The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-15
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1869.
A Fight with the Thieves.

mittee by whom he was 0fhclally apprlseu ol
his election as President Of the United States
will exotic universal interest. The people
will regard with no little satisfaction the neat
device by which the soldier has Aanked the
politicians in relation to the Cabinet, and re-
lieved himself, as well as the gentlemen
whose services he would be glad to have"
from the annoying pressure which interested
parties are in the habit of applying on such
occasions.
President is usually deluged with an
-verHowing supply Of advice, but 1t is as
aifioult ordinarily, for him to obtain sincere
and honest counsel, prompted solely by
desire to promote the public interest, as 1t is
TO close his ears against the deafening olang
of importunate suitors for Office. Grant has
done more than any of his predecessors to
avoid the latter, and yet, in view of his fire.
qusnt intermipglipgs with the people, his
visits from oity to city, and his repeated con-
sultations with the prominent members
of the Republican party at Washing
ton and elsewhere, he is unusually well pre-
pared to select good Cabinet.
But one Of the most noticeable and signif-
can't features of the address is its reference to
"the necessities for an honest and faithful dis
charge of the revenue laws" and ''the prinoi-
pies of economy, retrenchment, and honesty
which we're desired by the people of the ooun-
try" We have here, in brief, the main planks
of the platform Of the President elect. With
military precision and military fidelity, he is
about to address himself to the task which
public men are SO prone to forget-an honest
discharge Of his plain duties. Andrew john
son, in his zeal to enforce suicidal policy,
forgot his oath to execute the laws, and he
prostituted the highest of political powers
TO the basest partisan purposes. He re-
moved and appointed officers, not with
reference to their usefulness to the public
service, but with an eye single to their real
or assumed opinions on reconstruction. In
tegrity and efficiency were branded with re-
moval il they were not supplemented by ap-
proval of drunken White House speeches, and
bald knavery in Office needed no better pro-
teotion than denunciation Of Congress or q
hypooritioal hurrah over the most absurd
sentiments uttered by Andy when he was
swinging round the circle.
General Grant gives very distinct intims-
tisn that the public offices, under his admins
trstion, are to be rendered useful agencies in
promoting great public ends, rather than mere
ornamental and profitable psrquisites of oor-
rupt politicians. He announces that men who
fail to discharge their duties will be prom pity
dismissed, no matter whether they are "his
own appointments or "those of his prede-
oessor." Once more the old Jefersonian
standard, 'Ts he honestY Is he capable ?" is
to be established, and men who fall below it
mental deficiencies by mere partisan zeal.
We have no fears OF General Grants fidelity to
ths Republican party, and We have no doubt
of his earnest desire to promote the interests
of that organization, and to reward its faith
full and jealous members. But he has been
too thoroughly disgusted with the shameful
results of yohnson's course to knowingly keep
Republican, or to fail to insist upon due
regard for the public interests as the first con-
sidsration in all important appointments.
1t is clear that General Grant has made up
his mind to fight the thieves as earnestly aud
steadily as he fought the Rebels during the
war. A few days ago he quietly remarked to
q friend that while he knew the Government
was shamefully defrauded in the collection Of
revenues, he had made up his mind that they
could be honestly collected and he added that,
having formed this opinion, he was resolved
that s'they should be collected" aud that il
one set of men failed to act honestly others o.
undoubtsd reliability would be selected.
During the war, when q remark was made
10 the wife OF the President elect in regard tC
his alleged determination to capture an impor
tant Rebel stronghold, she replied that, 81
he says he will take that place he will be very
apt to do it, for Mr.. Grant is very stubborn
man." Events proved that she was right
and now that fight against the thieves, tn
plausible, sleek, well-fed corruptionists, VIII
are clad in purple and line linen, and roll il
wealth filched from the American people, /
about to be commenced, We think that victor.
will again perch upon the banner Of the her
of DOnelson, Vicksburg, and Appomattox
and he will, at all events, have in this conaic
the hearty sympathies Of the honest men 9
all parties.