The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-01-15
G. HI A r L E S TON.
FRIDAY MORNING. JANUARY Is. 1869
The Presidential Programmo.

The Presidential Programme.
What policy will General Grant adopt ?
Every body 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 and more distinct
that the high official in question has but
comparatively slight interest in the parti-
sanship of the one 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; they are s.hon-
s'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. II.
Stephens, who comprehends the situation
and knows the man.
We may conclude that, in insisting upon
"peace," General Grant indicates his oppo-
sition not only to the class, but also to the
sectional, legislation, which has agitated
the country ever since the war. He pledges
his administration to the promotion of good
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 and those organized lobbyists, who
arenow 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
a high tax shall be levied upon that per-
nioious beverage. They will, if successful,
be enriched by millions. The Freedom
area ring are anxious to buy Canada, Cuba
and Mexico, having made arran gements by
which considerable draught from the pur-
chase money shall find its way to their
pockets. It 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 wiling .o oooupy, and 70
distribute liberal appropr iations, which
they are willing to take in charge. With
these pseudo philanthropists General Grant
undertakes to contend.
The determination to establish ssecono-
'my" necessitates o conflict with officials.
"whose name is legion" 1t threatens oil
those Offices whicb have been created az q
reward for political services, and those
which, since the war, have become sine
cures It discountenances internal Inn I
provements by the government, and repu-
diates the Seward policy Of squandering
the national resources for the benefit OF
capitalists and spectators. 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 ofdoiels and olaimants are among
the most blatant deolainaers Of the domi.
nant party. is.
Not lass signi6csnt Is Grant's last word ~
''n@aaliness, Il - 20 IL inyo:yss d protest. II
is known that the Prpsidens elect insista
that the Restrictions iraposed upon the Ex
ecutive. daring Nh, Johnson's term, oueht
nov v bs removed. The provisions os the
TsHuSs-0 f-OGios bi.i srs ,unconstitutio oDai.
and prevent the President from discharr-
ings his sworn duty 10 execute tic laws.
The good Of the public service reouirss