Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-11-27
After Grant-What?

/ Hon. Henry Wilson, in the last number
of the New York Independent, makes the
following reply to this query:
This significant question was asked by
Mr.. Phillips on the eve of the election.
Mr.. Phillips seems to distrust General
Grant, and the men who gave him their
support. have undoubting confidence in
General Grant, and the men who have
made him President of the United States
If he or they shall fail to seek the things
that make for peace;" if they shall fail to
secure equality of rights and privileges to
all citizens of the United States; if they
shall fail to establish justice and protec-
ton to all men in their right to think their
own thoughts, utter their own sentiments,
and do as they please, provided they do
not interfere with the rights of other men,
Mr.. Phillips distrust will rest On better
foundation than my confidence.
OF General Grant have seen much. /
have read what he has written, and studied
with some care his acts have heard him
converse with public men for hours on
matters pertaining to public affairs, civil
and military His deeds are historic; as
they make him one of the great historic
characters of the age. What he has writ
ten is before the country; and his enemies
have found nothing in it, even for historic
criticism. In all the hours of his CONVEX
sation to which I have listened, do not
remember him to have uttered a trihing
word or an illiberal or unjust sentiment.
l have great faith, confidence and hope in
the Republican party-so much faith, con-
fidence and hope that have never written
a line or uttered word to disparage, dis
tract or divide it. believe it was brought
into being to meet the needs of the coun-
try-to do a great work for the nation, for
man and for God. But, great as believe
this party to be, / have never, since have
known Linn, questioned General Grants
fitness to be its chosen leader.
| have Qndoubting faith that General
Grant wiH prove himself as worthy to
lead the Republican party for the next four
years as he was to command the armies of
the United States. believe, too, that the
Republican party will prove itself as wor-
thy of such leader as did those armies.
General Grant stands pledged to the coun-
try to have no policy of his own other
than that of the clearly expressed senti-
ments and opinions of the people them
selves. Nor have they ever expressed
those sentiments and opinions, for the
guidance Of Presidents and Congresses,
more clearly and unequivocally than in
the recent Presidential election. Neither
General Grant nor Congress, friend nor
foe, can mistake the determined purpose
of the American people. 1t has been my
privilege to take an humble part in eight
Presidential elections.
Never in any of these elections have
there been such clear perceptions Of the
country's necessities and such perfect &C
cord of opinion and feeling, with such
precision and boldness of utterance con-
cerniug them. The Republican presses
and speakers, all over the country have
completely harmonized in their views.
They have uttered the same sentiments in
the North and in the South, at the East
and at the West The popular heart has
beat responsive to their appeals. The
great party that has made General Grant
President, and chosen House of Repre-
sentatives to sustain his administration,
has fought and won the battles on high
J er plane of action than that of any pre-
vious political organiZation-far higher
than its own in the great contests of 1856,
/ 1860 and 1864. 'a -f
| During this canvass | have travelled
nearly ten thousand miles in the Eastern,
| Central and Western States; and have
addressed f1fty-six assemblages, mostly
large mass meetings. / have spoken to
tens of ds-Conservative and
Radical, men of all pursuits and profes-
sions; and have never been cautioned,
as in former campaigns, against the utter
ance of extreme opinions on the subject
of slavery or human rights. Our rpeakers
were as warmly and enthusiast tlcally ap-
! plauded when they preached squal rights
| and equal privileges for all citizens, and
j the protection Of loyal men without dis
tirnti0n Of. color 0r r9re in c11e mart of
the country as another Never have l
seen masses of men SO imbued with the
spirit of patriotism, of liberty, Of justice
and Of humanity.
There is no rnistaking the verdict Of the
people. Neither General Grant nor Con-
4 gress can misunderstood it. They have
declared for the speedy and complete res
toratiQn Of the Union 6n the basis Of 10y