Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-15
TWO YEARS-OF PRESIDENT GRANT.

two IEdRO-OF flfEOIDEN1 OhdNI.
The Albany Journal in an article re-
viewing the two years of President Grants
administration which closed on the 4th of
this month says:
We shall not deny that President Grant has
made some mistakes. Neither for the glory
Of his public Administration nor for the vindi-
cation of his personal fitness is it necessary to
claim exemption from errors. Such immuni-
ty does not belong to common humanity. Gen.
Grant entered upon the Presidency strongly
endowed with saving sense, but entirely des-
titute of civil experience. The popular mind
pointed to him, not for any familiarity with
political arts or for any discipline in the arena
of public affairs, but for his sound sagacty,
his prudent temper and his impregnable in
tegrity. If he has made occasional mistakes
in appointments, if he has sometimes mis-
Judged upon other points, he has only done
that to which the most trained and dexterous
statesmen are themselves liable. We do not
seek to throw veil over anv errors. The
warmest friendship has no need to deny them.
In the grand account they will make but
small figure. While they are magnifed in the
foreground of the present, the perspective of
history and the superior proportions of the
grand main work will reduce them to insig-
nifcant dimensions.
The mistakes have been comparatively
trivial-the general success has been conspic-
uous and commanding. President Grant sue
ceeded an administration of Incompatible
corruption. The public service had been
UNNECESSARILY debauched. In the varied and
obstinate conflicts between the Executive and
legislative branches, laxity and demoraliza-
ton had spread everywhere. But this fetid
tide of corruption was promptly arrested by
General Grant and his faithful counselors
He at once infused higher and purer tone
throughout the public service. He rigorous
ly executed the laws. He honestly collected
the revenues. He impressed a new vigor and
efficiency upon the whole army of functiona-
ries from the highest to the lowest. At the
same time, he enforced a rigid economy in
expenditures. Without Ostentation or display
he inauguratel the sound general policy ard
the series of practical measures which the
welfare of the nation demanded.
The result is before us. General Grant has
not aimed at brilliant schemes. He has no,
attempted to dazzle the country with splendid
conceptions and bold measures. But in the
solid, substantial work of prosperous peace
no Administration in our history has beer
more successful. Consider what it has done
1t has paid more than two hundred millions OF
the debt. 1t has largely improved the public
Credit. 1t has added fully fourth to the
value of the money in every mans pocket.
1t has, in conjunction with Congress, lifted
eighty millions from the annual burdens of
the people. 1t has initiated the refundng of
the debt which when consummated will save
millions every year. 1t has completed recon-
struction and restored every State to full rep
reservation. 1t has perfected the guarantees
Of the Union upon the basis of equal rights
Upon foreign questions, it has been firm with.
out turbulence and prudent without timidty
1t has guided the nation with discreet direc-
ton through threatening seas, maintaining
our honor untarnshed and preserving us from
all perilous entanglements. In word, it has
given us peace abroad and security at home,
perfecting permanent settlement of the most
momentons political problems and conducting
US far upon the path Of financial repose and
ease.
In the general expectations which the coun-
try cherished as to General Grants Admins
tration it has not been disappointed. The
modest chieftain whose name is so insepara-
bly, blended with the greatest epoch in the his
ory of the Republic is quietly putting the
civil crown upon his military work. The two
years of his Presidency have been years Of
steady advance. Upon every important ques-
ton of public policy we have made splendid
progress. Debt, taxation, expenditures. the
annual drain and the annual waste, domestic
discussions and foreign difficulties present no
such 'borrid front as they then exhibited.
The popular confidence in the integrity of
character. the honesty of purpose, the sobriety
ofjudgment, the strong self-poise and robust
sense of the Presidents unimpaired. He has
steadily grown. He makes less mistakes now
than at the outset. He has acquired political
experience and knowledge. Possessing the
same high native qualities, he is daily becom-
ing better equipped for his exalted duties. AT
the beginning of his military career he was
the subject of not infrequent criticism. His
methods and his independence were not COM
pretended. He was often personally de-
nounced and professionally condemned. 1t
was not until Vicksburg yielded to his strate-
gy,ha'the country fully measured his strength
anu greatness, and his civil administration
VIII not unlikely present parallel. If the
.. A. .so years shall show an improvement
upon the past two, it will only be in the nat
0rai order OF things. For such an advance
we may reasonably look, with full confidence
that Republican rule will commend itself here
after as it has heretofore.