he
then saw them, majority Of the party would
probably have agreed with him. The senti-
ments of his correspondence with the Presi-
dent during last summer must have been salts
factory to every radical who was not deter
mined to object to him. His acts are as un-
exceptionable as those Of any other public
man. He has selected and sustained, so far as
was in his power, assistants in the work COM
mitted to him who were faithful, efficient, and
resolved to carry out the will of Congress. He
has, therefore, a record and it is one entirely
consistent with the policy Of the Republican
party.
Again, there is no successful general OF the
war, still in service, to whom the same objec-
tions, or more serious ones, could not be
made. Yet what radical Republican has had
reason to complain of Thomas, Sheridan, or
Schofeld? There seems to be something in
their vocation which makes real soldiers more
obedient to the people, and more faithful to
the spirit of the nation, than other classes of
public men. They do not travel as rapidly in
political affairs as some other men, but they
are at least as certain to arrive at a sound con-
clusiOn, and they make thorough work when
they reach it.
We have no such absolute iaith in General
Grant as would lead us to favor his nomina-
tion independent of party, or without any dis
tinct enunciation OF principles. He must,
when the proper time arrives, be put upon a
sound political platform, and must stand there.
Much will depend upon the men who gather
round him, and upon his own opinion Of their
relative values. But this is true of every ser
want of the public, and only adds to the rea-
sons why good men should take such part in
his support as will entitle them to his conf
dence. All the disreputable politicians of the
Republican party are focking around the
Grant 1ag-not that they care for Grant, but
that they may secure the spoils of victory.
We believe that a majority Of the best men
are satisfied of the Generals integrity, ability,
and fidelity to the party and we hope that
I, - iVnHrr ah oil