The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-25
THE PRESIDENTIAL POLICY OF GENE
RAJ GRANT.
From the London Spectator.

From the London Spectator.
The fall elections of Congressman in the
United States are now pending, and some
sharp contests are anticipated, for although
the people are not Immediately divided on
any important questions of principle, the bit
terness of party dissensions between Republi-
cans and Democrats is as keen as it ever was
The issue that is now placed before the
American people is personal one, and in
choosing between Democratic and Republican
candidates, the electors of the States simply
say Gay" or mo" to the question, "Are you
content with General Grants administra-
tion ~ At South Bend, in the State of In
diana Mr.. Schuyler Colfax, the Vice-Presi-
dent of the Union, has been making
powerful defense of the Govern
ment before a meeting of his old
constituents. Mr.. Colfax does not come
forward as a candidate, and indeed,
after public service of twenty years, he an
nounces his intention of retiring from public
life at the close of his term of service. Gene
raj Grant, he thinks, will be renominated
for the Presidency for 1872, and the country
will then expect to have an Eastern or South
ern Vice President joined in the nomination
with the Western President. Mr.. Colfax,
himself Western man, valves his claim to
reelection, but before quitting the scene of
political conflict in his native State, he has
put on record an able defense of
the Presidents policy against the
charges of the electioneering Democrats
MIR. Colfax has held the highest place in
Congress; for six years he was Speaker of
the House of Representatives, and was only
removed thence to take the chair in the
Senate as Vice-President. His statements
may be received with confidence in matters
of fact, and though English Liberals will not
find it easy to agree with some of his conclu-
sions-particularly in questions of fiscal
policy-they will, on the whole, acknowledge
that he has made out his case aud proved
"that the confidence reposed by the majority
OF the people, in 1868, in the election of a
Republican President and a Republican Con-
gress has not been misplaced"
General Grant was elected upon certain
professions of political faith which Mr. Col
fax enumerates. The more important are:-
equal civil and political rights for all under
our national authority" ''the condemnation
of all forms and plans of direct or indirect
reputation of the debt as a national crime;
1.-THE equalization and reduction of taxation;
''the reduction of the rate of interest on the
public debt as soon as refunding became
honestly possible;" and administrative re.
trenchment." Besides these important and
practical pledges, there were others of a more
sentimental character; ''peace" and sympa-
thy with oppressed peoples, amnesty to
all who cooperate in restoring CON
cord in the South" and ''the
European doctrine of once subject always
subject to be resisted at every hazard,
'foreign emigration to be fostered," and
pensions to be ever considered as sacred
obligations. These were the promises that
General Grant made to the people when he
obtained power. The Democrats who now
assail his administration offered determined
opposition to the performance of several OF
these pledges, they still challenge the policy
of others; and with respect to the rest, they
insist that the President and his ad visers have
not kept faith with the nation. Mr. CoIfax
traverses all the points of the Republican