Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-02-25
VOL. 20.
Grant As Re Was and As He Is.

When Lee surrendered the shattered rem~
nant of his forces the rejoicing throughout
the entire North was general and heartfelt.
The masses were truly glad that the fierce
strife which had made such heavy and con-
slant drain upon the blood and treasure of
the nation was over. The return of peace
and the immediate restoration of that . Union,
for the preservation of which such great sec
rifices had been made, was confidently ex-
pected. The exultant joy of the populace
was uninterrupted, except by the discordant
curses of few extreme Radicals, who, even
in the glad hour of our triumph, were heard
denouncing General Grant for according gen.
erous terms to the vanquished. But the
masses fully approved what he had done, and
Abraham Lincoln gave to his acts the fullest
official sanction. When Andrew johnson
exhibited an impulsive vindictiyeness, after
the assassination of his predecessor, he was
opposed and restrained by General Grant
That action was noble and heroic After Mr..
johnson had changed his views, so that they
accorded with those of Mr.. Lincoln and Gen
eral Grant, the President and he continued
to labor for the restoration Of the Union with
perfect harmony of sentiment. Tours through
the South, taken for the express purpose of
observation, convinced Grant that those who
had been leaders in the rebellion were acting
in perfectly good faith, and that tie work of
reconstruction on the plan originated by Mr..
Lincoln and adopted by johnson, was pro-
ceeding most prosperously. When asked for
an opinion he freely expressed his views in
favor of the policy of the President, and in
opposition to that of the Radicals in Congress.
That General Grant was $honest in these
his earlier acts no one can doubt. lie had
no temptation then which could have induced
him to disguise or conceal the truth. He
unquestiOnabty acted and spoke from sincere
convictions
What change has since come over him
Tempted by the alluring prize of Presiden>
tial nomination, he has submitted to be made
the tool of gang Of disreputable Radical
politicians, who are willing to hazard the best
interests of the nation for the sake Of spoils
of office. Too weak to decline the coveted
prize, he lacks the sagacity to see that he
throws away all chance of securing it the mo-
ment he allows himself to be placed upon a
Radical platform. His wonderful reticence
has not been shield to him. He no sooner
fully consented to allow himself to be used
by the Radicals than he was involved by them
in a labyrinth OF dirty political trickery from
which he did not come forth without the loss
of honor. lie was not only compelled to
abandon the views he had so long honestly
held but he was forced into corner from
which he escaped only by deceit and what
looks much like downright lying.
The revulsion in popular feeling is won>
derful. The man whom all men respected
but a short time ago has fallen very low in
popular estimation. The recent conduct of
Gen. Grant cannot be defended. No man
who is prepared to estimate what is truly
honorable can help feeling that he has acted
the disreputable part of political trickster.
The reputation which he won as soldier has
been sadly tarnished, if be should be the
candidate of the Radicals, he cannot expect
to be treated with any greater consideration
by his opponents than Chase or Wade would
be. He will carry the votes of those who
approve OF the platform on which he stands,
and not one more. The Democracy do not'
fear him. They feel perfectly confident that
he can be beaten, and they will have the ad
vantage of having him pretty well used up
before the campaign is formally opened.
All that is needed to secure our success is
TIE exercise of proper sagacity in selecting
candidates. The coming battle is to be fought
upon the living issues of the present year,
and We should take care that nothing be done
by us to enable our enemies to divert the
minds Of the people from the great questions
which are stirring the popular mind to-its
profoundest depths. Our candidates should
be men whose personal and political record
cannot be assailed. We must strip ourselves
of every impediment in the coming race. If
we do so, our success is absolutely sure
JyUc0stez L,teIIj1oDcey