Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-02-08
GIANT.

In view OF the approach of insugura-
ton day, What are we to expect from
GRANT? becomes a pertinent and i'm
portsnt question. During the Presi-
dental sanvags 3 great deal was said Of
thu President elect that was doubtless
unjust, q great deal that is to be set down
TO the heat Of debate, and the eagerness
for party, so characteristic Of the people
North and South. But it viii not be
denied by his most setive psrtissns, in
deed, they generally admit 1t to his
credit that Gen. GRANT is justly re-
sponsibls for much OF the evil that has
been inflicted upon the South In the
shape Of reconstruction. It win, there
fore, he proper for. US to Measure the f.
ture Of the country, under his admins
t%rAtion, by what we have before us as
the result Of his powers as General Of the
armies Of tho United States. We viii
not discuss his shameful betrayal Of
President JOHNSON, nor bis attempt to
screen himself from the responsibility
Of that betrayal by islsehood, proven
such by members Of the Cabinet. Al
though political in its bearings, Rnd
damaging to his character for truthful
ness, we prefer to treat that episode 10
his public life as personal between
himself snd Mr.. JOHNSON, and base
our conviction that from him we
have nothing bus 3 thoroughly Re-
publican administration Of the govern
ment to hope for upon what has trans
plred during his election, which he might
have modified, mitigsted or prevented
altogether. We viii not touch upon
his quiet and secret Interference Ia the
farce Of impeachment when he bent bis
whole power ts break down and utterly
ruin the political future Of the Persistent;
nor upon his active exsrtions to prevent,
lsstsummer, an adjournment Of Congress,
so as that body might continue TO
flourish the party whip over Mr.. JOHN
SON These were political mslevoleRces
20 be looked for from GREELEY or PHIL
LIPS, but not from the bsshiul, dlf1dent
and silent political neOphyte who never
20 much as essayed 3 stump speech to the
village Of Galens. Yet they are some
what indicative Of the mao, and Of the
current OF political expression Into which
he has drifted and are at least worthy
Of note. 1t is when we remember the
color and character Of the reports Of his
stat s~fieers, BABCOCK and PORTER, and
Of Gen. AYRRs, that we feel most strongly
fortified In the opinion We have express
ed. With all the avenues OF truth and fair
play open to him, and by which he
might have Informed himself that CLAY
TONS outrsges were needless as they
were bsrbarous, he deliberately promul-
gates the reports Of these officers rs fact,
and sets thss seal ofhis appreciation upon
the horrible yillsinies Of the Recoustruc-
ton Governor OF Arkansas. With the
statements OF the public journals before
him-Republiean prcsses-thst CLAYTON
was not justified In bis atrocities; and
knowing that neither PORTER nor Bah
DOCK had taken time nor proper steps
fairly to inform themselves, he deliber-
Ately endorses what they say against the
people Of Arkansas, and dlsmisses the
subject Of their wrongs by a well done,
good and faithful servant '9to CLAYTON,
that was hardly to be expected from q
man such as many you'd have US be-
hsve GRANT to be. Had be been actu-
sted by the sincere motive Of being
right" he might have employed Gen.
GEANeER Ia the work Of Investigating
the Arkansas troubles. THIS gallant
oheer, from long residence in this sec
lion and oequsihtsnce with our people,
could have been relied upon TO do Justice
70 our unfortunate neighbors. Whfls
from bis high character for unswsryfno
integrity, 1t might have been IoakadssoT
by Gen. GRANT that hs would lahor 20
know the truth and ten if. But, no.
that would not suit. The country -
IS the Radical parry is sometimes
cslled-wanted it otherwise, and men
were employed to make it so who could
be depended upon on account of their
ne&rDesss 70 the person Of the future
President. The 0geechee and Norfolk
troubles were dealt with In like manner
by the General-in-C Chief. Ia our own
state We cannot forget his endorsement
OF Gel, THOMAS esgerness to lend hlm-
sell Ind the army to the purposes Of
BRowkLow and, although more than
aysGi has passed, and SHERIDAN has
since distinguished himself BY butcher
i1g the Indians, the resders Of the
APPEAL will remember how earnestly
that extremely Radical officer WAS
sustained by Gen. GRANT and
how s~trenueusiy he sought to
retain him Ia power over a people
whom, In every way possible to him, he
sought to degrade. Ia addition to which
We might reeite his control over the
present Congress, q body that has distir-
guished itself for nothing 50 much Sc for
81 ung~Oyernsble ill-temper In the dis