Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-02-10
1879.

THE formation of Grant Clubs in the
city of New York is a significant sign of
the tendencyof opinion in the Republican
party. II shows that the convictinp of
the denomination of the President is so |
strong that gentlemen are willing to pro-
nounce for him, thereby prejudice |
ing their chances with any other |
possible candidate. There is, indeed, |
no other serious candidacy, and the |
reason undoubtedly Is that the administra-
ton of General Grant is felt to be, upon
the whole, honest, efficient and satisfac- |
cism from its friends, in which we have
borne part but its great merit is that 1t
has practically persuaded the great mass of
intelligent American citizens that 1t seeks
unostentatiously and economically the pub
lie welfare. A certain good sense has pre-.
sided over 1t throughout; and, attacked
with a rancor which from its extravagance
has been often ludicrous, it has yet main
tanned its even way, and has quietly lived
down great many imposing accusa-
tions.
Indeed, feeble Republican administra-
ton would be more trusted by the country
than any Democratic administration what
ever. For the permanent fact in the
political situation which Is universally
seen and pondered is that the Democratic
party Is the party which sneers at the war
and the victory of the Union, and which
steadily honors the cause and the leaders
of the rebellion. 1t is by Democratic
votes that General Blair, who would have
relinquished the victory in which he took
part, is elected to the Senate. 1t is by
Democratic votes that portrait of General
Lee is ordered by the Virginia Senate, and
portrait of General Thomas is declined.
1t is by Democratic papers that General
Longstreet is decried, because he
did not persist in his hostile atti
tude to the Government. II is by Dem
ocratic papers, in fine, that rebels
are extolled, and the great results of the
war are belittled Meanwhile the leaders
of that party are seen to be substantially
unchanged. The old Copperhead element
is supreme. The party orators and papers
cry out against Republican extravaganza
and corruption, while in the government
of the City of New York the wholecoun-
try beholds an illustration Of Democratic
economy and honesty!
There is, therefore, and most Justly, in
the great popular heart of this country, a
profound distrust of the Democratic party.
If man thinks the taxes heavy, he sees
that the dominant party has both dimin-
ished the debt and reduced taxation, and
asks himself whether he can fairly expect
any speedier relief from the party whose
last declared policy was virtually repudia-
tion. He looks at General Grant in the
| White House, who, as General Blair told
us, would undoubtedly make himself EN-
peror, and he asks himself whether the
country would have been more peaceful
and prosperous and stable if Mr.. Seymour
had been placed there. He sees everywhere
tranquil and confident industry, and such
a restoration of order as no country ever
showed after so fierce convulsion as that
of the war, and he asks himself whether
industry would be more tranquil and con-
fdent and order more assured, if those
who made the great and bloody disorder
should be called to control affairs. He
sees that the intelligence, the rural labor,
the moral sentiment of the country in
stinctively favor Republican rule, and he
asks himself whether the cause of indi-
vidual liberty, of education, of moral pro-
gress, of the general welfare, is likely to
be more advanced by party TO which the
ignorant and vicious classes naturally
gravitate. tsf
And this man sees that the Republican
cause-at once patriotic, and full of the
glorious traditions of the pure devotion
and heroism and results of the war, and
progressive in the truest American sense
the cause which is that of all our bes
principles and of our most Legitimate
hopes-is satisfactorily represented to the
popular mind by the honest purpose, the
sturdy good sense and simplicity, of Gen
eral Grant. 1t does not make him an idea
hero. 1t does not deny. that it wishes
some things might be different in his ad
ministration, as, indeed, in every admins
tration. 1t does not defend or praise every
measure; but it judges him by the charac
ter of his whole administration, and 1t de
clares that it finds him sensible, sincere
uprighti man who does not believe tina
the old day of slavery was better than th,
new day of liberty who does not wish t
try how far he can venture to return to
ward a policy which the country has re
jected; but who does wish to confirm AM
strengthen the country in its new and tru
policy of equal rights for all men.
D.ring Mr.. Lincoln's first term, and il
the very crisis of the war, there were thos
who thought it would be wise to try a new
candidate who had not been so seyerel,
thrilling shout of unanimity with whicl
he was renominated in Baltimore knew
that it was the voice of that great popula
confidence, which was only the surer be
cause it was not blinded by idolatry. TIL
good sense of the people renominate,
! Lincoln, as it elected Grant. The same sa
gacity Is now turning to Grant, as maj
: who has faithfully served the country, an,
J whom the country heartily trusts.-Har
per's Weekly.