New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-11-12
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.

,e promises, ana demand 1ul6llme0t
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
X The beauties of our government floy
70 from its tolerant spirit. Men are lef
X free to form their own judgments Of mat
;. tiers and things in general. A difference
r of opinion upon leading subjects neet
9 not therefore cause any serious alarm
! One man may be of opinion the represent
Z alive character of our government is il
danger Of being changed by an unscrupu
: lous and ambitious President into 8
despotic form that will suit his personal
, aims, while another man ventures an
, opinion that the Presidential Office is
, fast falling into disrepute. These are in.
, dividual opinions grauitously given to
+ the public as matter for reflection. Il
, not correct, they do no harm. On the
, contrary, they do good, for they keep
the public mind always on the alert.
There is wide difference Of opinion ex-
listing at this time as to the tendencies Of
our government under Republican con-
troll. Gentlemen of the opposition pro-
TESS to see danger ahead. They pretend
to believe the measures that have been
taken by the government as whole to
prevent lawlessness in the future, will be
taken advantage Of by the President to
secure his reflections; and after that he
will become President for life. Our con-
temporary, the Bulletin, thinks he might
become Presidential Protector, First
Consul, Grand Tribune, Emperor, OF
what not And the Bulletin differs in
its judgment Of President Grants abili-
ties, from the estimate placed upon them
by one Of Massachusetts, distinguished
sons, the Hon. Wendell Phillips. That
paper says:
| General Grants abilities have been COM
monty moderated, probably most Of all by
| his nearest political friends. He is not
brilliant. He has neither taste cOr tact for
dramatic display of his powers. whatever
they are. But, depend upon it, he is strong,
grasping, far-reaching, and. withal. is in
his way, extremely bold and adventurous;
qualities which unfriendly criticism may
lOus and fearless ambition.
Mr.. Phillips is evidently of the opinion
that President Grants abilities as Presi-
dent are overrated. He calls him third
rate President, and thinks the Presiden-
tial Office is fast playing out. He says
first-rate men are no longer chosen for
the place, and that occasionally a fifth
rate man obtains it. 1t is our opinion
that neither Of the authorities quoted are
correct, nor do we believe they are sus-'
tanned by public opinion. To say that a
President in this country can take advan-
tage Of power that has been delegated by
the people for noble purposes, and use
them for ignoble ends with impunity, is a |
serious reflection upon the nation. And
with equal severity does the charge that
none but third-rate men are now chosen
for President reflect upon the people. We
have not so far lost faith in the manhood, |
intelligence and virtue of the American
people as to believe that either of the
above conclusions arrived at by indi-
vidual authority-are correct. Nor do
we concur in the opinion of Mr.. Phillips
that there is tendency toward concen-
tration of power in the House of Repre-
sentatives, if he means by that to convey
the idea that that branch of the govern.
ment designs the abolition of the Presi-
dency. The House of Representatives is
but part Of coordinate branch of gov
eminent; it may help to hold the Presi-
dent to proper performance of his
duties. Beyond this, we believe, it would
find no support with the people, who
elect its members every two years. As
The direct representatives of the people,
The House Of Representatives, so long as
It reflects truthfully their wishes, is a
proper place for the concentration of
power, but the moment that body attempts
% usurp the functions Of the President
he fate Of its members so acting would
De sealed. There is nothing more GER
ain than this. The American people are
90 strongly welded to their system of
government to countenance any serious
Of one coordinate branch
lpon another. The duties of the execu-
i've, legislative and judicial departments
re clearly defined, and any departure
rom them is jealousy watched by the
'eople and the remedy applied by them '
s speedily as possible. This was the /
ase when President johnson thou ght he f
'as stronger than Congress, and attempt il
d to dictate course of reconstruction t
Or the Southern States We do not be-
eve that he ever entertained the silly Fl
lea of abolishing Congress, but he GER b
ainly felt like debating to that body n
hat it should do, and if the people had a
OF strengthened Congress the President
'ould have had his way. Ard in that i,
ase there was no such serious matter n
lrectly at issue as abolishing a co-ordin- o.
Ee branch Of government. It was SIM t.
~ adopting policy for reconstructing
tates that had been in rebellion. Had
resident johnson attempted the use of #
ktraordlnary powers, not conferred by it
w. such as were used by Cromwell to &C
st nd OF the Long Parliament, we would pr
ave considered him a fifth rate Pres;. sa
ENuA