Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-02-15
General Grant and the Radicals.

under arrest. This, we are informed, is
q mistake.
General Grant and The Radicals.
From the intimations that we gather
from our reports and exchanges, there is
but very little harmony in the Radical
camp at Washington. They now begin to
regard Gen Grant with feelings OF distrust,
and fear that he will not accept the pol
icy which the leaders of the party have
marked out for the guidance of bis future
administration, and that be will cut him.
self loose from the ultra-Radicals and
draw around him new party composed
of conservative Republicans and such
Democrats as are disposed to attach
themselves to the fortunes of the rising
star.
We already hear insinuations OF
troachery" and " dishonor," presaging
the storm which is gathering in the ultra
wing of the party, and only waiting Tor
an opportune moment to break upon the
man who, like Neptune, was to restore
peace to the troubled waters with wave
of his trident.
Thus far they are puzzled and per-
picked, and, with all the appliances OF
party machinery and drill, have not been
able to elicit the least intimation as to
his future policy save in that significant
assertion that, shall have no policy OF
nv own to interpose against the will OF
the people" He is in nowise pledged or
committed to the principles of the Chi
chago platform, or to the policy that has
marked the course Of that party in Con-
eress.
1t is we'll known that General Grant
opposed the impeachment Of President
Johnson as unwise and ridiculous. He
requested Congress to repeal the Tenure
ofOfice act, showing that he was not
willing to be trammeled or deprived of
any of the prerogatives which constitu-
tionally belong to the President, yet
they were not willing to trust him, and
refused to repeal the act. This was the
first decided manifestation of want of
confidence in the President elect by the
party whose chosen leader he is. He will
doubtless enter upon the discharge OF his
duties on the 4th Of March, surrounded
BY all the restrictions which they have
thrown around President Johnson in
their attempt to absorb all the coordinate
powers of the Government 1t will be
seen whether if, after exercising almost
unlimited power for the last five years az
Commander-in-C Chief of the Army, Gen.
Grant will be willing to play the role OF
an automaton to Congress, which leaves
him wholly deprived of the power to call
to bis assistance in the Administration Of
the Government such constitutional ad-
visers as his inclination and Judgment
shall dictate.
Those who think that he will be
content with q residence in the
White House, and the Office stripped of
its legitimate prerogatives, are very much
mistaken in the character of the man.
That same indomitable will, which car
Eied him over all obstacles from Cap.
tain Of company to the General of the
Army, will make him equal to this emer-
gency. The only policy that he is
pledged to is to carry out the will of the
people-not the will of particular Sec
ton, but of the whole country. We be-
lieve that be fully recognizes the integ-
rity of the Union, AID will not be the
executive of section, but will recognize
the right Of oil the people to full par
ticipation in the privileges Of the Gov
eminent. On more than one occasion
he has declared that bis administration
should be signalized by retrenehmeni
aud reform. The manner in which Rad
ical officials are rioting in plumber and
spoils has no parallel in history. Wher
ever they are their conduct seems more
like thieves than public officials. We Dc
not wonder that General Grant feels thai
this load Of corruption aud prOHigacy il
too much for him to bear, and that thl
best way to get clear Of it is to repudiai'
the party, and call around him mel
whose patriotism rises above mere paril
considerations.
The country would be ri lieei TO Sc
him call TO his assistance such men a
FessendeD, Sherman and Charles FRI
els Adams. It would augur -.N .Sr th'
future geood Of bis administration. A
few days only viii elspse before be vii
be inaugurated. We viii then be able Il
form some definite conclusion as 10 Wha
his future policy will be.