The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-08
sR1RIx OF xzn PRESS.
Editorial Opinions Of tho Leading Journals
Upon Ourront TOpics-OOmDlled RverV
Day for the Evening Telegraph.
WILL GENERAL GRANTS ADMINISTRA-

from the N. Z. Hefdld.
Never since the foundation of our Govern
mont has an administration come into power
with more ecldt, with greater advantages, or
more opportunities to acquire enduring fame
than the present one; but we have yet to see
If General Grant understands the splendid
position he holds or has the ability to use these
favorable circumstances to make himself as
famous in government as he was in war. Will
he become another jackson, or greater than
jackson, and close his administration with as
much populority as old Hickory Or will
he go out as ingloriously as Buchanan and
sink into similar disgrace and obscurityp
Eleven out of the first twelve months of his
four years Presidency have passed with little
promise. The next three years will show
whether he will improve by time as wine does
by age.
There can be no question as to General
Grants elevated patriotism, true republican
principles, in the general sense of the term,
or of the honesty and kindness Of his heart.
His public career during the war
and since has proved that. Nor is the
President incapable of learning craftsmanship.
He has large fund of practical common
sense, and common sense is the first quality
of q statesman. During the war he advanced
in knowledge by experience and showed him
self competent for every emergency. Though
he commenced as colonel of regiment, and
had never been in command of larger force
he rose through his military genius and prac-
tical sense to the command of all the armies.
1t is true the foundation of this brilliant mill
tary career was laid in West Point educa-
tion and some little service previously in the
Army; but without genius or great ability he
never Ecould have gained the victories
he did gain or have carried out that
glorious campaign which closed up the war.
Looking, then, at his great success as a mill
tary man, we might hope for the display of
uncommon talents in the administration of
the Government We find many examples in
history of great commanders becoming the
first Of statesmen. Caesar, the first Napoleon
the Duke of Wellington, and others may be
named as examples We are aware that
General Grant had no experience or training
in civil affairs till he attained, short time
since, the elevated position he occupies-had
never been even in q local legislature or en-
ployed as q civil officer; but the same quail
ties of mind which distinguished him so
much as general might make him a great
statesman, were he to apply them with indus
try and ambition to civil affairs. 1t is only
necessary, we believe, that he should cut
loose from the weak men and mere politicians
that surround him, trust to his own practical
common sense and patriotic impulses, and
act Independently for the good and glory of
the country.
General Grants conduct at the close of the
war, and for some time after, showed broad
and correct views of national affairs and indi-
Gated ability for craftsmanship. Immediately
after the Rebellion was suppressed he wished
to see the Union restored at once and the sad
memories of the war obliterated as soon as
possible 1t was evident he did not favor
then, and for some time afterwards, the pro-
longed reconstruction agitation, proscrip-
tion of the Southerners or the party polit-
cal object of Congress in keeping the
0f Ha ho1
large and liberal views then. 1t will be
remembered, too, how broadly national and
patriotic he was on the question of the French
occupation of Mexico, when he boldly pro-
posed to march an army across the Rio Grande
to drive the French from American soil. In
fact, on all questions both of domestic and
foreign character he was liberal, republican,
and American to the core. His heart is right,
doubtless, but he has trusted to others when
he should have followed his own impulses,
has suffered himself to be the tool of a fac
tion when he had the people with him and
the power to carry out his own policy, and is
now only drifting along as few men direct
him, because he wishes to avoid trouble and
to take things easy. He seems to have lost
in measure his independence and ambition
since he became President.
None of General Grants predecessors had
the opportunity he has for accomplishing
great things and acquiring fame. He is Pre-
sident when the Republic is undergoing &
great material, social and political revolution
partly as result of the war and partly from
the wonderful developments of the age. Tht
American Republic with its forty millions o.
intelligent and intensely active citizens, it,
boundless and varied resources and wonderful
future, holds the first position among nations
and is the one to which the people of al
others are looking as the hope of the world
General Grant holds the helm of affairs jus
as we have commenced this new era of pro
gress and greatness. Will he comprehend thi
and the glorious opportunity before him
Instead of suffering himself to be clogged il
the mire of party politics, or to be controlle
byweak and narrow-minded politicians, can b
raise himself up to the grandeur of the occs
sion and high aspirations Of the nation? Con
press is weak and tossed about like ship 8
sea without q rudder. II wants to be steereG
It needs guiding hand. The dominant part
that elected General Grant looks to the az
ministration for maintaining its power, an
would be glad to follow the President in an
popular course he might mark out for hin
self Reconstruction is about to be finished
and will no longer be a political question
There remain the various questions pertainir
to the national finances and taxation. Wit
regard to these the President may do som
thing beneficial to the country. He can CT
down all expenditures of the departments
the lowest figures, and thus save IN
lions q year. He can use his pow
to check the extravaganza of Congress
and by On improved system Of taxatiC
to lessen the burdens of the people. He CT
set his face against the national bank mon
poly and the schemes in Congress now to j
crease its enormous power and profits at &
exnenaa Of the nublic There is a broad fie