The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-08-25
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POLITICAL.
Democratic Tactics.

q 10 Democratic Tactics.
o The ceaseless war waged against the Presi-
dent by Democratic Journals, says the New
York Times, is confession of weakness
which no raciness of style can effectually
conceal It is confession that the Demo-
cratic party is not prepared to discuss great
issues, and chooses rather to amuse and ex-
cite its adherents by pandering to passion
and prejudice.
of course personal attacks, especially if
pungent and unscrupulous, are always at
tractive to certain readers. And attacks
upon the chief officer of the Republic, con-
Quoted without reference to truth or decen-
cy, are natural characteristic of sensational
journalism. But they are sorry substitute
for intelligent political discussion. And
they indicate either malignity which
would degrade high position in order to
damage its occupant, or an unwillingness to
{ grapple with the living questions of the day
upon their merits We suspect that both Of
these causes operate in the assaults upon
General GRANT. 81 o., ...=.... ~. ...';..,
If the exigences of the Democracy re-
( auire that he be assailed, at least the criti-
cism should have some reference to the prin-
ciples or policy of his administration. His
position on leading questions is well under
stood. For example, he is for the mainten-
ance untarnished of the national credit. He
is for economy and retrenchment in every,
department He is for the faithful collec-
ton of the revenue, and the rigorous punish
ment of the knaves who evade it. He is
for the earliest possible completion of recon-
struction according to the terms of the law
These are some of the matters respecting
which General GRANTS opinions and pur-
poses are not in doubt.
| I Now, why does not the Democratic Press,
in its anxiety to write about the President,
discuss his views on these subjects If the
Democratic party prefers repudiation, as
from its Ohio resolutions and nomination
seems more than probable-or if it is against
economy and retrenchment-or if it is fa-
vorable to the knaves who defraud the
Treasury-or if it does not intend to accept
reconstruction or to abide by its consequences
why do not its journals say so in plain
terms and assail the President accordingly
These things have o general interest-tney
affect the welfare of the country and thu
career of parties as well as the position o
the President-and an opposition Pres
might properly expend upon them the ener
gy which is at present wasted in trivial ant
disreputablc diatribes directed against th
President as q man. :taa .a j1ava II
Orif the Democracy do not relish tn
topics we have indicated, there are other
4 concerning which they might invent opin
ions and purposes, and having attributes
them to the President, might, with shoy
of fairness, open batteries upon them. TIL
tariff is one topic of this kind-the finance
another the Indians thirtl-and doze
more might be brought together withou
II much effort. Will not the wise men of til
i Democratic Press, who now exhaust the
/ genius upon the cut and the cost of Generi
GRANTS apparel, enlighten the country VI
i on points of policy which directly affect il
/ condition and prospects 2
!, The present tactics of the party, ns r
vealed by Its newspapers, convey an in
! preston of weakness which threatens
rendor the coming canvass dull and uni
/ teresting. -ir - g.. an .--F