Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-02-06
SATURDAY MORNING, FEB. 6, 1869
Gen. Grants Views.

Gen. Grants views.
On the first page of to-day's paper will he
found IN interesting article from the N. Y.
Woyld, which purports to give Gen. Grants
opinions upon several matters Of public
interest and of some of our public men Of
both parties. The views therein nttribu-
ted to him are statesmanlikc, and if they
arc given vitality at the commencement of
his Administration can but have a very
salutary effect upon the country. We be-
lieve it doubtful, however, that the Presi-
dent elect has expressed himself 50 fully
and clearly as is stated by the World.
It does not seem probable that man who
has been 30 noted for rcticence should all
at once uutrammel his tongue, and if it be
true, we cannot admire the motive which
induced him to abstain from the avowal Of
. policy before election that he so fully
enunciatcs afterwards.
Gen. Grants views upon amnesty We be-
lieve to be defined very correctly. He
eouuseled liberal and humane course at
tho close Of the war, pending the surrender
Of Leo. If any real significance is to be
attached to the oft-quoted words Of Grant,
"Let us have peace" We must concede that
he meant what he said when he expressed
the hope that our difficulties "would be
ended without the sacrifice Of another life,
and that peace and fraternity would soon
prevail over the nation" This is known
to have been his desire long after tho close
Of tho war, but when Congress prescribed
different form of loyalty" in the absence
Of any expression Of opinion upon his part.
he was presumed to have acquiesced.
Il was certainly the belief that he had
by those who placed him in nomination,
or be would never have been their candi-
date. Who knows but what his reticcnce
may, after all, have been but the line Of
his campaign upon which he had deter
mined to fight his way to the Presidential
chair, even if itshould "take all Summer?
The characteristics Of several public
men are admirably portrayed. Especially
may this be said Of Bennett, Beecher, Ray
mond, and to some extent Of Greeley.
The tribute to Gen. Mcclellan, whether
uttered by Grant or not, is justified by
history. No man has ever stood higher in
the affections Of the army; no. man con-
tsibutedmore to its efficiency and harmony.
Grants appreciation Of his good qualities
il p expressed in no vague language.
i" he is an able soldier, . good citizen and
. pure man." says Grant. Danish par
y psejadios, and deny it IL you can.
We should indeed be pleased with the
assurance Of the entire reliability Of the
statements ~ published. It would be for.
tanats for the country II Grant should
dsmosytrate that he is President Of the
Unitsd States, not the head Of a party /,
that he IL the Executive officer of the
whole people, and not of mere majority"
II would be sad disappointment to the
party dsmagogues who expected to and in
him plant tool to DO their bidding. And
= not this course altogether probable |!
The Republican party is composed Of men
Of every conceivable shade Of political
opinion. It would be no less than . mir
aels for it 70 remain unit. While he
eanuot hsad the leaders Of his party, no
may lead The masses. He must be leader
himself, or b led. 1t IL far more proba-
BE chat be will prefer to be his own mas
tor, and that he will retain the sympathies
q the people, whose counseIs spring from
. nobIsr motive than selfshaess and bigot7
y. II he does this, if he shows . dispo-
sition to stay the mad waves Of hnatieism,
70 purge the public service Of corruption,
sofar, y least he win receive the gratitude
Of those who are earnest in their love 70,
lie old Constitution and the Government
8 Intended by its founders.