New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-08
THE ADMINISTRATION.

The President has lately made some appoint
ments, local and national, that have provoked
comment. He favored policy with reference
to West Indian annexation which has not met
the approval of Congress. There are rumors
of some impending Cabinet changes.
Thereupon the cheerful prophets of defeat
come out vigorously in their favOrite charac-
tiers. They are sure that Grant is becoming
very unpopular They regard his course as
ruinOus to the Republican party. They feel
sure that his Administration is dropping to
pieces The fact that these prophets are
mostly Democrats, OF worse might with some
preudiced people, disturb confidence in the
veracity, if not in the sagacity, of their pre-
dictiOns. Nevertheless they make certain
noise, and command a certain attention, which
may warrant giving them little notice.
What is there to complain about 7 We have
not favored the San Domingo movement; but
is il strange or crime that an American
President should wish to aggrandize his Coun-
try We have not always been able to like
Gen. Grants appointments but we do not
Just now recall any President, all of whose
appointments we did like. What would gen.
tlemen have? Do they remember how they
later speculation in the Danish West IndiesG
Can they recall any particular set of nomina-
tons for New York City that was received
with cOnsenting cheers from all parties and
factiOnsP
Gen. Grant made one pledge at the outset
which did almost as much to endear him to
the popular heart as did his great services in
the field. 81 shall have no policy" he said,
" to enforce against the will of the people"
He has kept his word, and we do not doubt
that he will keep it to the end. There never
was President who sUbOrdinated his own will
more thoroughly and unreservedly to that of
the people; there never was a President who
submitted more cheerfully to the adverse
action of Congress; there never was a
President more unpretending, less eXacting,
more sincerely anxious to execute the laws,
preserve public tranquility, and discharge fairly
and impartially all the duties of his Office.
He thinks, as a great many Others think, that
it would be wise to secure a fOOthOld in the
West Indies. The Senate disagrees with him,
and the matter is ended at once. He thinks,
as great many others think, that a certain
set of appointments for New-York City will
strengthen the public service and promote the
triumph of sound political principles. The
Senate may possibly disagree with him again;
and, if it should, the whole matter will pass
out of sight as quietly as the Baez treaty.
Thank Heaven we have President who has
no policy to enforce against the will of the
people.
We protest against this picayune way of
Judging an Administration by local APP
pointment, or an isolated movement Gen.
Grant has a solid basis of actual achievements,
on which the Country may be safely trusted to
pronounce judgment. He has taken the most
profigate system of civil service the Govern
ment ever knew and has made it efficient,
honest and economical. He has stopped
the thefts, and has fairly collected the
public revenue. He has made large pay
ments on the Public Debt, and yet
SO managed the Finances that we can
largely reduce taxation. He has sedulOusly
preserved the peace abroad, and saved us mil
lions on the frontier by an Indian policy at
once new, Christian and in the main success
full. He has done all in his power to hasten
the completion of our Reconstruction, and he
has given his influence steadily for the resto-
ration of harmony and good feeling between
the lately warning sections. These are great
things Opinions may differ about an occa-
sional appointment they will not differ in
pronouncng these the elements of a substan-
tial and enduring success.