The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-07-31
fnformation.
Wendell Phillips On the ssadfcnl
Situation
From the Anti-Slavery Standard.

UNIVERSAL Sunragt-is tuS ItiiaCS" Va ooI ACn0.
ing sentimentalists. They have tried 1t in
Georgia, and that state shows us the result
The legislature came together Certain Demo-
cratic rebels scared therein had no les al right to
their seats, as they could not take the test oath
But legislatures have an absurd theory that they
are omnipotent and unfettered in Judging the
rights of their members. Acting on the theory
and misled by Col Bryant, we believe-at any
l.te Maine doughface of the Fessenden breed
the Republicans, white and black, agreed to
waive the test oath and allow these Democrats
to retain their seats This is one-half of the
timental creed-universal amnesty. Now note
the result. The aforesaid Democrats are no
sooner seated than they offer resolution that
blacks can hold no Office in Georgia, and hence
that the blacks-the men who had just given
them their seats--were not themselves entitled
to seats in the Legislature.
They refuse the blacks the right to vote on
that resolution, and straightway proceed them
selves to vote their preservers out Of the Legis.
lature nj, is the other half, you perceive. of
the sentimental panacea--unversal suffrage. See
the mag nanimity of rebels when generously ap-
pealed to! This is the Greeley patent to secure
and even enact justice all over the south But
we deny Mr.. Greeley's right TO have patent,
since the old rule "HeadsI ac.n; talsyoul ose" had
stated and applied the principle which underlies
his machine long before he was born to peddle
ethices calculated Qike almaEacs) for the meri.
dian of the Tribune but will answer for any
journal from the San up to Brick Pomeroy."
For four months, the Administration has left
Georgia under this rule--yes, without even pro-
test except the reluctant appointment of one or
two black postmasters. Hundreds-thousands-
of loval Georgians dared not vote at the last
election.
Now Virginia is added to the same list. I'm.
der this do-nothing policy-this no policy, in
fact, Virginia is given into the hands Of the
Democrats And, if we may trust tho current
news Texes and Mississippi are to follow in the
same path. We begin to lose what little faith
decrease of political assassination at the south
four months of office, and State after State laps
Ing into the hands Of the rebels-fo four months
OF office and no signs yet Of any plan or policy
to carry the nation through this critical hour
It is idle to say that, if tho Administration had
properly used its influence, Virginia could not
have kept been in the Republican party.
We are no bigoted partisan. But every sane
man secs the eminent fitness, indeed necessity Of
keeping the helm in the hands of that idea
which conquered in the rebellion. That idea is
represented more or less truly by the Republi.
can party, and by no other organization Still,
while the Chief Justice plots to bring rebels into
power, this shiftless and incapable Admnistra-
ton allows State after State to slip out of its
hands
Il is time some one should give note of warn.
ing. We gave johnson six months trial, and
are willing to wait as long for Grant. We
mecn, therefore, to express now only our serious
fears, not our settled dstrust.
When Grant. so absurdly, and without consul.
cation, flung an ADMINISTRATION ut tho country,
we tserobed At such proof Of his unfitness for
his great place A d every hours experience
with That Adm m,e alton has increased our fears.
There are All nv in that Cabinet men fully
equal to the spec al duties Of the place assigned
chem. But We utter only the unanimous judy
ment of men OF all parties VIXEN we say that, rs
Cabinet, az e unit, il is the weakest Cabinet the
nation has ever There are not more than
two Inen in it of any political significance or Of
any nat onal repute. There is only one man in
1t able To counsel his chief on the great issues,
and he shows no willingness to assume that re-
spOnSibiiity. a. Cabinet should represent the
party: 1t should be able to carry on the De-
partments-to counsel the President general
ques.ie-. This Cabinet is well enough fitted to
4 cary on the departments But 1t neither
rtrfesents the party, nor can it give that cOun-
sci which Grant needs more than any other of
his predecessors. Allow this let-alone policy to
continue and tho rebels will take the country in
1915 and will practically rule it much sooner.
Whos we demand of the thoughtless and timid
uioh WIN Hi'ue mcTc NuIHp captain Our pre5l'
dent, IL shat they save us from the consequences
OF taeic mistake by surrounding him with men
who oorprehend the hour and are brave enough
t. meet 10. Gen. Grant has all the physical
courage that the Virginia campaign of 1866
needed. lie has shown himself too weak and
irreaolute to Col duet the Virginia campaign of
1859. sole rs courage is one thing. Grant
has 1t. st sssman's courage is totally dis
tinct qualify. Hitherto President Grant has
given 40 evidence Of possessing it. In the camp
one o. his CHEF merits was that no knew how to
choose his agents admirably. In civil affairs he
has b,undered n this choice like child
We have no grudge against the President.
Whensver he has spoken a word Of statesmanlike
Significance no man has received it with more
grateful admiration than We have We hope he
may yet add to the marshal's baton the oaksn
crown of 8 successiul statesmsnship. We have
no partia.ity or spleen for or against any Repub-
lican. But we urge all true men to demand .
policy that shall at once crush open and disguis.
cd rehellion-Tombs, Stephens and Hamilton
all with one impartial blow; making property
and life safe wherever the flag floats
Were we able to approach the President, we
would remind him that the national honor is sol.
emily pledged to make tho flag protect every
loyal man under it. The soldier of Fort Don.
elson and Appomattox must surely feel this
Cattle--Firm. Choice steers, $7oO1SoUW; /.
If ID class, $70O9737, medium to good butch.
8 stock, $5.50GG50; common to choice cows :
ID hoifers, $5O085.50; inferior aud mixed
ock, S2.25@4OO. T.
tYr, l