Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-04-28
DDlitical.
Movement howard llnperlaIIsm.


ton that the great republic is not ablo to
maintain itself against all the thrones in.
creationP Who's afraidP
Those who ask the question are not many
II there were more the danger would be
less
But those who ask the question are not
timid souls, nor persons who tremble nj
shadows. They are not persons who ore
wont TO jump at conclusions from unsub.-
stantial premises, There are the careful
and thoughtful observers OF facts; men who
study and compare facts with reference to
their Interpretation of events; calm unde-
monstTative men, not easily moved by sur
face agitations land who look deeper for the
causes and meanings of superficial move
ments.
''There is great undercurTent of move
ment in the worlds affairs, which themass
of men fail to recognize, except in some
conspicuous instances where sharp outlines
are thrown against the past so vividly as to
attract universal attention. Such revela-
ton of outlines usually follow but seldom
precede, the accomplishments of events.
when the republic Of Rome became the
empire of Caesar, the undercuTent of facts
and opinions which had gradually, but
surely, prepared the way for that event, but
which, until then, the people had failed to
recognize, became apparent to oil. History
is monotonous with the records of political
revolutions that have resulted in the same
way.
During period gilmore than eight years,
the great unobserved undercurrent of pop
ular sentiment in this republic has moved
steadily in the direction on centralizing the
powers of government Thougbtless peo-
pie stand ready to say that it not so, sim
DIV because the fact has not been suddenly
and violently forced upon their attention.
Ii i the powers over the several states that
are now assumed by the federal congress,
with the assent and approval OF a majority
of the people, been assumed by that body
of legislators eight years ago, the people
would have risen almost rs one man to re-
pels violent an attack upon their dearest
liberties The beginning of the usurpa-
ton was possible, because it was unseen.
It assumed the seductive guise of patriot
ic desire to preserve republican liberty, not
to destroy it. 1t isso always Itadvanced
slowly and by degrees going no faster or
farther than it was borne by the invisible
undercuirent, which itself helped to stimu-
late to greater rapidity. The idea of CEN
tralization, once so.abhorrent to every pat
riotic mind gradually lost its terrors
Capitalization in government is notneces-
sarilv destructive of social well-being," is
now the automatic declaration of an. ortho-
dox organ and defender of an imperialist
tendency. "On the other hand,
''An autocraoy is the cheapest and best Of
all governments, when the autocrat Is wiser
and better than his subjects.
"The weakening Of the central power in
government tends to anarchy.
Capitalization is the law of nature. The
soul shall return to Godwho gaveit it"-e. g.,
popular liberty shall return to the central
power, which did not give it
"These 'glittering generalities' are said to
be advanced by the writer, not because he
approves of the movement toward imper-
| ialsm, but because they are facts. In truth,
they are not facts. The law of nature is
not centIalization, any more than is the Op-
posite. The fundamental law of nature is
change, and it is in obedience to this law
of change that every movement in nature,
in matter, or in mind, takes place. Rest is
impossible. If the general movement of
the public mind be not in the direction of
an opposite form. The republican party
writer already cited arrests as q further
fact, that, "a stronger central government
already exists, while there is an absolute
weakening Of resistance toimperial tenelcu-
| cies."
There is no point short of imperialism
where this powerful undercurrent that flows
in the direction of Imperialism can stop.
Mind cannot rest any more than matter.
Its movement must continue inthe present
direction until it be changed to different
direction. Is there any point short of i'm
perialism where that change, in the move
ment of the American mind will take place?
In the answer to this question is involved
the future of this republic.
The RaWlins and Grant ''POlicy."
Lincoln had policy, johnson had pol
icy Now Grant has declared policy.
Lincoln barely escaped the wrath of his
party by his ultimately and tragic death.
johnson undertook to carry out Lincolns
policy and exposed his devoted head to the
storm which had been naccumulating for the
destruction of Lincoln. Grant is now I'M
dertalxing to carry out the policy avowed
by the republican party.when he was cleo
ted, and if he abides by the undertaking
will be likely TO encounter the storms which
afflicted tho administration of johnson
In message to Congress, Grant says:
"The authority of the United States,
which has been yindicated and established
by its military power must undoubtedly be
asserted for the protection of allits citizens
in full enjoyment Of freedom and security.
which is the object of republican govern
ment; and whenever the people Of q rebel
lious state are ready to enter in good faith
upon the accomplishment of this object in
entire conformity with the constitutional
authority of congress, it is certainly desira-
ble that all the causes Of irritation should
be removed as promptly rs possible, that
more perfect union may be established, and
the country be restored to peace and pros
perity,"
This is well said. 1t reads like a para
graph from the speech made by Gen. Raw
Inns Mt Galena before Grants nomination.
It is so well said that everybody who knows
ANYTHING of Grant knows that Grant never
penned II. II is undoubtedly the produc-
ton of the same man that guided Grant
and wrote his dispatches throughout his
military campaigns That man was Cen
eral Rawlins. and that man now sits, pen
in hand, and his lips at the ear of Presi-
dent Grant. Rawlins wanted Grant cleo
ted President. But he had no faith in re-
construction, or any other measures of the
Radical party. SO in his Galena speech he
compromised the matter by recommending
lust that which il recommended in Grants
message to congress, that the reconstruc-
ton measures should be adhered to, but be
promptly carried ont and the whole subject
disposed Of at once.
The people of the rebellious states have
been ready to enter in good faith upon the
accomplishment Of the object specified in
Grants message from the day the war en-,
dod, four years ago. They have not only
conceded 10 congress- all the constitutional
authority II possessed, but vast amount o
authority IL never possessed, and which i
never ought to possess. They have uniform
ly submitted quietly TO all the laws whicl
the dominant party have seen fit 10 impose
on them. Congress, and not the SoutherI