The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-07
POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

position OF General Grants Political
Opinions.
CHICAGO, ILL.,, Oct. 6.-At the 10 Daviess
County Republican Convention, h Id yesterday
at Galena, Illinois. Hon. e. B. Washburne made
very succinct speech on the political ques-
tions before the country, aud in the course of it
defined General Grants position very much In
detail. Knowing Mr. Washburnes intimate re-
lations with General Grant, the speech has oc-
casloned very general interest here. La the
course of his speech Mr.. Washburne said:-
Many people had looked upon General Grant
as they would upon civilian and 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 newspapers with all the arts OF
the common demagogue. The public had no
more right to expect General Grant to speak out
than they had to expect Lieuten t-General
Sherman, General Meade, General Sheridan, or
General Thomas TO make public their political
views. The General was not in the habit OF pro-
claiming 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 expressing hie views
on all public matters. He was raised in the
| Whig school OF politics. His venerable father,
| so we'll known in Galena, was always an active
| and influential member of the old Whig party,
| and, after 1t went out OF existence, of the Re-
publican party. The General was always Wing,
| so far AS he was a politician at ALL and never
! belonged to or had any sympathy at all with the
| so-calIed Democratic party.
Hfd General Grant been q 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 ia
| that party now occupy. Though not voter in
Illinois in 1860, yet, after Mr.. Lincoln's admins
| tIaton commenced, and after the firing upon
Sumter, there was no man who gave more ear
| nest support to that administration. General
Grant was among the first to comprehend the
results that would grow out of the Rebellion,
and the country will not forget that, as early as
| 1863 he wrote letter saying that, anxious as he
| W
blished until slavery was wiped out In 1864 he
| IVES profoundly anxious for the reelection of
MIR. Lincoln, aud no man more fully compre-
| hended the great fact that upon his reelection
hinged the success OF our cause and the sup
preston of the Rebellion.
He so far departed from his usual course In
such matters as to write and permit the publica-
tion of letter in which he briefly and emphati
cally summed up the whole question. The letter
was published by hundreds OF thousands by the
Republican Congressional Committee, and ex-
erted great influence in the country. He was
openly and strongly for both the Constitutional
Amendments, and he hailed the Reconstruction
act of the Thrty.ninth 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. Sympa,hizing with
Congress in its action, and appreciating the
Importance of its being IN session, he urged
and advised such action as would secure an
extra session, II necessary. When that session
came, he expressed the most serious fears
OF the effect of long adjournment aud with a
tar-reachiIg saeacity, anticipating the precise
state of things that has occurred he used all his
influence with Senators to have them adopt the
House provision of the amended bill requiring
the assent of the Senate to the removal of the
district commanders. FaVorng the Reconstruc-
ton acts no effort OF his has been wanting to
spirit to the end that the Union might be
speedily end fully restored. He believes there
is no protection or safety to the colored people
and the loyal white people in the Rebel States,
except through Impartial suffrage.
The Reconstruction acts having recognized the
entire equality OF all American citizens in the
States lately in rebellion, he believes that con-
sistency, as well as impartial justice, demands
that there should be no discrim nation 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 couu-
try through the war; He is in favor of uphold
ing the honor and credit of the national Govern
be discharged in conformity to the terms on
which they were contracted. He thinks
there should be exercised by Congress and
by all departments of the Government
more rigid and searching economy in the
expenditure of the public money, and
wherever he has had control he has struck Off
every useless expense, and reformed every
abuse. General Grant occupies at the present
time the position of Secretary of War dd interim
in the Cabinet OF Mr.. Johnson. His action in
accepting the position had been the subject of a
great deal of comment, and excited the fears of
many good and loyal men. II invoked the de-
nunclation of enemies, and brought forth the
excuses of friends. He accepted that position,
not, as has been alleged, in obedience to the
commands of a superior officer, but from tue
stern sense OF duty to his country. The Pres-
dent had determined to remove the Secretary
War at all hazards, and without excuse or JUS
tifcatiOn,
The President thought to relieve himself from
the Odium OF Mr.. Stanton's removal and draw
attention from that action by offering the place
| to General Grant. What was to be done
Should the General step into the shoes of Mr..
Stanton, and WELD all the legitimate powers OF
the department in aid of reconstruction and in
support of the district commanders In the
management of the Indian war and the super
vision of war contracts, should he be there to
resist the raid OF the thieves and plunderers and
war claim agents whom Stanton had held at
| bay and who we're waiting to thrust their arms
info the Treasury to flch untold millions of the
public money? Or should he refuse, and per
nit that most important position to be filled by
a Copperhead and johnson man, who would
hinder reconstruction, who would demoralizc the
, army, who would sanction fraudulent and bogus
| claims of Rebels and bring reproach generally
upon the public service? General Grant did not,
| therefore, hesitate to accept the position and
| ALI It's responsibilities, and his action had the
| concurrence of Mr.. Stanton. Indeed, no steps
were taken in that whole business except upon
| fuIl consultation and understanding between
| those two distinguished men under such cir
cumstances. The loyal men of the country
wouId have had good cause to censure General
| Grant had he received the position. The very
men who had censured him most for taking II
| would now have been censuring him for not
| taxing It. They would have said that, profess
| inc 10 be In sympathy with loyal men,
| and in favor of reconstruction, he shrank
from the responsibility OF place offered
. | IA him in which he could have been OF
49, Nl,ao AtTu md hu cuph