The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-05-05
Teynoer of the Nation.

Gen. GRANT had the opportunity of re
storing peace and contentment to the coun
try. He was singularly favored with TIT
chance to win for himself greater renoWl
than he achieved in war and above that
the gratitude of hisp~country, which Il
worth more than military. glory. lie hat
but to respect the Constitution, respect
State and personal rights, confide in thu
people, trust the South, and leave tht
southern States to manage their local affair
as other States are left to the management
of theirs, and all would have gone smoothly
and orderly. The people would have pros
pcred, sectional hate been subdued, ant
harmony established throughout the land
This would have secured him the graft
tude Of the nation and afame more endu
ring than any that war could give him.
But Gen. GKANT has failed to seize Tho
opportunity. He has been dciuded init
the idea that he must keep alive sectional
hate and intlamc the northern prejudice;
against the South-in short, must revive
the animositicS and passions Of the wal
to ensure his reelection for L second presi
Dental term. Thus he has not only lost the
brilliant opportunity, but has proven his
Willingness to sacrifice the peace Of his
country TO crafty his ambition.
The people of the United States are tired
of strife they aIe alarmed at the Radical
invasions of the Constitution Impatient O
measures Of persecution Of the South, ant
shocked at the peril in which the nations
liberties are placed by giving to Genera
GRANT the power, at his own discretion, to
suspend all State authority and take the en-
tire power Of the Government in his own
hands. They are, therefore, gradually moy-
ing towards common ground of safety.
They are in great part thus moving invol-
unfairly, or, rather, drifting by the force OF
irresistible causes. General GRANTS ma
lice is as affected as his representations
calling for the kukiuX measures were hypo-
critical. In this the extreme and unprin-
cipled Radicals who have become his coun-
sellers are equally implicated with him.
Their motive is Office and public plumber.
But the people are not stimulated by
any such motive, and they are tired Of the
political agitation which rests upon malice,
calumny, and sectional strife. So, naturally,
they cannot be kept in a continual rage
with their fellow-citizens that such men as
the President, and BUTLER, and MORTON,
may retain Office. Human nature cannot.
be permanently implacable and ruthless.
Therefore the people Of the North are.
gradually but certainly separating from the
execrable leaders whose continuance in
office depends upon the prolongation of
discord and sectional hate.
Before the war if either of the great par:
ties-Whig and Democratic-had lost a.
hall-dozen leading newspapers by which 1t;
had been formerly supported, the conclu.I
sion would have been that defeat. would
certainly be its fate. The RadicafV party
has lost dozen, and among them the very
ablest journals in the list of its supporters.
We have before called attention to this
fatal sign, and named the papers. !.
In every part of the North there are un-
mistakeable indications that the people are
deViatlng from the Administration into a
pathway leading to brighter fields, and
geDtler and more beneticent temperatures
lie ablest men in Congress gave out the
notes OF warning, and appealed to the peo-
pie TO rally to the rescue of the Constitu!
ZION, and Of the liberties of the nation!
Iher warnings and appeal have not been
uhneeded, and now the General OF the
armies boldly declares. that there was no
necessity for the reconstruction or the kus
klux measures, and that had peace been
restored Immediately after the war -tne
southern people would have . acted ~ !
good faith" and "would have lived up ~
Inc very letter. Of the agreement tnat
might have been made. :. zf..,s. 80. J.
Clearly Gen. SHERMAN thinks the tiln 10 IL
hitting for these decided declarations. On
doubleday he knows that such assertions
may be made. without Injury 20 himself
We cannot for q snouent doubt tnat ne De-
lieves that these opinions will iali upon
ears that are ready TO receive them, and
patiently, and 5ustay consider them:
The war party, according to precedent
and reason. should have persisted with the
war. Their power has been prolonged unreal
sonably. But the signs portend their utter
defeat. Nothing can save them but folly
and rashness on the part Of their oppo-
nents. These opponents have had lessons
aud experience enough to have taught
them wisdom. If they but themselves set
the example of ignoring nil war issues-by
which alone the ultra Radical or war party
Z can De saved-G they band together with
out distinction Of party, and unite upon
true men, irrespective of their war record,
the. var party will be beaten and the coun-
try saved.
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Africa has taken high ground in Arkali.
sas, It y said. Whites appointed to. office