The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-01-22
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
pscial Correspondent. Of the n. o. Crescent

spscial Correspondent Of the N. o. Crescent
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. II, 1869.
Six weeks and we shall hout-at least, por.
ton of us" the king is dead: live the king"
The intentions of the coming executive are as
much of mystery as anything can well be. SEN
ators and representatives cannot get word from
him in reference to his policy except few "git-
teriDg eeneralties" about economy" and
"peace." The professions of the Rsdicalleaders.
in place and out of place, that Grant is " all
right" whatever that may mean, remind me of
the boy who whistled when he was going by the
church yard. to keep his courage up. The Rsdi-
calls who rushed into Grants arms at Chicago,
have already repented of their over confidence,
and in their own case they begin to realize the
truth of the old proverb that "whom the gods
wish to destroy they first make mad" At this
early day, before he has entered on his admins
tration, predict that Grant will put an end to
the Republican party, and that this day four
years nothing will remain of il except possibly
snall fragment in both houses of Congress, and a
few demoralized societies in Massachusetts. 10
the first place, Grant will prove an insur-
mountabe obstacle to the continuance of the
system of public plumber which has been the
principal cohesive element of the party for
the last six or eight years. Thaddeas Stevens
denounced the plunderers in the party ranks
again and again in his scathiug rhetoric in the
House. John p. Hale, In the Senate, boldly said
during Lincoln's administration, that the country
was in more danger from the corruption OF the
administration than from the forces of the Con-
federacy. Washburne, he of Illinois, who is pop
ularly regarded as the keeper of Grants con.
science, said few days ago thatif we wished to
save ourselves from destruction and odium, we
must cease to rob the treasury. Grant himself
says that before we give away any more money
it would be well TO balance the books and see if
we have got any money to give. Grant, as presi-
dent, will draw the purse strings of the nation
close, and Radio al fingers must be kept out of it.
Again, take his reply TO the delegation which an
nounced to him his nomination at Chicago. al
shall have policy of my own to enforce against
the will of the people" The popular majority
| of the Republicans In the late election was only
about three hundred thousand, and it is well
known everywhere that had the New York cou.
veDtion been only little more judicious, that that
three hundred thousand would have been against
| instead of for Grant, as the Radical nominee.
Gen. Grant understands and feels that Radical
ism, pure and simple, is odous TO the majority of
the people, and that 1t is only by the skiful intro
duciion of side Issues that they have been able to
win for some years past.
The opposition which be has announced he will
make to the Jackson theory, that ito the vctors
belong the spoiIs," will if carried out have the
effect of Strengthening the Democratic party in
the Republicans next fall. The twothirds Radi.
cal majority in the House will be lost in the
Congress. Schenck could not have beaten Val.
lsudebam in Ohio il this theory had been
nounced beforehand, and the ten thousand ma
j0rity in Pennsylvania would have gone on the
other side. New York would have given twenty
Thousand additional TO Seymour in November if
this doctrine had been proclaimed two weeks be-
fore the election. Congressman know this very
well and the tenure of Office act will not be
pealed by the Senate this session. The amend
ment of Wilson excepting the cabinet officers from
its operation is acceptable TO a majority of the
members of the Senate who tried johnson on the
charge Of thigh crimes and misdemeanors." 1t
is feared now that the "carpet baggersn in the
Senate will vote for its repeal. They must lean
on something and the arm of Grant appears TO
them tower of strength. The Senate cousti-
tuted twelve months ago would never repeal the
measure. Williams. who framed the i'll, scouts
the "subserviency," as he calls it, Of the House,
and will oppose IL earnestly in debate. Wilson,
of Massachusetts,, is anxious to comprise. "We
will give you the big plums. II you will give us
the little oDesn he says. Grant wants all the
plums, big and little. Action will be STAYED off
on this measureEuntil after the fourth of Mach,
and then the character of his appointments will
determine the way OF many votes.
Grant is too shrewd and close an observer not
to have noticed this. Radical leaders who have
recently conVersed with him give me their est.
mate of bis character, which | will reproduce.
Says one: "Grant is by no means so reticent man
L
plotting politician. and believe he is possessed
of good deal of cunning. l agree with him in
his retrenchment policy, but there are other
things about him which 10 not like" Another
says: 1.-THE more see of Grant the less | like
him. / want to get something definite from him.
We must have session after the 4th Of March to
get a message. some indication of his policy.
want 10 pin him down 10 something" The pre-
cediDg from Radicals. A Conservative says to
me: 81 have talked with Grant, and | see no
ground for apprehension. l think be will make
excellent president" | have conversed with
good many leading representative men on this
subject, and, as q general thing, | fud the
true blue Radicals disguised, annoyed, fearful of
the future; while on the other hand, those who
are less rsbid in their sentiments are more cheer
ful and full of hope. firmly believe that Grant
is not going TO be party president. As the
months roll op into years the country will find that
there is more truth than wit in the boastings of
the New York Democracy after the defeat of
their favorite, " that they had won any way, that
Grant was old Democrat" | have long had
theory about Grants administration which every
day serves to confirm. / think he sees in the pre-
sent political situation what johnson thought he
saw in the political skies when be called the Pha-
delphia convention together. / believe he has an
idea of founding a great national party. The
pivot on which bis administration will turn will be
"economy" and decreased taxation" In his
cabinet there will be no aspirants for the presi.
dency, if he can help it, He intends TO be entire
master of the situation and to run the machine
himself TO use vulgar but expressive phrase.