The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-04-13

Wendell Phillips ON the Political SIT
uAtion-The Presidential Impeach.
ment-Andrcw johnson Disaccted-
The Radical Recommendation Pro.
grRmme-GeneraI Grant and the
Presidency.
MuscArINE, Iowa, April5, 1867.
Dear Standard,-It is of course needless
for me to tell you Of my interest in your
abors; yet | do not know that | have
anything else to tell you. Thus far dis
tant from the centre of public affairs,
hardly dare to risk any conjectures before
your readers. 1t seems to us off here that
the Forticth Congress dares not impeach
the President. The patronage of the Exc
cutive has been too strong temptation Tor
congressional virtue to resist. How CRATE
fully the members pick up every little
crumb of comfort that can be got from any
slight show of Difference to their opinion
on the part of Johnson? Again and again
have Itrembled lest the two parties should
fraternize they yielding nine tenths and he
yielding nothing except gracious phrases.
Still think We, may have great trust in
the stolid obstinacy Of Johnson. That is
reliance which has never yet failed us, and
the stock seems inexhaustible. Were he
an ordinary man, simply mulish, should
be tempted to despair. A little comph-
ance with the temper Of the people, and a
seeming submission to the military law,
would largely reInstate him in public re-
spect and sympathy. But with his sublime
sclfconcet, and his entire belief that the
North is really with him, think we may
trust him so as to astound the public and
exaSpcratc Congress that in due time he
will either be impeached or wholly crippled
in his executive power. The Kentucky
aud Tennessee mules are the finest in the
world. If any man doubts it, let him
watch our history the next five years.
Without counting, therefore, much on
the virtue or intelligence of Congress, ]
look for constant progress in the right di
rcction. Lord John Russell, you remem-
Der, talked Of the reform bill of 1881 as
" tnality." So some men seem to fancy
the military bill "fnality." 1t is only
a halfway house on the congressional road
from Lincoln to Stevens. The train stops
there to wood and water, gets rid of some
passengers and large amount of baggage,
to 60 forward at an increased speed.
All our duty is to press constantly on
the nation the absolute need of three
things:
/. The exercise of the whole police
power of the Government to hold the South
quiet while the seeds of republicanism get
planted.
2. The constitutional amendment, Sc
curing universal suffrage in spite of all
State legislation.
8. A constitutional amendment autho-
rizing Congress to Establish common schools
in any State destitute OF them at the States
expense.
For these measures we must educate the
public mind. These are the soil in which
the seeds of good government and equal
rights can alone be trusted.
But ] think we must direct our care
little further ahead. johnson is watched,
and will be impeaChed or crippled. The
next important question is, to whom shall
the nation give the helm for the next four
years? If Democrat gets it, we shall
lose two-thirdS of the fruits Of the war. If
a compromiser has it, we shall lose one
half. With radicalism at the helm, we
may save two-thirds of what we have
earned. In that next four years the pres
sure from business men for the Govern
conditions, the old channels of business,
will be irresistible. The republican lead
crS having secured Gf they do seCure)
party triumph, by keeping the South out
of the Electoral College of 1868, will give
way. The next administration, therefore,
must be expected 10 settle this question.
The bias of that man who occupies the
White House then will be of immense i'm
portance.
Now the country is drifting into the
presidency of General Grant-a man of
whose political ideas Gf he has any no
man tell us anything. The first assertion
of his friends is that he is a safe man, be-
cause he has no political ideas and will be
in good hands. Alas. our present incubus
was once in good hands. Next time We
want a man with brains and heart Of his
own, not one who depends on being grid
ed and guided "whithcr he will not"
Astounding madness! Republicans tell us
they must nominate Grant, else the Demo-
Gratis will. In these hours, when the ma
ton agonizcs for existence, we take man
for our leader so lacking in principle that
he will suit either party equally well.
Two armies in deadly fight, one delibe-
rately chooses for its leader such perfect
Swiss that the other will clutch him if the
first does not. Lincoln's fear Of Kentucky
did US infinite harm. l hope Grants love
for it will not be allowed to do us more.
Memphis, New Orleans, and Baltimore are
enough to show how Grant does his mill
tary duty. Do they encourage us to trust
him with any civil ones!
WENDELL PHILLIPS.