The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-02
The New Administration.
From the N. Y. World.

From the ~. 7. World.
The Democratic party takes no interest in
the merely ceremonial and festive part of this
weeks proceedings at the national capital.
1t is natural enough that the party which has
new lease of power should express their
exultation by grand professions to be gazed
ut by thr0ngiDg crowds, and other customary
demonstrations OF joy; aud their vapquished
opponents are not so chuilish or illiberal as
to raise objections or take offense. For the
parade and ostentatOn of triumph they feel
the most profound indifference and contempt.
But Democrats will nevertheless watch, with
a keen interest, every development which
throws light on the policy of the new Presi-
dent. His extraordinary reticepce or war;
ness has made him an enigma, even to the
party that elected him. Both parties and all
sections of the country are anxious to see the
curtain lifted and to listen to the prologue Of
the drama which ia about to open. 1t is
play to which there is as yet, no programme;
for nobody regards the Chicago platform in
that light, since ii has been 80 wantonly falsi-
fed by the passage of the new constitutional
amendment, and the failure of Congress to
make any of the financial reforms promised
in that deceptive declaration.
The Inaugural Address ought to mark the
opening of a new era. Since the first inaugu-
ration of President Lincoln we have passed
through cycle of blood and turmoil. The
and durable tranquility. 1t is not by any
such vague exhortations as "Let us have
peace" or any unmeanipg oommonplaoes
about the necessity OF retrenchment and
economy, that the people can be reassured,
but only some definite outline of policy. II
General Grant has any clear ideas, the time
has come when he should give them utter
ance. III he has any kind, cheering, confding
words for the prOstrate, humbled South, the
fitting occasion is at hand for him to speak
them, even If he should thereby shock the
Republican party as he did by the liberal
terms of surrender which he conceded to Gene
raj Lee. If he has opinions respect
ing the proper relation of the States
to the Federal Government, he can
lodge them securely in the public mind by
taking this occasion for setting forth the con-
stitutiOnal doctrines which have been OBJ
soured and discredited anil the clash of arms
and the civil convulsions which followed the
war. The proper subordnation of the mill
tary TO the civil authority, the necessity OF
maintaining the old lines of demarcation be-
tween the three great departments of the
Government, and especially between the Ex-
ecutive and Congress, are timely topics on
which a real statesman could not fail
TO give his views, at a time when the old
landmarks have been obiterated and the
mowers of his own Office are curtailed by
Congressional usurpation. II on these sub
iaots General Grant has no opinions, or,
having opinions, lacks the courage to pro-
claim them, he will be like mariner putting
to sea without compass or charts and moth
ing favorable can be- predicted of the voya
Sound doctrines on these Subjects expressed
with temperance and precision at the outset
of his administration, would give a turn to
public sentiment extremely favorable to the
1'peace" which he processes to desire. o.
course, he should not PROFOUND novelties OF
these great questions; but If he would repeat
with impressive breyity what may easily bt
found in Webster or Story, the crude heresie
OF the present period might be supplante(
almost without further effort.
Although the public is more eager to as
certain his policy than TO contemp plate tn,
man, the extraordinary rise OF the new Presi
dent will naturally oc5ur to the minds o
his couptrymen on the proudest day of hi
life. Eight years ago, when Mr. Lincoln
was inaugurated, Ulysses Grant was as un
likely person to be one OF his successors a
coule have been found in the whole country
Nothing bat great convulsion could hay
lifted SO obscure and apparently 30 common
place a man, in so short q time, to 30 re
markable an elevation. commonplace MAJ
he certainly is not, whatever may be though
of his intellect. His character is surely cas-
In no common mould. He has undergone tn
seyerest trial to which character can be sub
iected-unlooked-f prosperity, and sudden
giddy elevAtion-and he has stood the test In
manner which would have done no discredi
to amy man that has ever lived. His hea'
has never been been turned by his wonderful
fortune; he has exhibited no levity
no foolish vanity, none OF the airs 2
an upstart, none Of the besetting weaknesse
ola PGrvenEj but has borne himself with