The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-02-14
COLUMBIA, S. &C.
Sunday Morning, February IA. 1859.
Grant md the ,Radicnls.


President and Congress asks the New York
Citizen This is the most prominent topic
under discussion in political circles of all
parties. The manner in which the radicals
talk about it among themselves leaves the
suspicion, at least, that a quarrel is immi-
nent and likely to take place ut an early
day. During the late Presidential campaign
the people were told by the radical press and
their speakers on the stump that it was ne
necessary for the interest of the nation to
elect General Grant; that his election was
the only way in which harmony could be
obtained between the Executive and Con
gress. This harmony, they claimed, was
essential for the successful reconstruction of
the South, and the restoration of prosperity
to the country What do wo now fine :? In
twenty more days General Grant will be
sworn into Office as President of the United
States. 1t is plain to every observer of
events that the leading radicals in Congress
do not intend to heartily co-operote with
him, and are already preparing the minds of
the masses OF their own party for break.
This is exhibited in several ways The most
prominent illustration is their action on the
tenure OF Office law. This law was passed
on the pretext that it was necessary to hold
johnson in check, and prevent his filling the
offices of the country with rebels and cop
perheads, and thus carrying out and making
hls, to them, obnoxious reconstruction
schemes successful BY the passage of this
law they protected their friends in office, and
prevented Mr.. Johnson from removing
them. If this was the sole object of the
law, there certainly is no need of retaining
it on the statute books one hour after the
expiration of Johnson's term certainly not
if, as they claimed during the campaign,
there is to be perfect harmony between the
new President and Congress. All must ad-
NIT that not word has fallen from General
Grants lips in q manner that has found the
way to the public indicating that lie pro-
posed to get up quarrel with his party in
Congress. On the contrary, he announced,
on accepting the Chicago nomination, that
he had no policy, and he certainly has not
proclaimed policy since, further than the
declaration in favor Of economy in expcndi-
lures, reduction of expenses, honesty in
Office, and a strict accountability on the
part of every Federal Office holder This
may be taken as an indication by the radi-
Gals that there is to be a quarrel between
them and the new President.
General Grant has asked, in an indirect
manner, that the tenure of Office law shall
be repealed. This request is but natural
and just He must see, rs every other OBJ
server of events does, that this measure
protects the official thieves and plunderers
in their operations. He must see that it
will be impossible for him to inaugurate IL
reform and secure an honest administration
of the offices of the country while his hands
are tied with that law. 1t has, in it's effects
and results, been the worst law that was
ever placed upon the statute books of the
nation The evils which it has fostered and
protected, and have grown up under it, are
ten-fod worse and more injurious to the
country than it would have been possible
for Mr.. johnson to inhict, had he commit
ted the outragcs that it was charged he
would. Under its operations, hundreds of
millions have been annually stolen from the
Treasury and tho people; defalcations and
embellishments have increased at an alarm
ing rapidity. When the President under
takes to suspend from office or call to an
account one of these guilty officials, the
latter throws himself back upon the tenure
OF Office law, snaps his fingers. and defies
the Executive. Realizing that it will be
impossible for him to secure change or
the reform in the Federal Offices which the
people expect and demand while this law
remains on the statute books, he asks that
it may be repealed. A bill is introduced in
The lnwar hnusn Of Cnnnroas Ia .uino tl,0 L..