The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-13
TEE pRESInGaEIAL QUESTION.
Should General Grant BE Reelected ?-Important
Declarations Of Western Re-
publican Organ

From the Cincinnati Commercial republicanl,
We would prefer 10 sec General Grant
retire from the Presidency at the end OF his present
term, because we are against the cultivation OF
hero worship and the one man power-because we
do not believe in the system Of ascriblng to one
man the heroism ana the industry, the historical
glory the productive energy of the nation 1t is
not well for a people, especially a republican
people, to hold the doctrine that their
welfare depends upon the leadership Of
an individual In the first place, 1t Is not true
that great people can be unable to care for them
selves TO the best advantage. save through some
one Of the heroes OF the day. Tie people OF the
United states, very large proportion OF them are
too much In The habit OF talking, as II Grant had
crushed the rebellion and vas paying the debt, and
doing everything worth doing. As a matter Of
fact his performance as President has not been ex-
cellcnt. The country has grown out OF debt aud
into peaceful ways, as IT would have grown any
merits have been rather IN not doing
than in dons. He is not an incorrlgloie
and that is one great comost; ana ne Is
beng slowly taught by events, the amnesty passage
IN ms message being an indication Q! progress That
not been good. We do not charge him with having
been corrupted by presents, but his presenttaking
people Tor second term the result would be dis
astrous The Distribution Of Offices among ms rela-
tives and his ana their personal friends has Injected
the whole civil service with nepotsm. The un-
wholesome result Is to De seen on al sides. His
frequent ana protracted absence from Washington
has promoted absentcelsm; las prOpagated the
theory That Oincia duties are matters OF
much smoking anu riding about, and that 1t re-
qulres great deal OF acknowledgement in the guise Of
recreation III order TO be III fashion. Not only mas
the theory been propagaed, the practice has been
promoted. The absenleesm ana neaotsm, and
present taking Of the President which we believe
have seriously demorazed the civil service, DO
not seem TO grow out OF inherent carelessness or
vlcousness; tue President has simply too tar
cepted his adulators' estimate or his per-
sonai Importance, OF his indispensable con-
sequence. He has too nearly accepted
the nattery that would persaaae Chief
Magistrate that the ofllce Is testimonial OF public
regard for him personally, and Is 10 ne taken as a
compliment ana used at convenience. Throughout
the administration or President Grant has appeared
the evidence that he was less appreciauve of the
stern demands opublic duty than susceptible TO the
allurements OF private interest and convenience
and personal feeling.
The best thought OF the country 10 in favor OF q
change in the CHEF Maglslracy. The tone OF the
administrator should be improved, as it cannot De
improved without that change. Still the chances
are that nothing can be done. The democracy Will,
in all probability, to IL that Grant Is reelected,
and We can stand 1t II they can.