The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-11-27
Grants Fate.

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: We have not been numbered among
the admirers of General Grant, nor
were we the advocates of his election
to the Presidential office; nor are we
now disposed TO fcicitate the nation
upon the success of the Radical party
in the recent struggle for political SUI
Iprcmacy in the Government. Never
theless, we feel a profound solcitudo
for the fate of the President elect
General Grant has some autcccdcnts
that arc well calculated to inspire hope
fulness, and, though nearly obscured by
his party associations, they are still of
vast importance, and worthy of consid-
Grafton. General Grant was once u
Democrat. Who can say that he has
entirely apostatized? In his youth he
espouscd the Democratic faith; in the
prime of his manhood he adhered to it.
In the fiery ordeal through which the
I country has passed, Grant arose from
obscurity to prominence by his militia
~ achievements he sil'nccd opposition
in the ranks of the Radical party, and
distanccd all competition. His nomi-
nation was by reclamation, and his cleo
ton forms one of the most important
chapters in the current history of the
times. The fact that Grant fought
through the late "unpleasantness" does
not make him Radical. Nowhere,
from the time Grant left Galena TO en-
ter the army down to the date of Lees
surrender, is he on the record as a Radi-
cal {; but, OH the contrary. there is much
to be CLEANED, during that period, indi-
eating that he was not in sympathy with
those extreme views which have made
Radicalism odious and infamous. TO
have been an actor in the late war does
not necessarily imply that a man is Il
Radical else Blair could not have been
| the Democratic nominee for Vice Presi-
dent and it is possible that Grant may
have been promoted to the Presidential
Office by the Radical party without be-
ing, in the most odious sense. Radical.
1t is well known that the elements com.
posing the Radical party are discordant.
The Beast Butler, Ben Wade. and Wen
dell Phillips wing of the party is bold.
reckless, and defiant 1t is THIS class of
| Radicals who dethrone law and order.
trample justice into the earth, discard
constitutions, and sc off at the idea that
Southern men have either civil or pOlit-
| ical rights. 1t is this element in the
Radical party which pushes it forward
| from one infamy to another until pa
| triots stand amazed at their daring po-
litcal devilishncss. There are mode
rate men in the Radical party who,
though they possess the brains Of Radi-
calism and are still disposed to preserve
some of the landmarks which guided
the fathers in the DAYS of the nations
glory and prosperity. seem powercss
to withstand the tidal wave which
threatens to cngulf the ship Of State
They still have some respect for law,
and though deeply imbued with the
niggerisms which distinguish the party,
recognize the superiority of the white
man. They have little sympathy with
Southern men, but, being sordid, are
anxious to see the South in more pros
porous pecuniary condition that she
may better sustain the burdens of taxa
ton necessary TO meet the demands of
the bondholders, who, in their estima-
ton. should be specially favored of
Heaven and the Radical Congress. Be-
tween these two elements that go to
make up the Radical party there is q
distinction and difference. and which
of the two will control General Grant
in his administration is question of the
greatest moment. If, unfortunately,
Grant identifies himself with Radical
extremists, then the nation may feel as
sured that an inscrutable Providence
has in store for it more punishmcnts,
that our national humiliation is not yet
accomplished, that the spirit of indie
pcndcnce is to be still further crushed
and trampled, and that greater burdens.
and more grieveus to be borne, are to
be laid on the backs of the people. If,
however, the administration of General
, Grant is distinguished by moderation,
it, with his characteristic persistency
and indomitableness he boldly con-
fronts those bad men of his party who.
, like blind Simpsons, would shake down
!, what there is left of the temple of our
!, liberties, and, rising to the full stature
of the patriot and statesman. plants
himself firmly on the side Of right and
Justice, reinstates the Constitution, and
, demands the aid of good men of all
parties in arresting the increasing tide
of corruption that is making the repub-
lie Kissing and n by-word among the
nations of the earth, and in bringing the
!. ship-of- state back to her ancient moor
ings-then, in that event, the admins
tration of General Grant will cntitle
him to the gratitude of the world. In
few months, at the furthest, we shall
know the fate of Grant, and, in know
ing that, it will not be difficult to pre-
dict the immediate future Of the coun-
try.