The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1868-02-06
Gen. Grant and the Presidency

A prominent merchant Of Winches
ter has received a circular giving the
proceedings Of Grant meeting in New
city, of which one A. T. Stewart,
the merchant worth millions, was chair
man. Over his signature, or name,
Mr.. Stewart asks all to whom this cir
cular is sent to respond and give the
feelings Of the peoplei in regard to Uys-
SEES, and suggests that Il meeting be call
ed in every town and hamlet for the
purpose Of giving expression to the
feelings of the people for Grant--the
peoples candidate This New York
meeting nominated him, and refused to
give any pIatform-thought the people
were tired of platforms, and that U. S.
Grant was platform enough of himself.
In. this respect they beat the convention
that nominated Bell and Everett upon
the platform of the Union, Constitution
and Enforcement of the Laws, and got
most wofully beaten.
Now, as to any Grant meeting in
Winchester, we think it would be a per
feet abortion so far as the sense and
honor of the people are concerned. The
Southern people are Inundated, it is
true, and grievc to see their former
slaves placed over them and invested
with the elective franchise while they
are denied the right to cast a vote to
protect their interests. They grieve
to see negroes, who " no property,
voting to tax their property for the pur-
pose Of keeping q few mean white JAG
obins in office. they grievc to see the
ballot. box made the instrument here Of
oppression and good and true men ban
ished from the exercise of that repre-.
sentative power which ought to 60
along with taxation; they gricve to see
bayonets used in times of peace to en-
force the most Internal and %tyrrannical,
and unconstitutional measures /; all this
and much more they grieve to sec, but
cannot see any relief in an enthusiasm
for a man like Grant, whose silence
when the Country is on the brink of
ruin, and when q Rump Congress is
passing measures for their still farther
degradation by putting this same Grant
over them as Dictator,--whOse silence,
we repeat, under such circumstances
becomes in the highest degree Grimm.
al. 1t is well enough to keep q still
tongue in time Of war when movements
ofarmies are on foot, but in times like
these when the very likelihood ola ma
tior IS ebbing when a body of Usur.
pers arc overthrowing the Constitution
of sui Fathers, disregarding all the
maxims and ~injunctions Of those who
framed cur republican form Of govern
mont, it becomes to the last degree nec-
essary that silence should not pail q
mans sentiments. II we, as a disfran.
chised individual may be allowed to
speak, we would say to Mr.. Stewart
that he might rs well try TO burn up
the icebergs of the Northern Seas, with
a lucifer match, as to attempt to kindle
a flame Of enthusiasm in the breasts of
people, who were reared under the
teachings of Calhoun, Clay and Jack
sou, for q man like Grant, who would
not, without q moments hesitation, de.
hounce the infamy Of Rnmp Congress
in trying to place him as Dictator over
them. Death but not dishonor ought
to be the feeling Of every Southern
man, upon such q question. Gen.
Grant has not exhibited the least part
ola statesman, and we for one are hear.
tily sick of those time serving demo.
Gratis and toadies who are trying to force
the high position of Chief Magistrate
upon shoulder. straps that have failed to
render tina! obedience due q superior,
as Grant refused to obey President
Johnson. We agree in full with the
New York Express when it says:
No man has had more personal popu.
lsrity in this country than Gen. Grant,
not ever Washington, when the PEG.
pie believed him to be following in the
principles and practices of Washing.
ton,--fOr the Union, the vhoh Union,
against sectionalism, sectional par
ties, etc. Even his reticencc, pro tsm.,
was not ungraciously looked upon,
though In q proper time, and in a prop
er way, almost everybody believed,
he would have something to say, and
that something. for a general restora-
Of the Union "ReticenCe." however,
as to personal ~veracity, involving a
mans honor, they'did not expect 81.
lence upon, more especially, when that
veracity was called In question by such
high Authorities rs the President oftho
United States. and Dur members ofhis
Cabinet,--in the matter Of bis promise
70 hold on ~ Secretary Of War. to en-
able the President to test the constitu.
tionality Of tue Tenure Of Once
act.
The Express goes on 70 Say that
Vanderbilt. who vent with
A. 7. Stewart and other very wealthy