The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1867-09-14
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.
Wendell Phillips Views on General Grants
Acceptance Of the War Office.
From the Anti-Slavery Standard.


When offer poor for act be sure they have
good give. The journals betray lurking dis
of the propriey of General Grants in assuming the
War department by the they make invent poor
for it.
They tell the General obliged, as military subor-
dinate to obey the Presidents order If the was without
any doubt good one why seek to it the ground
of compuson? When Chase accepted the Enthusiastically
nobody went about find excuses for him. Ah gentlemen
this act of General Grant cannot think good else
you would not seek to rob him of its merit and make
body else responsible for it.
But we cannot do such dscredt the leading journals of
the Republican party to suppose they believe their
General Grant is the Presidents military subor
dinate-no civil The President has right to order
him to report for duty Westinghouse give advice the
Indian waro sit military commission All such orders
Grant is obliged to obey.
But the President has right to order Grant to paint the
White House. take charge of its garden prepare report
for the amendment of the tariff do any other civil duty
Now, the War Department is civil office These same
journals age that johnson cannot Stanton because
that is forbidden by the Civil Office Tenure thus clearly
confessng that the Secrearyship of War civil office as
of course u.s. Mr. johnson might therefore, righuly
order Grant hoe potatoes behind the White House.
the War Department. The journals know this So
does General Grant
Indeed the President his communication to Grant does
order him. but authorizes and empowers him to act
Secretary And although Grants letter Stanton speaks
confusedy of the Presidents directing assume' the
Office still he has enough to add Gin notifying you of
my acceptance Now ubordnates orders they
obey them.
take this Office it said he obliged to accompany
johnson that sgracefu Western On both occasions
oadies the mistakes and serviy of their idol
The offering OF such empty gives painful doubts
of the mood in which Grant and his friends this
ment Congress represents the Republican party. Stanton
belongs it that is his ofense in ohnsons eyes, If Grant
Republican, by what rule of party fidelity doeshe accept
the office out of which Stanton has been turned simply for
being Republican? According all the well known rules
of parties Grant declares himself not Republican Any
who remembers Tyes time will recall facts proving this
The President put Grant into Stanton place only to divert
tpublc attention. and soften the Indignation at Stanton
moval with the content at Grants appointment Grant will
bridge from Stanton to Steedman other
hanger-on of the White House.
No doubt the President intended to the District
| Commanders Then he sees Grant must either hold on
and be responsible for it. or resign and make way for OF
Johnsons creatures The only other alternative that Grant
should submit sherdans and still hold office under
| the plea of preventing more mischief.
This is the plea under which Stanton has remained in office
He has worn it to rags.
This course is sacrifice of personal honor Itdegrades
from Cabinet officer into spy. At such time
Buchanans last six monhsthe whole Government honey
combed with treasonsuch is allowable, it is in
But in ordinary times honorable would stoop
to it. In ordinary times theory of citizenship calls
to spy and listen under the windows, and stand before
the world responsible for policy he abhors in ORDER by
such degradation his country 81 will die to
my country" said the old Scotsman "but will not do
thing her" It is time that Americans learned
this lesson Forgetting it the poison that ate out all
national character in times past.
Besides, honest consorting with knaye in order to
prevent their doing mischief is false philosophy 1t the
presence of honest in the that enables it do
mischief If years ago Stanton and other reputable
had quilted Johnson the plea which they privately allowed
that he traitor he would have been checkmaed and
thrown overheard.
To-day if Grant had answered the President accordngt
what asserted to be his private pnon "sr have
authority suspend Stanton and denying that right as
well detecting the policy which leads you wish his ss
pension decline to accept the place." Johnson could not
have suspended Stanton Cheered taught and sustained by
such an act on Grants part the public would have exhibited
such indignation Johnson and such approval OF Grants
gallant fidelity his comrade and his principles as to nave
oyerawed Johnson If after that he had dared to suspend
Stanton decent would have accepted the post ana
the Congress assembled Johnson would have ceased
to reign n.
To-day Grant is the staff which holds up the traitor freS
dent. Without him johnson could neither stand nor wall"
Grant to-day enables the President to go on ana re4Re
Sheridan 1t will be in vain for Grant to resign Wle e
act is done and cry out disapprove" AS well
accompce who hands the dagger the murderer cry out
when the victim is dead, II disapproye:" D ~