The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-11-15

r,hare was time Whoii eh0 Ahunuoioi
1.o;yed It to be for its Interest to assume an |
s.t;,ude of hostility toward this country.
Then its opinions concerning anything Amer
lean we're worthless. Its Judgement was
fatally impaired by prejudice. But since the
war, and especially since the ratification of
the Treaty of Washington, there is no reason
to suppose that the warm friendship for
America protested by the people of Great
Britain, and by their principals newspaper or
gan, the Times, is anything but a perfectly
sincere feeling. The opinions of the I'me"'
on American topics therefore, may ho"
taken as the honest expression Oh 'n' Wv"
of an impartial and friendly observer VIZ
.,e,o;o,,t,,, romoved from fhe lmmediaIe
- o1,r rolitical conflicts to judge calmly
and accurately. lata ar'lcie on wv ap
nroacbipg Presidential election Is 81 in'e'''
aut and lust that it is well worthy OF the atten-
80 - merican readers We quote all OF 1t
that is important:
The Republican Party, which was Drought
into mower by President Lincoln and with
him crushed the Confederacy, still remains
dominant in the most popuous, enlightened
and wealthy of the States. National neceSSl-
ties brought it into existence, and great sue
cesses have consolidated Its authority IL uf-
eed the North to immense exertions during
The Confederate secession, and reelected Mr..
Lincoln for second term, that he might
bring the war to conclusion. When Mr..
Lincoln was murdered, and the Vice-PreSi-
dent who succeeded him attempted to carry
out policy Of his own in dealing with the
conquered States, the Republicans by their
overwhelming majorities, entirely defeated
him. They nullfied his amnesty, they passed
acts for strict and severe government at the
South over his veto, they threatened MN
with impeachment. Long before his term
came to an eD1 it was known that the next
President would be one whose views agreed
with those of Congress, and who could be
trusted to execute its decisions. Gen, Grant
was elected, and assumed office in March,
1869, Although chosen as a successful Gen
eral, and without strict party pledges, his Ad-
ministration has been in accordance with the
prevailing opinions of the North, and he may
be called Republican President. During
the last six years the Democratic Party has
made great efforts to retrieve its position. In
Mr.. johnson it had virtual ally; and par
tial reaction which set i'll against the Repub-
Iicans after the war enabled it to achieve
some successes, and in most of the States TO
show bold front to its adversares. The
definitive result however, is that the Repub
licans maintain their position. The tide of
public opinion sets steadily in their favor.
| The State elections which ale held at this
season of the year have been decisive on this
| point. Three weeks since the Republicans
| carried Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Iowa by in
| creased majorities. In Pennsylvania they,
had Is, 900 majority, in Ohio 25 900, in Iowa
| 35 900. 1t is anticipated that the
November elections will tell the same
tale. Great importance is attached
to the vote of Pennsylvania, "the Key
stone State" as it has been called; for rs a
| rule that State has reflected with accuracy the
tendencies of the Union at large. Various
causes have combined to produce this preya-
| lence of Republican views. Of course, the
kgreat achievements of the war, and the con-
| viction that the party may be best trusted to
secure and consolidate what it gained in the
| contest, are the enduring bases of tbs Repub-
| iican power. But to these may be added the
| administrative and financial success of the
| last few years, and the favorable relations of
| country with foreign Powers. At the same
| time it would seem that the Democratic
Party has, whether justly or otherwise, lost
caste. A large majority of the best class OF
Americans are Republicans, perhaps for the
reason that some of the worst have taken the
lead in certain places on the other side. The
|
| appropriately of the Democrats. 1t is observ
ed that since the exposure of the Tammany
| frauds the Republican feeling has deepened
| and the late elections may have been largely
influenced by this incident The general
| opinion is that President Grant will be nomi-
mated for reelection. In favor OF this course
| will be the respect he has won, not only from
the Republicans, but from moderate men of
| all parties, by his honest and conscientious
| diccb of 6ntv apd In laJo of 1,o
| electors that they have in him a tried man
| ut for any emergency of the time. On the
other side, there is only the prejudice
| against electing the same man twice. This
| feeling has been very strong with the pres
| ent generation of Americans, and has.
| we believe, made single term for the Pres
idency almost a cardinal principle with some
politicians. 1t was not SO in the early days
OF the Union. On the establishment of the
Constitution in 1888, Washington was elect
ed President; he was reelected, and would
have been elected third time had he
not declined. After the Presidency OF
John Adams, three Presidents, jefferson,
Madison and Monroe successfully held Office
for two Presidential terms, and, in spite of
| Washinston's precedent, it is well known
| that Jefferson and Monroe were strongly
urged to allow themselves to be nominated
| for the third time. After the single term oil
John Quincy Adams, from 1925 TO 1929, Gen
| Jacks on succeeded, and he, too, was re-elect-
ed. Then the practice fell into disuse, and
no reelection occurred till that of Mr.
Lincoln, in 1864. Two popular Generals,
who might have had chance of reelection,
Harrison and Taylor, were each cut off early
in their term of office, aud succeeded by the
Vice-Presidents, who were men of no great
mark. 1t remains to be seen whether Gen.
| Grants merits and popularity will secure him
this high honor. We can only say that such
result of the coming discussions would be
received with the utmost satisfaction in this
country. The interests of England and the
| United States are now so interviewer in COM
mercial, and therefore, also, in political mat
tiers, that the character of the American Ex-
ecutive is of no small Importance to us, and
aoe believe the general opinion to be that the
States haze neUer had Government more
| straight. forward and conciEdtory than the
present in its foreign policy, and more to be
trusted by those aohose commercial and f.
| ndnciat interests are bound up avith the
maintenance Of american credit The firm
ness and moderation with which order has
been restored, the economical skill with which
the debt has been reduced, and the good will
with which international controversies have
been brought to close, make us anticipate
with satisfaction the election of Gen. Grant
to a second term Of Office.