The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-12-10
"Our PresHdent.o

We find az article under this head in the
last AIeghanian; and, though loaded as ed :
itorial, it is signed ga. A. Barker" 1t is
all the worthier of a reply, since it is over
responsible name-and that name belonging
to the proprietor of the AHeghaniGn.
But, besides this, we deem it worthy of
reply, as Mr.. Barker, though an extreme
Radical, is a worthy gentleman-and one
without whom there would be no Radical
party in Northern Cambria. The fact of his
individuating himself "a very prudent course
considering the medium through which he
appears) gives his views still further claim to
our notice.
From the tenor of Mr. Barker's article in
the AHeghaHian it is plain that he does not
like the fact that Democrats acquiesce cheer
fully in the election of General Grant. The
Johpstown Tribune, on the other hand, takes
occasion to congratulate the country on the
very circumstance which Mr.. Barker depre-
Gates. These Radical journals rarely agree,
excepting on the broad platform of denounc-
ing "copperheads." In this instance we
think the Tribune right and Mr.. Barker
wrong.
Mr.. Barker seems to US to labor under the
strange delusion that Ulysses S. Grant is not
the President elect of the United States, in
Guiding all the Democrats, Radicals. men,
women, children. and negroes in the said
United States. but that he is the President
only of the unfortunate fellows who voted
for him. This we look upon as a dreadful
heresy.
General Grant is to, day. or will be on the
Fourth of March. just as much sour" Cor, if
we may drop the editorial plural } just as
much my President as he is Mr.. Barker's.
He is simply the President of the United
States-no more, no less.
But Mr. Barker thinks that the fact of the
Democratic party showing favor to Grart
would be in consideration" of a "good,
generous share of public patronage!" All!
that's the rub There's where we strike the
sore place!
Oh! no, Mr.. Barker; take. or let your
friends take. what they have fought for
Give them their "seven loaves and two
fishes'-those beloved principles for which
they fought with so much ardor and so
much success, but give as good admiuistra-
tion
But, says Mr.. Barker. "The tone Of the
Democratic people towards Gen. Grant has
wonderfully changed since the election."-
So it should. Those who then spoke loud
est against his election, believing conscien-
ciously, as they still believe, that his election
was not best for the country, now that
majority has decided against them. will treat
the President with fairness. and Judge him
by his acts
Some Democrats it is true. inprudently,
as we thought. copied the charges of Horace
Greedy. and Henry Ward Beecher, and Wen
dell Philips, against him on the subject cf
intoxication-some of them reiterated Ben.
Buffers abuse of hin-but as a general
thing they treated him fairly.
The Democratic party in opposing Grant
did so doubling whether his capacity and
experience fitted him for the trust-and they
still have misgivings on that subject. What
is more natural, then, than they. having the
good of the country at heart, should tender
him their advice and assistance in the ardu-
ous duties he has undertaken 2
No, no, Nr. Barker. you must dismiss the
Idea that the President of the United States
belongs to party. He is the property of
the nation. The Democrats will sustain
him so long as he supports that Consttu-
tuition which, ere long. he will be sworn to
support; they will "hold up his arm'' in
restoring the Union in the shape our fathers
gave it to US. When he departs from the
written law they will oppose him. If
Radicals undertake to impeach him for a
fearless performance of his duty, as they
did In the case OF their last President. the
Democrats, as they then did, will SHIELD him
from the wrong. and protect their country
from the degradation.
No man better knows than Mr.. Barker
that Radical could not have been elected
President. lie would never have thought
of Ben. Wade, or Charles Sumner, or Wen
dell Philips, or ''any other man" of has pre-
else views. as candidate. Either of those
men would have suffered a greater defeat
than Seymour.
But, even if one of them could have been
nominated, and. could have been elected, his
Radicalism would have vanished before bis
oath to support the Constitution, and to see
that the LAWS are faithfully executed. The
Partisan would have been lost in the Presi-
dent.
From and after the fourth day of March
then. General Grant is "our" President a..
much as yours-orr interest in the country
Is exactly equal to yours-and no Other
theory can be sustained for a moment.