The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-11-14
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.
EDrToRTAn oPuHoEs OF THE LEADING yoUREALs
UPoN CURREET ToPIos-CoMPILED EvERI
DAT ron THR EVENING TELEGRAPH.

The Political Buzzards and Gen. Graut.
From the N. Y. Times.
We have seen nothing more amusing for
long time than the concerted and desperate
crusade from all quarters made upon General
Grant, to force from him political declara-
tion of some sort or other. The Tribune ex
presses the general feeling which animates
the whole army of crusaders, when it declares
it does not care ,ohat he says, but insists on
his saying something. They all feel in pre-
oisely this way. They want something to
''pitch into" on one side or the other. A
Presidential candidate who can't be attacked
is simply a nuisance. He spoils business.
What are the hangers-on OF parties TO 90 with
suoh man What hold will anybody have
on him for Office after he is elected This
sort of thing must be stopped. Grant must
be made to say something; and no matter what
he says, it will give somebody chance to
assail him-and then political business can
begin again.
the movement If Washington report may be
credited, he has been buzzing about General
Grant like a bee in a tar barrel-seeking
private interviews, holding private conversa-
tions and trying in every way to get some
show of authority either for saying that Grant
is q radical, or that he isn't. The Boston Post
seems to have been made the organ of his
revelations, but the reporter of that sprightly
journal very decidedly overdid the business.
He seems to have thought it his cue to
present the General as not only decidedly
hostile to the radicals, but as bitterly enraged
with all his friends who represent him as
having the slightest liberation for them or their
opinions. Probably it was supposed that this
would bring out an an official correction, at
the very least, and that might serve as good
IF
sentiments. But it brings nothing but a fiat
denial of the whole story, and a repetition of
the assurance that nobody has any authority
to speak for the General on political and party
questions.
On the other side of the case, Colonel Forney
comes into the ring The Colonel has keen
scent, and generally knows whether he is run
ming with the hare or hunting with the
hounds-though it makes not the slightest
difference. The radical demigods who have
absorbed his worship for the last two years,
having been somewhat shaken on their pedes-
tails by the late elections, he proposes to trans
fer his devotion to the rising sun, and accord
ingly comes out for General Grant. But
in order to be consistent (for the versatile
Colonel is ''nothing if not consistently he
devotes five columns of his ''two newspapers,
both daily, " to prove that the General is
radical of the most radical type-and this he
sends forth, more Suo, with mysterious init
nations that it goes under high authority,
with official sanction, ETC. etc. This was pre-
oisely the red rag which brings on the bull.
The Copperheads, Democrats, and Rebels
make a fresh rush upon the General, with
catechisms in Handspring at last to get dis
Chalmers sufficiently specific to serve their pur-
pose. But all they get is the assurance that
General Grant knew nothing about the pro-
nuncidmentO, and that Colonel Forney had no
more authority to speak for him than any
body else.
And SO the game goes on. Both parties are
securing the whole political field for proof that
Grant is on one side or the other. Washburne
declared some time ago that the General agreed
with Congress. Kelley declares now that he is
a radical. General Rawlns made a speech
which expressed his own opinions, and that is
quoted as proof of Grants. Blair AYERS that
Grant agrees with the President, and Wendell
Phillips is alternately puzzled and enraged,
because the General will not tell the world
with whom he does agree and with whom he
don't.
Now, all this is meant for mischief, but it
will do none. These political buzzards were
never half so innocently employed as they are
now in quarrellipg about what General Grant
won't say. They certainly cannot harm him.
He is not likely to be either coaxed or goaded
into such declarations as they demand He is
sought by the people for the Presidency, not
for his opinions, but for his character; not be-
cause ne is lOr congress ana against the PreSl-
dent, nor because he is for the President and
against Congress; not because he is for negr)
voting or against it; but because he is known
everywhere to love his country above any
party-to seek its honor, its peace, and its
prosperity far more than the triumph OF any
party, any section, or any man.
No man who knows anything of his public
action since the war broke out, will deem him
capable of throwing away any of the results
of the war, or of putting at hazard any of the
principles which the war has established. No
man will suspect him of consenting even in
thought to send back the negroes into slavery
or of denying them any civil, political, or per-
sonal rights which the war has won for them
or which are essential to their protection in
life, liberty, and the pursuit Of happiness.
But the people rely upon his character and his
acts far more than upon specific pledges and
written declarations for this assuranoe-and
they are content with this reliance.
When the proper time shall come General
Grant will undoubtedly give the country a
clear and satisfactory statement of his views
on public affairs; but meantime we presume
he will maintain the obtinate silence which
seems so displeasing to his enemies, and to
nobody else.