Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-05-04
Cen. Grant,s Administration.

I
Already the mutterings of discomfort B
fluid their way into the Republican papers, fl
respecting the lack of civil ability OF General y
Grant to discharge the high duties of the n
Presidency Some OF those journals which il
were foremost in trying to hide his disquali-
hcations from the popular mind, before his
nomination, are now also foremost in con-
demning him for the want Of statesmanship. I
We quote from that decidedly Republican l
print, the Chicago Tribune the following l
criticism =
When Gen. Grant was inducted into the ]
Presidential office on the 4th of March last,
he was stronger in the respect and conf
dence Of the people than any other man
who has filled that high office during !
the present generation. The only pre-
deceseor comparable TO him IN THIS re-
gard was Mr.. Lincoln; but Mr.. Lincoln nev-
er saw the day when he was free from the
active, determined hostility of a powerful
political party. THIS party, when General
Grant was inaugurated, not only had been
crushed by defeat, but conquered by latent
admiration of the cool, silent, sure-ooted
antagonist who had overthrown them on so
many and such diverse fields of action. The
Republican party, so lately torn asunder by
the impeachment trial. was again united and
irresistible in its loyalty to its elected chief
dent Grant was the strongest man In Chris
tendon; for his power was rooted in the al
fections of free people.
There has been a change. Two months
have passed away, and it cannot be affirmed
that we have strong Administration Its
moral power has been irlttered away by
small absurdities, which, fortunately, have
no bearing upon the sincerity, the truthful
ness, or the high purposes Of the President
and his advisers. We doubt ii there ever
was an Administration with more good IN.
tentions at heart or less aptitude for carry |
ing them into effect And since the evil |
which exists is not able 10 cure ITSELF Its |
remedy must be sought and found elsewhere
General Grant Is our President. he is a |
man OF high motives and pure purposes.
History does not record more illustrious
career in arms than his. Whether we re.
gard the magnitude of his achievement or
his singleness OF purpose-whether we con-
template the accuracy Of his judgment, or the
nrmness OF his resolves, or the unselfishness
of hts acts-we must admit that he stands
among the great men oil ancient and modern
times. He is too great and too good man
To be allowed TO fall into popular derision for
the want OF friends courageous enough 10 ac-
quaint him with his error.
General Grants first mistake consisted in
his euppoBlng that government is the same
thing as an army, and that an administra-
tion IS TO be carried on as a battle Is fought,
with infantry, cavalry, and artillery. To
command an army successfully officers are
needed to execute the orders of the General
IN Chief. To carry on a government states,
men are needed who understand the ideas,
the wants, and the temperament of the peo-
PIE, and whose conjoint experience and wis.
dom may form body of opinion in harmo
ny with the nation, or at least v,fth the par
" In power. If there h9ra statesman in
General Grants cabinet 9e has vet to make
himself known as such 6 tbe public. TO be.
gin al The beginning, Jhe Secretary OF State
does not know the rden, or the idea, or the
country oil lne pxesent day; nor do they
know MN. HsT1s gentleman OF noble
aou pure tyPe( II is probable that he eYes
as n1ce SUI &rsed when he was cabinet as
: eouptr34,. place in the Cg Ae down
iIomf Esfossre. .HahaHGaI and, In ali
constituted Ae xcesenoe of character, he
worthy representative OF the times in WI
he acted his part. But lie is not the maj
conduct our diplomacy. Nor is he the
TO take leading position in q
~ and progressive Government. The Sc
tary of the Treasury is likewise man
pure and elevated character, who has ri
from an humble station by his own pei
Verance and rectitude. But his abilities
not above mediocrity and If he should
main at the head OF the Treasury Dep
ment during his natural lie he could do
more than drift with the tide and avoid
breakers from hour to hour as best he mi
The Secretary Of War is the strongest
most positive man in the Cabnet--a her
every moral aspect, yet an invalid in hel
and unqualified by training and expere
TO take the leading position which circ
stances have forced upon him in the nat
al administration. Even he is unknown
lie country save as staff officer OF the @
manding General during the war Few
know the worth, and few have felt the
live powers Of mind, which belong to j.
A. kawlins. In view of his close relati
10 the President, and his stirling qualit
his appointment was certainly fl TO be ms
and We hope he may be retained. As
administrative officer of the War Dep
ment he has no superior, feeble as he f.
physical health and strength; yet no
VIII admit more readily than himself tina
mas not had the sort of education which
man 10 lead Cabinet council. And
lear that even his advice has been I
far OF little avail The Secretary of the NJ
IS by common consent untitled either for
mlnlslrahon or council-A worthy and W
meaning merchant, whose unfamilia
WIN political affairs is exceeded only by
ignorance OF naval affairs. The Secretar
the Interior, the Postmaster General
Attorney General are probably competer
discharge the clerical duties of their Off
pul prior 70 their elevation they were no
any way distinguished as statesmen, or
ny ther acquantances us better qualItie
assume the reins of Government Than
average OF their neighbors In the same pl
OF society. General Grant, whose dis
. gushing excellence during the war consii
IN his ability to select the right men for
right places. has apparently not percei
that statesmen are required 10 fill The nl,
of statesmen.
The second mistake OF the President
the one which has, perhaps, weakened
most In the public estimatlon-in his ca
ness TO appoint personal friends and 1
tiVes 10 Office In this behalf he has fufn
ed target 10 the enemy, where all 1
a1s
upon the party which elected him. In
pointing MIR. Washburue Secretary of 81
ae mere matter OF compliment, he tri
with the dignity of the highest office wi
his gilt A compliment OF this nature ol
not to have been either conferred or acc
ed. The Office was TOO high 10 be made
instrument of politeness. More than
the votes against the repeal OF the office
ure law were made against this indisc
act. General Grant was right in deman,
the repeal OF that law. He stood upon 3
ground when he refused TO move until
obnoxious statute should be repealed; al
he had not erred IN the exercise OF the
pointing power, in The precise paV MC
Mad err, lie would have overcome all OPP
xApn within week after his inaugural
By by first despoiling the principal OH,
hiFAgllt, and then making haste to co
Other important and valuable offices u
near rNauons and personal cronies, he
jeeted himself 10 the charge OF nepot
The Senate was not Glow TO perceive thu
a contest growing out Of the tenure of-o
law they had all the advantage, because
people wonid he quick 10 observe the