The Portland daily press., 1867-08-15
Needless Anxiety.

General Grant is one of the most success
ful military men and most skilful. taciticians
of the age, but he is not, as many people
suppose, a sort of Atlas, sustaining the whole
political fabric on his shoulders, though a
small constellation of four stars does rest
there. If the hero of Fort Donelson, Vicks
burg, Richmond and Long Branch should un-
happily disappear in a cloud of tobacco
smoke, the world and even the United States
government would go on just the same. Far
be it from us to disparage the character or
criticise the action of the General of our ar
mics. He has neither done nor said any
thing yet that, from all we kn ow OF his stua-
tion, is calculated to abate one !jot of the con-
fidence and affection with which he is regard
ed by the American people. If, by his action
in accepting the position relinquished by Mr.
Stanton seemingly with so much reluctance,
he had in reality committed himself to the
support of the Presidents policy, we protest
against regarding it as matter of
| frightful import as many individuals do. No
one in America can say, as in France, "The
state, It's II Within the narrower limits of
political parties there is the same ex-mp-
ton from the overshadowing influence and
power of single individuals. The detection
of one man, no matter who he is, can never
effect the ruin of political party the princi-
piles and aims of which commend themselves
to the patriotism and good judgment of the
people, Gen. Mcclellan was once popular
favo1ite and the pet darling of the Republi-
| can party, yet the party has survived his
withdrawal, and is as vigorous as ever four
years from the date of that catastrophe. In
fact it is full third stronger than it was four
years ago, though it has lost, meanwhile.
some Of its most prominent leaders by apos-
Uasy, and one by assassination. Its increased
strength is due to its fidelity to principle, and
not to any accessions to its ranks from the So
called great men of the country. Where it
has been false to the great fundamental doc
trines of its creed, as in Connecticut, it has
failed. Seward and Weed withdrew in New
York, and gave the whole weight Of their in
fluence against the party, but the election
showed how little influence they had when
| unsustained by those principles Of right for
which they had formerly professed an at
tachment Raymond, too, occupied posi-
ton which at least rendered his support of
the Republican ticket useless, even if he was
not altogether in accord with the enemy.
Laboriny under these seeming disadvantages
| the Radicals of New York triumphed. But
in neighboring State, where they refused to
declare for equal rights, they suffered an ig
nominious defeat, though only Dixon went
| over to the enemy.
| 1t is folly to suppose that because one man
or thou sand men are unfaithful, the Repub-
lican party will be obliged to cease from its
great work ofbuilding up genuine democrat
ic state. The destiny of the world as well
as of the country is in some measure
committed to its care. II it fails of sue
cess in having equal rights secured by
constitutional and legal provisions, democ-
racy in America is, for the time,
a failure Having failed here under compare
lively favorable circumstances, how can it be
expected that the Liberals of France OF
Italy will ever gain ascendency9 The sacred
nature of the trust committed to them, the
great mass Of the Republican party instinc-
lively apprehe ld, and nothing but the malig-
nifty Of fate can turn them back from press
ing on in the work they are in"
So far as Grant is concerned, however, bis
late action ought to be regarded as new evi-
dence of his patriotism and of his soundness
on the political questions of the hour. There
cannot be the slightest doubt that he has a
perfect understanding with the suspended
Secretary of War, and that he did not accept
the position Of Secretary dd interim without
consultation with him. 1t is as well known
as any fact in current political history thai
Grant and Stanton agree on reconstruction
on the removal Of Sheridan and on the true
Interpretation of the acts of Congress. GRAM
has simply relieved Stanton from an enbar
RAISING situation. The latter could not retir,
voluntarily, because the public interest woult
suffer he could not remain after the motto
, from the President that his services were n,
longer required without violence to his sell