The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-01-21
WHAT IT MEANS.

Gen. Grant is opposed to the reduction of
the army He has good reason for this oppo-
sition, if he is prepared to discharge the op-
probrious functions which the radical scheme
of military dictatorship proposes to devolve
upon him. On any other hypothesis, the
maintenance of the army at strength two
hundred per cent. greater than its former
peace maximum would be, even to the mind
Of Gen. Grant, utterly without pretext Lay
aside the military requirements of radical
politics, and what occasion exists for the en-
ployment of soldiers? Gen. Sherman, re-
turning from the Western borders, declares
that the Indian wars in that quarter are
waged, for the most part, only in the news
papers. The country is not menaced by any
foreign enemy. Even if it were thus men
aced, the United States is so situated, geo.
graphically, as to be able almost to dispense
with land forces for resisting possible inva-
sions in the future. We are not aware that
large army is called for by reason of rebellious
manifestations on the part of the SHOWS and
the walruses, the seals and the icebergs of
Sitka. We are not aware that its services
would be available for the purpose of quelling
the earthquakes and tornadoes that have
threatened the destruction of Mr.. Stewards
West Indian purchases. 1t follows that such
military establishment as Gen. Grant de-
sires TO keep up, must be needed in his
opinion, to meet exigencies incident to the
domestic affairs Of the country; and no pro-
found examination of the matter is necessary
to discover that exigencies of this nature
could only happen under the development Of
radical policy, not merely as it affects the
South, but also as it concerns the States and
the populations of the North.
Not one soldier is wanted at this moment
to bring the excluded States into the Union.
There is not one rebel in the South against
the federal government, unless he be an adhe-
rent of radicalism. From the day that the
Southern Confederates surrendered, they have
been anxious to unite, for their own safety and
welfare, and for the general good of the coun-
try, with the Northern people under the same
Constitution and laws. This desire to parti-
cipate in a common union and in a common
loyalty has been defeated by the distracting
and obstructing measures Of the radical Con.
gress. They have left the Southern people with
nothing to be loyal to except the brute force
of military power. The Northern people
should reflect well upon this predicament of
their Southern neighbors; for it portends
what their own plight will ultimately be, IN
der the combined effects of radical despera-
ton on the one hand and of military usurpa-
ton on the other hand, unless they arouse in
N a nf
pernicious and dangerous combination. Let
the Northern people consider that they have
much more to lose by the success of the con-
spiracy now maturing at Washington, than
the South has. Against us misfortune has
scarcely another calamity to hurl. Our Iber-
ties have already been swept away. Our lips
have tasted every ingredient in the cup of
military rue. Our hopes are so subdued by
adversely, that we are profoundly disposed to
be poor and content under any conditions
which should promise us peace and |
security. The danger of the contempla- |
ted coalition of radicalism with a |
military dictator for the South, is |
to those who are not yet politically erslaved.
The danger is that the sword, after taking the |
place of craftsmanship in reconstructing ten
States, will take the place of the constitutional
legislature, and of the constitutional executive.
IN governing the other States. The danger
is that the people Of the North, as well as of
The South, in their WEAKNESS and disgust of
The endless difficulties, vexations and perils
evolved from radical politics, may at length
'ovet the tranquility of an established despo-
ism. When this hour should come, the man
or it would not be far behind. Only the
Rubicon separated the Roman republic from
he Roman empire. General Grant may not
have the stuff in him for a second Caesar.
But if so, it must be all the worse for the
country when, with the passive acquiesoence
Of the people of the North, he shall lend his
sword to the vile work which the radical poll
hcians confess their inability to accomplish
by constitutional, statesmanike or peaceful
He will eventually, in such case.
sink under the load of impossibilities put
lpon him by the radicals, and the resulting
anarchy will invite and vindicate the inaugu-
alton of tranquility and order by despot
anger in mind and less marrow and partisan
n sentiment.