The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-05

fruit sprung. They still insist in every
speech and platform that the results of the
great victory are unconstitutional and ile-
gal. They still resist in all legislation
every endeavor to carry into effect these
results, and to bring about the acceptance
of the situation thus produced. BY every
means in their power Short Of the actual
continuance of the war; they maintain the
conflict and resist the result of the victory.
They are the hope of disorganizers every
where. They look to renewing their rela-
tions with them in the future as in the
past. A single instance embodies the spir-
it of all their action, and will suffice to show
how strengthening to traitors and how dam
gerous to the whole country would be the
renewal of their power. See the vote on
the payment of Southern claims, where the
whole Democratic Senate voted to pay al
most the whole rebel war claim.
Now, then, gentlemen, in questions
which involve only forms and methods
for the accomplishment of the same ends of
conceded propriety, and only questions Of
administration and policy, there is room for
discussion and difference of opinion and
practice. But when the question is vital
and involves the very spirit and essence Of
the government, and includes the question
as to whether the government shall live or
die, then, if there is safety in one opinion
and practice, there is danger and destruc-
ton in the other.
The Republican party cannot die while
this spirit lives or the country and its in
terests and the spirits of the constitution
will die with it.
In President Grant the great Republican
l., - ,Intn fnrtt1 n n
representative. He is one of the men who
joined it because of the principles it holds
and the attitude it assumes. And he be-
longs to it, not through personal or party
association, or education, but because he
believes that its principles represent. the
nations safety, development and destiny. !;
and he represents the interests of the whole
people.
In illustration of his fitness and ability
as the head of our government point with
out distrust to his success in the discharge
of every duty which the people have in
trusted to him. AS soldier, he redeemed
your country and re-established your gov
ernment. As statesman he will preserve,
protect and defend that country and gov
ernment, and all that makes the safety and
advancement of the one, the dignity and
honor of the other.
| The ability to command great armies and
guide great campaigns has been an index OF
ability for government since governments
began. We are so disarmed by the simpli-
city of his character that we are apt not to
appreciate him; but the mind which alone
was able to grasp and control in one har-
monous conception the elements of the
great rebellion the brain which alone was
competent to conceive in its endless details.
the great campaign which reached from the
Mississippi to the sea, swung steadily and
rrlentlessly on the pivot of his great mind
across continent from river to gulf, and
from the gulf to the shores of the sea.
Tempered by cool judgment and inspired
by unselfish patriotism, and pursuing no
policy against the will of the people, he
may safely be left to administer the settled
and defined functions of representative
government, safe from the criticisms OF
theorists and restless reformers, or the loud
attacks of smaller men, who were, in the
hour Of great emergency, dwarfed IN the
shadow of his great genius, or moved as
puppets to execute his will.
1t is true, as he himself has said, INC
man can hope to perform duties SO delicate
and responsible as pertain to the Presiden.
tial office without sometimes incurring the
hostility of those who deem their opinions
and wishes treated with insufficient con
sideration; but he who undertakes to CON
duct the affairs of great government as {
faithful public servant, if sustained by tht
approval of his own conscience, may rely
with confidence upon the candor and intel
ligence of free people, whose best inter
, ests he has striyen to serve, and can beal
with patience the censure of disappointed
men,"