The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-04-08
One Month of the New President.
AND PROPRIETOR

Alter reading the inaugural address OF
Grant, we made the remark that it would
impress the public as the production OF a
man who had assumed a high position, the
duties Of which he did not understand, and
the responsibilities and dangers of which he
did not comprehend. The whole history
Of the man justified the assertion, as well
as the contents Of the extraordinary adj
dress with which he set out in his official ca
reer. Apart from army matters, he seems
to know but little. A taste for horses, a
liking for dogs, perpetual devotion to his
cigar, faculty OF appearing to be wise by
saying nothing, and logged obstnacy, are
his main characteristics. From his noml-
nation to his election, and from election to
inauguration, where did an idea, thought,
or notion save it related to the subjects
named, struggle through the fog that en-
veloped this little great man?
When the address was spread abroad.
the country was filled with wonder and
shame at beholding document so egotisti-
cal, so inelegant in language, and so power
ty-stricken ia ideas. The radical press that
could find nothing in it to praise, could only
claim that the new President was a man not
of talking, but of action, and that his acts
would Justify the estimation in which his
party held him.
His first act was the creation of cabi-
net. He appointed 10 the most important
position a man who had spent money like
water to secure his election, and to whom
he was under pecuniary obligations. He
did not know that the law made the new
appointee Ineligible but when il was made
apparent to him, he sent in a demand for
the repeal Of the law. And finally he
withdrew the name, and made another ap-
polntment. He named as Secretary OF
State, his Galena neighbor, one Of the most
unfit men In the country, whose brief reign
was like that Of a bull in China shop. His
Attorney General was one who had joined
in the costly presents made TO the Presiden:
elect. And thus the farce went on.
The performances of Grant, while they
amused the Democracy and chagrined the
Radicals, created apprehension and alarm
in the Senate, and determination to hold
on to the advantage conferred by the Tenure
of Office Law. That body, from an inclina-
ton to be liberal to Grant, suddenly tight
cned its grip. 1t determined not to loose
its hold OF the curb that had served to re-
. strain johnson, and that Grant must be
forced to wear. They felt that even if his
party fealty was assured, his discretion was
not, and could not be. And so the curb
remains.
The President has filled many of the
most important positions with his relatives.
and the connections, near and remote, OF
his wife. THIS unparalleled nepotism has
excited universal comment, and his party
friends are disguised with it. In fact the
blundering imbecility, the nefarious nepot-
ism, and the ridiculous blunders of Grant
have called down upon him the curses of
Radicals high and low. In Washington
full vent is given to the rage and disgust
: Of those who elevated him to the position
which he seems to regard chiefly as an OPP
portunity for enriching his relatives and
~ oh 10 liz,
hypocrisy Of the campaign is at an end,
and it is now as common in Washington to
hear Republicans abusing the President as
it was to hear them indulging in fulsome
praise of him a short month ago.
Those who predicted that the new Presi-
dent would disarm criticism by iudicious
action, who looked for a wise ad1ninistra-
ton OF the government, who expected to
see him take the lead in effecting reforms,
who promised economy, who prated of the
good time to come, when Grant should take
the place of Andrew johnson, have all been
sadly disappointed. The first month of his
administration has been spent in petty and
disgusting squabbles over the spoils, and
nothing has yet transpired to encourag e
the hope that Grants administration will be
productive Of any good to the country. If
we are to judge of the future by the first
month, his entire rule will be disastrous and
disgraceful.
There never was a time when so many of our
young men could pay up the debts and con-
tracts by starting In business lfe as since the
Republican party has been in power Bangor
Wing.
If the Wing refers to the debt of nature, it
is right. The Republican party caused hosts
of young men to pay that debt, and Southern
battle1elds are full of receipts in full on the
headboards.
The Bangor Wing in enumerating the many
virtues Of the virtuous radical party, says
Taxation is adjusted in such manner that
the luxurles of life bear the chief burden of
government"
As a convincing example of which common
salt might be named-a rare luxury, that poor
men have no need to taste and that is taxed