New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-05-23
THE FORK OF THE CONTENTION.

Though the nomination Of Gen. Grant for
the Presidency by the party of Union, free
dom, and true democracy, has for several
months been conceded by all, and though the
fiery political ordeal through which the country
has lately passed has added to his fame as the
first captain of the age, the reputation of possess
ing a clear judgment and an unbiased fidelity to
the will of the people in all political affairs,
yet the unanimous, enthusiastic, overwhelming
choice of the true and tried Hereby six
hundred and fifty delegates voting on behalf
of all the States and Territories of the Union
is a triumph as gratifying to the nation at
large as it can be to the General and his i'm.
mediate supporters 1t is the universal testi-
mOny of the majority of the American
people that the principles of Union, Liberty,
and true Democracy, which inspire the Repub-
lican party, are largely indebted for their vic
tory over the Rebellion and Slavery to
the genius and fidelity of Gen. Grant.
For all in vain would have been
devotion to freedom, or elOquence in
its vindicatiOn, or sagacity in marshaing
its hosts for political conflict, if, when these
had eliminated in the all-invOlving struggle Of
blood and death. the tide had gone against u.s.
In that great agony of the Nation, when the
prayers and grOans of millions assembled
to the Unseen Ruler of events that
He would bless the nation with a leader
of Judgment, SKILL patriotism, and courage
equal to the sublime task before him, Provi-
dence responded by raising up Gen. Grant
Under his guiding hand, the decisive battles of
the war were fought upon the issue of which
depended whether the Union should survive,
obo ha 1aH 70
all classes of men, and ultimately whether
universal suffrage and loyal supremacy,
the present policies of the Republican party,
should prevail throughout the land With no
other man is the triumph Of Republicans in
principle SO closely identified as with ULYSSES
S. GRANT. With him as their champion,
they went into the struggle which determined
whether Liberty OF Slavery should rule on this
Continent for the next century; and with him
they came out triumphant. His life has been
theirs, his triumphs theirs and it is well that
the Republican party, with instructive gratitude,
have made him their champion for the approach
ing campaign and their choice for President.
That same calm judgment, sterling sense, accu-
rate estimate of the men whom he selects for
executive positions, and, above all, that sensible
habit of combining himself to his own duties,
leaving to others the performance Of theirs,
holding all his subordnates fully to their re-
sponsibility, and leaving all his co0rdinates in
complete independence, even OF his advice,
and still more of his control all these
qualities, which have shOne so clearly in the
character of Gen, Grant, are among the highest
qualifications that could be conceived for the
Presidential Office. The lamentable failures
and mischievous crimes Of Andrew johnson
have at least taught us that the first qualihca-
ton of good President must be willingness
to leave legislative and political policies to the
representatives of the people, and judicial
questions to the courts, without attempt
ing, by coercion, bribery, or threats, to
bias their action, or by evasion, re-
sistance or defiance, to override it. Gen.
Grant will be found to possess this just
estimate of the executive functions. BY bring
ing all the energies of mis- administration to en-
forcing, instead of debating or resisting tho
laws, we believe he will prove as successful in
conduering the corruption which now
infests every department Of the Gov
eminent as lie has been in subduing
the great Rebellion. The executive command OF
fifty thousand civil Office holders will be q
more familiar task to the General who has
commanded million Of men in the field,
than perhaps to any other person ever ele-
waited to the Presidency.
The country will welcome the nomination of
Gen. Grant as the harbiDger of Peace, of
thorough and righteous reconstruction, and of
prudent and popular administration.
The nomination Of Schuyler Colfax for the
Vlce-Presidency is the most universally salts
factory that could be made. Notwithstanding
the lnaIrn To Ii. LaLI