The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-19

services; and the most upright Of his sup
porters hoped that they had at last discovered
a President strong enough in reputation and
public confidence to disregard factions and
personal interests; but apparently General
Grants political knowledge and ability were
not proporhonate TO his military skill. Dur
ing the war he had shown both generosity
and Judgment in the choice of his lieu
tenants, and in his cordial appreciation OF
their services; but apparently as an Ameri-
can and a soldier he thinks that any man
is good enough for any civil Office. His
struggles against the domination of election
managers and trading politicians have con-
stantly become fainter; sand his early at
tempts to assert his independence in the
choice of his Ministers have been finally aban-
doned. Mr.. Hoar and Mr.. Cox have been
successfully sacrificed to the remonstrances
of partisans who complained that the At
torney- General and the Secretary of the To-
terror preferred the efficiency of the civil
service to the encouragement of Republican
voters. General Grants concessions are ne
cessarily attributed to his anxiety for re-elec-
ton; and the professional politicians are pre-
pared to play still further on his weakness
Mr.. Boutwell,, who, notwithstanding his de-
fects as a finencier, holds an independent
position, is expected to resign the Treasury,
and it is rumored that Mr. Fish is to make
room in the Department of State for Gene
raj Butler. Such an appointment would
indicate an immediate rupture with England,
with the Interior purpose of securing the
election in 1872 of a patriotic soldier as Pre-
sident. Although the President cannot de-
clare war without the assent of the Senate,
he can at any time give directions to the
army Or the navy which would render war
unavoidable. 1t would be unjust to the Pre-
sident to anticipate such policy on his part;
but it is known that General Butler has lately
L l..
During the last months of the war General
Grant stated, in published despatch or
general order, that General Butler and his
forces might as well have been corked up
in bottle as have held the position which
they had occupied throughout the campaign
In Difference to the opinion of the General
in-Cbief General Butler was dismissed from
his command, and he remained without en-
ployment during the remainder of the
war; 1t has since been remarked
that he has become the eulogist and friend
of General Grant, although persons of his
temperament are not in the habit of forgiv-
ing crushing Sights without sufficient reason.
Perhaps he could have secured no more effec-
tual revenge than by becoming the political
guide of his former military superior. Gene
raj Butler understands far better than the
President the manipulation of factions and of
elections; but it would appear from the cor
| IeSpCuueDCo OA tuo ItSISudtlOu VI MI. OOA
that he has found a docile pupil. 1t is un-
lucky that an English cruiser has had occasion
to capture an American vessel for Some real
or supposed trespass on the Canadian
fishing grounds. 1t is true that the act
may be justified if it is legal, and that
there will be no hesitation in disavowing and
repairing any error which may possibly have
been committed; but on several recent occa.
sions General Butter has endeavored to fasten
a quarrel on England in connexion with the
fisheries, and even if the trespass which LED
to the capture was not committed at his in
stigatiop, he will not fail to take the oppor
tunity of appealing to popular passion. There
are probably many Americans who would dis
approve of bloodshed and plunder deliberately
planned for the benefit of political adven
turers; but it is not the custom of the countr,
to defend by public protest the cause O.
justice or morality, which happens also to b'
the cause of England.