The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-10-17
Cen. Graut,s Position and views.

The Hon. E. B. Washburne recently made
speech in Illinois, from which we make
the following extract. ! Mr.. Washburne is
an intimate friend of Gen. Grant, and no
doubt speaks from thorough knowledge of
his views. We entertain no doubt that Mr.
Washburne has correctly stated Gen. Grants
position and views:
Mr.. w. proceeded to speak of Gen U. s.
Grant. He had gone out from Joe Davies
County six years ago and upward, and since
then had chained his name to the history of
the world. His fellow citizens, therefore,
had more than an ordinary interest in all
that pertained to him, and they had in all
the vicisstudes of the war, amid obloquy,
calumny, and detrac,ion, given him their
confidence and support. He said it was not
strange that when the loyal masses of the
country were agitated by the gravity Of the
situation, public attention should be turned
to the General OF the armies of the United
States. 1t was not surprising that many
people should be sensitive and exacting, and
perhaps disposed to unjust criticisms, and
should be agitated by imaginary fears. But
the fellow citizens of Gen. Grant, who had
followed his career from the beginning, and
who knew the man, had never any anxiety
in regard to his position, and any fears that
he would not in the future, as in the past,
realize the fullest expectations of the loyal
people of the country. But many false ideas
had obtained. Many people had looked
upon Gen. Grant as they would upon a CT
william and a politician, and even a candidate
for civil office. They would seem to demand
that he should make known his political
views on the hustings and through the news
papers, with all the arts OF the common dem
agogue. The public had no more right to
expect Gen. Grant " to speak out" than they
had to expect Lieut.. Gen. Sherman, Gen.
Meade, Gen. Sheridan, or Gen. Thomas to
make public their political views. The Gen
eral was not in the habit of proclaiming
himself to the world by words, but like
wise man had always made his record
through his acts. Though not speaking for
the public, no man was more frank in ex-
pressing his views on all public matters. He
was raised in the Wing school of politics
His venerable father, SO wel-known in Ga
lena, was always an active and influential
member of the old Wing party, and after it
went out of existence, of the Republican
party. The General was always Wing, so
far as he was a politician at all, and never
belonged to, or had any sympathy with, the
so-caled Democratic party. He stated this
as Il fact. Had Gen. Grant been a member
of the Democratic party he would have been
in the same position as he now is, and the
same as all the most loyal and patriotic men
who were in that party now occupy. Though
not voter in Illinois in 1860, yet after
Mr.. Lincolns administration common
ced, and after the firing upon Sumter, there
was no man who ssave more earnest support
to that administration. Gen Grant was
among the first to comprehend the results
that would grow out of the Rebellion, and
the country will not forget that us early as
1868 he wrote letter saying that us anxious
as lie was for peace, he did not wish to see
it established until Slavery was wiped out.
In 1864 he was profoundly anxious Tor the
reelection of Mr.. Lincoln, and no man more
fully comprehended the great fact upon his
reelection hinged the success of our cause
and the suppression of the Rebellion. He
so far depart ed from his usual course in such
matters us to write and permit the publica
ton of letter, in which he briefly and en-
phatically summed up the whole question.
The letter was published by hundreds of
thousands by the Republican Congressional
Committee and exerted great influence in
the country He was openly and strongly for
both the Constitutional amendments, and
he hailed the Reconstruction act of the
XXXIXth Congress as the solution of our
difficulties, and he entered upon the dis
charge OF his duties under that act with zeal,
vigilance, and fidelity. Sympathizing with
Congress in its action, and approaching the
importance of its being in session. he urg
ed and advised such action us would secure
an extra session, it necessary. When that
session came, he expressed the most Serious
fears of the effect OF long adjournment, and
with a far-reaching sagaclty, anticipating
the precise state of things that has occurred,
he use,l all his influence with Senators to
have them adopt the House provision of the
amending bill requiring the assent of the
Senate to the removal of the district COM
manders. Favoriug Reconstruction acts, no
effort OF his has been wanting to secure their
enforc ement in their letter and spirit, to the
end that the Union might be speedily and
fully restored. He believes there is no pro-
lection or safety to the colored people and
the lcval people in the Rebel States, except
through impartial suffrage. The Recon-
struction acts having recognized the entire
equality of all American citizens in the
States lately in rebellion, he believes that
consistency as we'll as impartial justice de-
mand that there should be no discrimination
against any class of persons in any of the
States His sympathies, his convictions, and
his hopes are now, as they always have been,
with the great patriotic and loyal people
that carried the country through the war;
He is IL favor of unfolding the honor and
credit Of the National government. aud
holds that all our obligations must be dis
charged in conformity to the terms on which
they were contracted. He thinks that there
should be exercised by Il Congress and by
all depart nlents Of the Government Il more
rigid and searching economy in the expen-
ditures of the public money. And where
ever lie h las had control he has struck off
every useless expense and reformed every
abuse. Glen. Grant occupies at the present
time the position of Secretary of War, ad
interim, in the Cabinet of Mr.. johnson.
His action in accepting that position had
been the subject of a great deal OF comment.
1t excited the fears of many good and loyal
men, It invoke ed the denunciations of enc
mics, and brought forth the excuses offriends
He accepted that position, not, has been
alleged, in obedience to the commands of a
superior officer, but from a stern sense of
duty to his: country. The President had de-
termined to remove the Secretary of War at
all hazards and without excuse or justifca-
ton. The, President thought to relieve him
self FROM tn odiumof Mr.. Stanton's removal,
,,l lr,,y attoution from, that action bv