The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-12-20
THE PRESS.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, DEC. 20, 1871


Soootor T ooo,, was hasty, as he often is,
,,,bo,, ha unmarked in the course OF the Sen
ate debate of Monday that the administration
sono,ors shave made the country believe that |
Gem Grant breads an investigation" Is, |
however, unfortunately true that the course |
of Gen. Grants supporters in the Senate has |
caused an impression to prevail among peo-
nile who have not carefully read full reports
of the debates, and who have consequently
misapprshended their position, that they
dread an investigation. This wrong impress
sion must be removed by the decided meas
ures that have now been initiated by these
very Senators for a searching and fearless in
vestigation As for the President himself,
his whole course from the beginning affords
ample assurance that he will throw no obsta-
cles in the way of the men who desire to
probe the management of national affairs to
the bottom.
1t is to be expected that some abuses will
be discovered, and that the Committee ap-
pointed by the Senate will unearth more or
less frauds committed by the subordinate Off
GERS of the government. 1t is not probable
that any evidence tending to implicate
Gen. Grant or any of the chiefs OF depart
ments will be brought to light. But If there
is any such evidence-if, as the Schurz-Tip-
ton faction in the Senate hopes to prove, cor
ruption has tainted our government at the
very fountain-he ad-it is very important that
the American people should know it no,c.
And the President and his Cabinet may be
certain that if they are found guilty of any
dishonorable action, or if so much as
reasonable suspicion is cast on their
integrity, the people will instantly begin to
look about them for their successors. We
propose to support President Grant for re-
nomination and reelection, and we have not
the faintest expectation that anything will oc-
cur to change that purpose. But we have no
hesitation in making solemn pledge to our
readers that if the Investigation foot by
the Senate Committee, Mr.. Lynchs commit
tee or any other inquisition into the affairs of
the government shall disclose anything impli-
eating Gen. Grant, they will not be insulted
by anything in these columns defending him or
recommending him further to their conf
dence and support.
THERE are certain members of the United
States Senate who claim to represent or oacn
the Republican party who are doing it good
deal more mischief than Sumner, Trumbull
aud Schurz and their associates who are in OPP
en- or covert opposition to the administration
The Mortons and Conklings are losing the re-
spect and confidence of the country. They
have so many times recently placed them
selves, the party and the administra-
ton in a false and ridiculous posi-
ton, that the sooner their pretensions to
leadership are generally repudiated by the
Republican press the better. As specimen
of ingenious laundering their recent appear
ance of opposition to the investigation pro-
posed by some of their senatorial associates
is unrivalled in the political history of the
country. 1t is a fortunate thing that there
is about to be a recess of the body
to which they belong, and if they min
gle much with their constituents they
will unquestionably hear much that will be
greatly to their advantage, if they will attend
to it. The Republican masses welcome the
proposed Investigation, and feel nothing but
duu luuiS5udblOu T6C6uG IOOLSu
proceedings in the Senate. The House by
promptly and unanimously ordering the
investigation proposed by Mr.. Lynch has
much more satisfactorily represented the
opinions and wishes of the country.
A CUBAN letter says the recommendation of
President Grant relative to the withdrawal of
the protection Of the Government from Ameri-
cans in Cuba who hold slaves has been the most
effective blow yet given to slavery in the island.
Go where one within the towns or on the PLAN
tations-Amercans are found who own slaves.
Some of the largest slave plantations are owned
bp persons residing in the United States. A
Boston house owns three New York house
five, and Philadelphia firm four. The letter
says: eff the names of some of these slave
owners were published, what a cry would be
raised in upper-tendom! and if the State De-
partment would make but the slightest inquiry,
how it would be astonished. at seeing certain
names among the Cuban slave-ownersp'
Low Tom Jones huys his hottIe of hon zina