The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-08-21
GRANT MOVEMENT T,

assume definite shape, anu 10 ueEei-
ope extensive proportions. The fol-
lowing extract from letter Of the intel
ligent New York correspondent of the
N. O. Picayune will give some idea of
the agencies at work to secure his
election:
Gea. Grant has openly declared that he
has the ambition of other men to become
President; but he will not be candidate
on platform, nor will he give pledges to
any set of principles. This declaration
changes the aspect Of affairs. Indeed, i'll
is as great an event as Gen. Monks
marching on London, after the burial of the
Protector, and declaring for free parlia.
ment. That measure was the death knell
to the rule of the Puritans in England and
Grants movement forebodes similar fate
to the reign Of the saints in Washington.
Perhaps you may expect me to predict
what will follow next. But as ! have
never INDUCED in prophetical writing, it is
now too late to commence. Preferring to
record facts, and leaving your readers to
make prophecies to'suit themselves, Grants
decision is noted more as the elimination
of preceding events than as new cause of
wonder, that will produce a new state of
things. Now let me go back to explain
how and why this important step was
taken.
You must remember Grant was never
Radical, nor the son Of a Radical; it is
doubtful if ever he voted the Republican
ticket; it is certain he voted for MIR.
Buchanan in 1856. He has generally been
looked upon as a Democrat; butilike nine
tenths of the Democrats he was opposed to
secession, and in favor of reducing the
South to submission. Throughout the war
he expressed no party preference whatever
Secretary Stanton could not use him for a
factious purpose or to favor his selfish views
and personal vengeance. Grant never
failed to testify his high regard for Gen.
Mcclellan, while the War Department was
moving heaven and earth to disgrace him;
and when Gen. Sherman was doomed by
Stanton and denounced for his stipulations
with Joe Johnston, Grant sustained his
General and honored him in defiance of
official obloquy. Since the war he visited
South Carolina and other Southern States,
from whence he made report on their
condition and opinions, which was gall and
NORWOOD to the Radicals. Not d word
has been uttered by him approving of the
reconstruction acts, but he has been
solicitous and jealous for the South to
adopt them as the better choice between
evils. When Congress endeavored to SUI
persede the President by giving the control
I of the conquered provinces to the general
in-chiefof the armies, Grant quietly ignored
the legislative improperly, and as a good
soldier, awaited and carried out all instruc.
tons of his superior officer, the "Comman
der-in- Chief of the Army and Navy of the
United States" In his published cores
pondence with Che reconstruction generals
he has not in any instance deyiated from
the line Of policy laid down by the Cabinet
| for governing the South. The Attorney
Generals opinion was not ordered by hin
to be obeyed, because it had not beer
published to the army as an order. Some
therefore, have supposed Grant treated the
opinion with disrespect; but he only die
Z what finished soldier would do, he viewee
it as no business of his until it was made
his business by publications through th'
; proper channel aud such publications neve
(. was made. He cautioned the generals
: against removing civil officers, and so far a
f is known he has disapproved Of them. II
oil things military he has done his duty
, and in all things political he has KEEP
4. his mouth shut. Gen. Monk was not NOR
silent and sparing ofhis words.
For the last few years, the Radicals hav
endeavored to use Gen. Grant as Stanton
: tried but have failed as Stanton failed
AT last, when all means were ofno avail
n they were content to spread the report tina
he approved of their course and policy, wei
. knowing their course and policy had no
q received his sanction. Meanwhile, the,
e were pursuing their revolutionary measures
: which they were pleased to style progress,
!, under the specious and false maxim tina
u revolutions never go backward, and wit
S the deceptive motto that the world moves
n - =
t Such being the posture of affairs, eth
t time has arrived for Gen. Grant to spea
out, and having spoken decidedly to accer
of a nomination, his friends, along wit
II many true friends of their country, hav
n resolved to support him. The time, mod
d and manner of making denomination ha
:, not as yet been determined, but from tn
: various quiet conferences between prom
> nent men of both parties, and betwee
{" influential clubs on both sides in the prime
q pal cities, the movement will soon assum
I definite shape, The moderate Republ
r cans are striving to. bring over the bulk,
i their party to control the nomination If
l. Vice President. Mindful also of the fai
4 ure of the Philadelphia Convention, la
9 year, they do not intend to break with tt
u Radicals until their strength is augmente
( to break with safety when the eonventic
i meets next year The aspirants for offic
a meanwhile are shifting their positions al
=, trimming their sails to catch the comil
u breeze" .r 80,
There seems to have obtained #
some time past the opinion that Il
~ party which shall go into thene2t Pre-
idential contest with the support of Il
General in chief Of the Army, partic
: larIy if it shall entrust its leadership
! him as it's standard bearer, will be su
to come off victorious. Hence the
!, forts which have been made to secu
- the declaration of General Grant in
- vor of the principles of each of the co
tending parties, and to produce the il
preston that his views have ever hi
! monised with this or that political
- ganization. It is known that he was
IN Wing up to the Presidential campai
~ of 1866, and that he voted that year
Buchanan and Breckenridge, the nor
b.. nces of the Democratic party. But
l., You'd these facts his polical views ha
remained concealed within q bosom
| LIZ