The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-11-19
rH17, PRESS.
Saturday Morning, November 49, 1871


JUDGE Dent. the Presidents brother'in-iaw, |
has denied that he is interested in the McGar-
rabap claim or that he has ever spoken 10
Gen. Grant on the subject. The report bad
all the indicia of fraud before this denial was
made, and it ought to have received no cre-
denee anywhere. But there is sudden and
extensive growth of credulty in certain quar-
tiers, and if the President should be accused
as Mark Twain says he was when running
for Governor of New York. of burning lu-
naiic asylum with all its inmates because the
building obstructed the view from the White
House the Democrats and Revenue Reform
ers" would believe it. This is to be expected
of the Democrats, but why should the "Reve
nue. Reformers" be so ready to believe that
the President is thiefP Papers like the N.
Y. Eoening Post and Others nearer home that
might be mentioned, publish every disparae-
ing criticism of Gen. Grant and every malig-
nant fabrication concerning his character or
conduct with as much eagerness as the most
rabid Democratic sheet. There seems to be
concerted movement against him on the part
OF half-and-half Republican journals, especial
ly those that are identified with the independ-
ent "revenue REFORM party.
Who, then, are these Revenue Reform
ers" ?-men of spotess public and private
record, dsipterested motives and fervent long
inss for their country's happiness and pros
perity? Are they the hest men of all parties.
who, finding the old organization unequal to
the task of correcting the absurdities con-
nected With the tariff and the management of
the finances generally, have united for the
purpose of making bold and energetic strug-
gle for reform? Not at all. With hardly an
exception the leaders are conspicuous chiefly
as demagogues. When we say this we do not
by any means intend to include Stree trade
Republicans" for they constitute large and
valuable element of the party, and certainly
we do not include those Republicans who
talk, vote or act in favor of revenue reform
without making factious opposition to the on
ly party which has either the ability or the
disposition to effect any reform Whatever
This class of Republicans is very numerous
and embraces the majority of our public men
among whom we may name as particularly
conspicuous Gen. Grant, Secretary Boutwell,,
Secretary Delano and Gen. Cox, his predeces-
sor The demagogues are those who have an
tagonized their pretended reform movement
with the Republican party and who court the
distinctive title of Revenue Reformers These
men have no specific idea of reform which
distinguishes them and which constitutes a
clear dividing line between them and other
Republicans. Some OF them are simply free
traders that have taken the new name, like
the notorious Minnesota Donnely who is a
good representative OF the whole class They
have begun their work in a way that shows
conclusively that they are neither sincere nor
shrewd. Their first act is to associate them
selves with the Democrats in defaming the
man who has done more reform work than
any other occupant of the White House ever
did. Their organs are full OF the foulest SLAM
der, like that relating to the McGarrahan
claim. They delight in silly lies like that
which ascribes the Presidents distrust of
Commissioner Wilson of the Land Office TO
the latter's opposition to a dishonest scheme
OF the formers father. They follow the sam
in ascribipg to the Chief Magistrate venal
character and an empty brain.
The Revenue Reiormers, that is the disaf-
fected and Conservative Republicans, have
elected but few members of the next Con-
gress. They are SO few that they will hardly
be able, with all the differences of opinion
that exist among themselves, to compel their
recognition as distinct party. Those who
are most conservative will unite with the De
mocracy; the rest, tirIng Of the enterprise
will act with their old political associates.