Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-08-20
GRANrHs A. TArEsMAN.

Some Of the Radical journals have had
the assurance to speak of Grant as a
statesman; and claim that he is "mar-
vellous proper MAN. to guide the civil
councils Of the nation, and propound d
policy fer tho healing. of the country s
troubles. The. idea is prepOsterous be-
You'd anything that can be said Of him
His military training may, in some res
spects, qualify him as an executive off,
Ger; but he is dull in intellect, utterly
without civil knowledge and experience,
and feeble in temper. 1t is safe TO say
that out Of the adult white male pOpula-
ton ofthis country, nine tenths Of them
are equally as we'll qualified for the
Presidency as ULYSSES s. Grant Il0G
The World thus ridicules his preten-
sions to craftsmanship; a13ieE mU -
Attempts to prove Grant statesman, do
him damage by their implied acknowledge
ment that heonght to be what he obviously
is not, TO justify any citizen in voting for
hinI Tor President The executive head Of
the first nation on the western continent
and one of The first nations in the world,
ought to, be a statesman, even in ordinary
times. IF anybody in England should
seriously propose to- make Gen. Napier
Premier, his voice would be drowned in a
general shout of derision although there is
a generous eagerness to load Gen. Napier
with merited honors. Englishmen differ
widely as TO whether Disraeh or Gladstone
IL the filter statesman for first minister, and
if these two were passed over, Lord Stanley
and even Mr.. Bright might 4beoa con-
siderei in that connection; bru no sane
Engiishmah would tolerate the idea
Of pntting in that important position
man without experience in the
civil counselsof bis country. Our govern
ment is not inferior in dignity, and re-
quires not less wisdom 10 direct il, than
that of Great Britain. Ii Is prepOsteroas
/ to think that any wooden stick of a man
/ that can be picked up is 81 for President
OF the United States, even in ordinary and
settled times, when routine and precedent
nske The office comparatively easy. But
these are not ordinary times. The ship is
10 beanavigated through untried channels
in rough weather, and nothing could be
more hazardous than 90 put into The
hands OF novice who has no experience
in seansnship. 10 would he as absurd to
place General Grant at the head Of the |
government in such cOniuncture as the |
present, az Hrwonld to send Governor Sew
mour intos the field to command great |
armies, if We were about 10 engage in an
other war.
A statesman, IN a free country, must be a |
leader OF public opinion. But what has /
Gen. Grant done, or what is he capable of |
doing, 10 mould the pnhlie opinion OF his
countryIBen What idea has he ever con.
tribuied 20 The common stock What /
light has he ever thrown 90 any public /
question There has indeed been good
deal of discussion, or rather speculation, in
the public pres respecting Gen. Grants
political opins0ns. Bnt what il nOleworthy
is, that nobody has ever Thought Of discus
sing them as people formerly discussed the
views of Mr.. Clay or Mr. Calhoun, OF more
recently. those Of Mr.. Douglas or Mr.. Sc
ward, "a sill more recently those Of Thad-
delESteveus or President johnson, TO deter
mine whether they were true and wise. The
only discussion. about Gen. Grants views
has merely related 10 what they are, not 10
whether they are correct IL is merely
question how FAR he accepts Che readymade
opinions OF one or she other party, not
whether his own original and selfformed
views are sound; for neither friend nor foe
has ever credited him with unborr0wed
opinions, Il Is merely 4 question from
Which ehdp he GETS Dis read rs ads opinions.
Instead Of carrying the public mind for
ward IN any given direcfiuu, he has not
mental activity enough 70 decide with any
from which side be viii bors
low. II sneh slow, passive recipient Of
he resaits 81 other peoples thinking ls a
statesman, what mans shall We bestoW on