The Sweetwater enterprise. (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1869-187?, 1870-04-14

political parties and their machinery and
this, 1 believe, my canvass of 1872 will
effect.
That the people are sick Of the present
administration is a proposition, l think,
that does not require to be urged but as
| have now taken a decided stand against
its continuance for another term Of four
years, and offered myself as q candidate
for the Presidential succession, q few pre-
limiuary observations on the general man
agement Of
OUR HOME n FOREIGN POLICY
will not be out of place. The administra-
ton of Gen. Grant, has been failure from
the beginning weak, vacilating and de-
fcicnt in moral courage, it commands nei-
Their the respect nor admiration of foreign
powers nor receives the active support of
its party. The general management of
our foreign and domestic affairs does not
seem to me to have risen to the dignity of
a policy, though it be allowed to have been
consistent in its various parts. 1t has been
destitute of that decision and irmness that
characterize the victorious soldier who is
now President. A decided Cuban policy
would not only have settled at once the in
eyitablo destiny of that island, but would
also have given republican sentiment in
Spain an impetus, strengthened the South
American republics and exercised a heal
thy influence in Mexico and Canada. But
instead of this we have to submit to the
consequences of
POLICY OF cowARDIcE.
American citizens abroad are murdered
by Spanish cut.throats, our Consuls are in-
suited, our flag is disgraced. This is I'M
worthy of the American nation, and the
people will hold Grant accountable. A
giant who never shows his strength is nei-
Their feared nor respected. On the impor-
tant question of taxation, the tariff and the
public debt, the Administration seems to
have no settled policy. Taxation, whether
for the support Of the Government or the
payment of the debt, should in all cases be
general and not special. No special in
t%erest, nor several special interests, should
be singled out to sustain an extra proper
ton Of taxation. And in regard to the
tariff the same principle should be enforc-
ed. Whether the public debt is a bless
ing or a curse, it exists. Created to save
the republic, it must be paid strictly ac-
cording to both the spirit and the letter
of the law. But there is no immediate
necessity for paying it off. By q proper
policy its payment must be made to extend
through a hundred years, for aver beyond
that time will the benefits its creation pro-
duced be felt and appreciated. In older
countries the pressure of national debt be-
comes a heavier charge and a more mighty
burden every succeeding year, but with us
the very reverse is the case. The devel-
opment Of our magnificent will
render our indebtedness easy Of accom-
plishment.
ALL OTHER QUESTIONS,
whether of a foreign or domestic nature,
stand illustrated by the Cuban policy of
tie administration. A bold, firm and,
withal, consistent national policy, if not at
all times strictly within the conservative
limits of international law, will always
command the respect and support of the
people.
With the view of taking the people into
my confidence, I have written several pa.
pers on governmental questions of impor.
lance and will submit them in due time,
For the present the foregoing must suffice
I anticipate criticism ; but however unfa.
vorable the comment this letter may evoke
l trust that my cincerity will not be call.
ed in question. I have deliberately anC
of my own accord placed myself before the
people as a candidate for the Presidency
of the United States, and having the means
courage, energy and strength necessary fol
the race intend to contest it to the close.
VICTORIA G. Woodruff.