The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-01-15
CHI A RLE S TON.
FRIDAY MORNING. JANUARY Is, 1869.
The Presidential Programme.


What policy will General Grant adopt
Everybody is asking the question and an
swering it to his own satisfaction. The
Democrat hopefully recalls what the Pres
ident elect was before the war. The Re-
publican claims to have placed him in the
Presidency, and, therefore, to have right
to him-a pretension that would be better
grounded had not Grants name been nee
essary to the success of the party. But to
each, it is becoming more aud more distinct
that the high official in question has but
comparatively slight interest in the parti-
sanship of the enc or the sectionalism of
the other. There are certain old fashioned
ideas which he asserts with his customary
blunt terseness, and to which he pledges
his administration. At the commencement
of the Presidential campaign, he proclaimed
to the country that he was an advocate for
"peace." To this magic word he now adds,
according to the correspondent Of the Bos-
ton Advertiser, three others; ;hey'are sshon-
"esty, economy and manliness."
There is, to be sure, room for wide di-
versity of opinion as to the meaning Of all
these terms; but still, the straightforward
simplicity and soldierlike magnanimity of
General Grant encourage the opinion that
they are to be understood in their ordinary
acceptation. This is, as we are credibly
informed. the opinion of the Hon. A. H.
Stephens, who comprehends the situation
and knows the man.
We may conclude that, in insisting upon
:speace," General Grant indicates his oppo-
aitioa not only to the class, but also to the
sectional, Liquidation, which has agitated
the country ever since the war. he pledges
his administration to the promotion ofgood
order in the States and of harmony between
the States and the General Government.
We may conclude that, in insisting upon
"honesty," he declares war against corrupt
officials ami those organized lobbyists, who
are now known as "the rings" of Washington.
These last have great power; and in seve-
raj important particulars, as, for example,
in the Alaska purchase, have directed the
policy of the government. They all have
some patriotic or philanthropic pretext
The whiskey ring, whose members own and
absorb large quantity of the article from
which they derive their name, desire that
high tax shall be levied upon that per-
nicious beverage. They will, if successful,
be enriched by millions. The Freedom
area ring are anxious to buy Canada, Cuba
and Mexico, having mado arrangements by
which considerable draught from the pur-
chase money shall find its way to their
pockets. 1t will not be their fault if Uncle
Sam does not become the happy proprietor
of every polar iceberg and every tropical
hurricane and earthquake. The Indian
ring entertain profound feelings and SYM
pathy for the unhappy Aborigines, among
whom they implore the government to main
tain or establish fat agencies, which they
themselves are willing to occupy, and to
distribute liberal appropriations, which
they ore willing to take in charge. With
these pseudo -philauthropists General Grant
undertakes to contend.
The determination to establish "eoono-
s'my" neoessitates o conflict with officials,
"whose name is legion" 1t threatens all
those Offices which have been created as o
reward for political services, and those
which, since the war, have become sine
cures. 1t discountenances internal i'm
provements by the government, and repu-
dates the Seward policy of squandering
the national resources for the benefit of
capitalists and specule sors. In this respect
the policy of the new administration will
correspond with that of Andrew Jackson.
The project is bold one, and will require
nerve in its execution, seeing that the en-.
dangered officials and claimants are among
the most blatant deolaimers of the domi.
nant party.
Not less significant is Grants last word
'manliness, for it involves protest. 1t
is known that the President elect insists
that the restrictions imposed upon the Ex
ecuive, during Mr.. Johnson's term, ought
now to be removed. The provisions of the
Tenure Of Office bill are unconstitutional,
and prevent the President from discharg.
ing his sworn duty to execute the laws.
The good of the public service requires
that he shall no longer be denied the power
of controlling his Cabinet, of holding to ac-
l countsbility the officials Of the government,