The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-03-25
The Repulse OF Grant.

Potomac was Win an armed enemy III
the wilderness of Virginia. A fierce and
bloody contest followed, but his resources
as General were sufficient to cope with
the enemy, protected though that enemy
was by the forests He came out victOri-
Gus, although the effort came near de-
stroying his army He gained, however,
the prestige of success, which strengthen
ed him for future battles. Grant having
stepped from General to President, finds
himself in his new field Of labors in fierce
struggle with the politicians of the party
which elected him Chief Magistrate. At
the very outset of his term he is engaged
in q war, while less bloody than that in
the Wilderness, yet it has tested his capac-
ity to the utmost, and proved to be tar
more serious not only 10 himself, but also
to his administration. IN fact, it has al
ready resulted in a repulse, an inglorious
defeat, and compelled him, at the very
threshold of his Presidential term, to Sc
riously consider the question whether he
shall not Internationally surrender him.
self into the hands of the INSCRIPTIONS pol
iticians.
President Grant started off with declara-
tons fer reform in the collection of the
revenue, opposition to all plundering and
corruption in official positions, for ecOnO-
!,
partments of the Government. 1t was an
nounced that his first move would be made
upon the whisky rings, 1ndian rings,
Treasury rings and revenue rings, which
have been eating out the substance of the
people for several years past, and, with
the assistance of Congress, swelling Our
national debt. AS a move against the
Indian ring, he placed Ex-Governor Cox
of Ohio, whom the politicians of that
State had sheived because he would not
become their tool, in the Interior Depart
ment. As move to break up the Whis-
ky Ring, the revenue frauds, and corrup-
ton in that branch of the service, he
placed Alexander T. Stewart in the Treas
ury Department. The announcement of
the latter selection created 8 consterna-
ton among the politicians. They saw
that either Stewards withdrawal must be
effected or their plundering schemes were
at an end. Acting upon this idea the
Radical politicians from one end Of the
country to the other set up a howl. They
rallied their forces, brOughs into service
the Whisky Ring and all other Rings
whose existence were threatened by Stew
arts appointment These forces were mar
shalled at Washington, and made bold
and determined effort against Stewart, and
for Boutwell, as his successor. They found
an old and obsolete law on the statute
books which aided them in their fight
against Stewart. Taking advantage of
Grants blunder in asking the mOdifica-
ton of this law, as far as it related to
Mr.. Stewart, instead of for its uncondi-
tOnal repeal, they succeeded in placing
Grant in an awkward position, and so far
entangling him that they held the mas
terry In vain did the President and Mr..
Stewart attempt to adapt themselves to
the unexpected situation forced upon
them by this old law But the politicians
and Rings, seeing the advantage that they
had gained, followed it up, and would ac-
cept nothing short of the complete with
drawal of Stewart Nothing else would
suit them. Grant, after two or three DAYS
parley, yielded, Stewart resigned, and the
first victory was proclaimed for the politi-
clans and the plundering rings. Great
was the rejoicing with these classes from
one end OF the country to the other
Elated by the first success, the politi-
clans took courage and moved upon Grant
with renewed vigor, with determination
TO control the appointment for Secretary
OF Treasury. They united in their de-
mand for Mr.. Boutwell,, claiming that he
was demanded by the party and the coun-
try. Grant hesitated, tried TO induce them
TO take David A. Wells, or John f. Will
liams, President of one of the banks of
this city. The politicians refused to listen
to either, and Grants hesitancy made
them all the more persistent in their de-
mands, until the pressure was so strong
and so loud that he yielded, and sent to
the Senate the name of Boutwell, Could
General Grant to-day look into the private
meetings of the politicians and the plum
derlDg rings, and witness the rejoicing
and elation over their success, he could
not fail to see how completely he has
been thwarted in his proposed reforms
and his plans for the honest collection of
the revenue. These rings have defeated
him on the start, and by their victory
have obtained additional strength, com
mand of the situation, and the material
which will give them al the advantage in
the next contest with the President.
Their success has been as important to
them as the capture of Vicksburg was to
Grant when fighting the armed enemies
OF the country, and they are already
organizing to obtain control of all other
Departments necessary to give the numer-
GUS rings free, full and clear sailing
The Treasury Department is the strong
hold. 1t is the citadel which commands
all the other positions necessary to be
gained. Its power under the Tenure of
Office law is greater than that of the White
House. Realizing this, the politicians and
rings were determined TO obtain full con-
troll, and they have succeeded. Grants de-
sire was to conduct that department of the
Government in business like way to
bring into its administration the same
business like tact and management which
lead to success in private business This
was the very thing which the politicians
did not want 1t would cut off their
profits, and put an end to their schemes of
plumber. They desired to make that de-
partment in all its ramlfcations, from the
main office in Washington down to the
most insignificant custom house and IN
ternai revenue official, mere political
machine. They entered into fight with
Grant for that purpose, and have come off
victorious. In yielding to their demand
for the appointment of Boutwell,, instead
Of taking some person like John +. VIII
liams or David A. Wells, whom he pre-
ferred next to Stewart the new President
has tied bis own hands, and VII find it
difficult To extricate himself Should the
Senate persist in retaining the Tenure-of-
Office law, Grant will in this new situa-
ton find it impossible TO carry out the re-
forms which he has proposed, and his adj
mlnistratlon will only be repetition of
the plundering and stealing rings which
characterized his predecessors. The only
question left for him now is, whether he will
Internationally surrender into the hands
of the politicians, and hencefOrth do their
bidding, or make a bold and determined