The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-23
1872.


rhc formation of Grant Clubs in
tho city OF New York is q significant
sign Of tho tendency of opinion in
the Republican party. It shows
that the conviction of tho renomi-
nation Of tho President is so strong
that gentlemen arc willing to pro.
nounce for him, thereby prejudicing
their chances with any other poss.
ible candidate. There is, indeed,
no other serious candidacy, and tho
reason undoubtedly is that tho ad-
ADMINISTRATION Of General Grant is felt
to DO, upon tho whole, honest ofiic-
lent and satisfactory. 1t certainly
has not lacked criticism from its
friends, in which we have borne a
part; but its great merit is that il
has practically persuaded tho great
mass ofintolligent American citizens
that it socks unostentatiously and
economically tho public welfare. A
certain good sense has presided ovcr
it throughout; and, attacked with q
rancor which from its extravagance
has been often ludiorons, it has vet
maintained its even way, and has
quietly lived down o great many
imposing accusations.
Indeed, a feeble Republican ad-
ministration would be more trusted
by the country than shy Democratic
administration whatever. For tho
permanent fact in tho political sta.
alton which is universally seen and
pOadered is that tho Democratic
party which sneers at tho war and
the victory of the Union and which
steadily honors tho cause and tho
leaders OF the rebellion. It is by
Democratic votes that General Blair.
who would have rolinqnishcd tho
victory in which he took part, is
elected to the Senate. It is by Dem
ocratic votes that portrait of Gen.
oral Lee il ordered by the Virginia
Senate, and portrait of General
Thomas 10 declined. It's by Demo-
cratic papers that Gen'l Longstroet is
decried, because he did not persist in
his hostile attitude to the Govern.
mont. It's by Democratic papers,
in fine, that rebels arc extolled. and
the great results of the war are be.
Titled. Meanwhile the leaders OF
that party are seen to be substantial
ly unchanged. Tho old Copperhead
element is supreme. The party or.
ators and papers cry out against
Republican extravaganza and cor.
ruption, while in the government OF
the City of New York tho whole
country beholds an illustration of
Democratic economy and honesty!
q There 10, therefore, and most Justly,
in the great popular heart of this
country, a profound distrust of the
Democratic party. ia man thinks
the taxes heavy, he sees that the
dominant party has both diminished
the debt and reduced taxation. and
asks himself whothor he can fairly
expect any speedier relief from the
party whose last declared policy was
virtually Reputation. He looks at
Gen. Grant in the White House.
who, Us General Blair told VA, would
undoubtedly mako himself Emperor,
and ho asks himself whether the
country would have been more peace
ful and prosperous and stable II Mr..
Seymour had been placed there. He
secs everywhere tranquil and conf
don't industry, and such q restoration
Of order as no country ever showed
after so icrco o convulsion as that of
the war, and he asks himself wheth-
er industry would be moro TRANQUIL
and confident, and order moro as.
sured. if those who made tho great
and bloody disorder should be called
to control affairs. He eees that the
Intelligence, the rural labor. the
moral sentiment Of the country ia.
stinctively favor Republican rule, and |
no asks himself whether the cause of
individual liberty, of education, of |
moral progress, of tho general vel |
fare, is likely 10 be more advance ] bv
party to which the ignorant and |
7ic,ous classes naturally gravitate.
And this man rees that the Re- \
publican cause--at once patriotic.
and full OF the glorious traditions Of
The pure devotion and horoism and
results OF the war, and progressive
u the truest American sense, the
,ause which is that Of all our best
principles and of our most legitimate
hopes-is satisfactorily represented
% the popular mind by the honest
purpose, the sturdy good sense and
simplicity, of General Grant. 1t
does not make him an ideal hero. 1t
does not that it wishes some things
might be different in his administrs-
lion, as, indeed, in every administra-
lion. 1t does not defend or praise
every measure; but it judges him by
Tho character Of his whole admins
ration, and it declares that it finds
aim sensible, sincere, upright; man
who does not believe that the old
lay Of slavery was better than the
lew day Of liberty; who docs not
wish to try how far he can venture
Q return toward policy which the
country has rejected; but who does
vlsh to confirm and engthen the
country in its new and true policy of
quail rights for all men. II
During Mr.. Linooln's first term,
md in the very crisis of the war.
here were those who thought it
would Dc wise to try q new candi-
alto who had not been so seyerlv
riticised. But those who heard the
hriliing shout Of unanimitv with
'hich he was renominated in Balti. 4
loro know that it was the voice Of !.
nat great popular confidence, which
'as only the surer because it was y
OF blinded by idolatry. Tho good D
'nse OF the people renominatcd Lin. a
lin, as it elected Grant. The came :
gacity is now turning to Grant, as 4
man who has faithful served the al