The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-05-11
M. s,creedDe,. orGrcnt Regulations.


INC s.creedness orGrent Regulations.
One of the speakers at the Anti-Sla-
very meeting the other day, said that
he had heard Gen. Grants name Missed
at meeting of soldiers, because he
was believed to be on friendly terms
with the President. He added that the
American people would desert any
man instantly, no matter how great
his merit or his public services, who
proved untrue to their principles, y
meaning thereby their views OF public
policy. There is a great deal Of truth
in this remark, but it may be doubted
whether it is wholly creditable to the
American character. Great ability, de-
voted patriotism, aud eminent pub
lie service, ought to count for something
AS titles to public confidence, even with
men whose views of political principles
might not be fully shared. But these
pass for but little with the masses of
the people,-not only In this country
but everywhere else.-N. y. Times.
1t is not impossible the eminent edi-
tor of the Tunes penned the foregoing
with Just the least possible realization
in his own history that Republics are
ungrntefuI. Yet his own case to the
contrary, Notwithstanding, "the mass
of the people" are right in this matter.
10 all matters affecting the personal
fortunes o politicians, the mass ofpeo-
pie are honester than the politicians
themselver. They can't help but be.
The intelligent people have no stake In
the mere tricks of political jugglers,
aud judge them necessarily from u dis
interested standpoint. Whenever the
public Sc man whom they have eleya-
ted to power, using that power TO curry
favor with his former and their present
enemies. they do right to throw him
overheard, whether he be General or
President or anything else. Nomatter
whit man has done, or has the credit
of having done, in public capacity, If
he remains public man he must take
his chances Of destroying his own rep
utatiou; aud II he lives the ordinary
span lie must either be remarkably
wise or wonderfully stupid ifhe does not
do it. Because man happens to have
done the State some service, whether by
accident or design-aud which, is not
always apparent-it does not follow
that he has never-ending claim on
the public gratitude that can never be
cancelled by his subsequent follies. As
general thing man who nowadays
renders the country a great service is
not the loser by it. Take the case of
General Grant himself. He has what
Is-saye as the qualification OF politi-
cal ambition-the best position in the
country-one which may fairly be con-
sidered, in its substantial and honora-
bic rewards, lasting for life. no made
quate return for his expenditures of
patriotism and brains. Such is the
constituencies of the American people
to avoid even an appearance of in
gratitude, that we suppose he can hold
that position as long us he chooses If he
confines himselfto its legitimate duties.
But if General Grant, thirst
ing for civil honors (which he
can show no claim to) chooses
to intrigue for nomination us next
President, he lays aside the character of
" IA "AAASAA A0 40 anu
coming before us in the role OF civil
ian makes himselfin that capacity as
fair u mark for criticism as any
less favored man. In that capacity we
may add, lie has not exhibited any en-
nent abilities SO far as the. public is
aware, unless it is in the matter of re-
ticience, and that it is shrewdly sus-
pected arises from the fact that he lacks
the isnpiration which knowledge Of
somsthing to talk about usually conters
on experienced statesmen. This coun-
try has been sufficiently afflicted with
presidents OF two classes-Ist, those
who were mere ciphers in the hands of |
politicians, and ID, those who betrayed |
their principles and friends after cleo
ton. We ought to have President |
next time who has some known and
declared convictions, and who knows
enough about American craftsmanship
to stand on his own legs.