The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-12-30
Uphill Work.

Inc great Antl-Gfanb GOfflDlnatlDn APP
pears 10 be making very poor Roadway
The men who we're announced az its lead
ers, and who were to give it its chief claim
to responsibility, are one by one dropping
out of its ranks and disclaiming all connec-
ton with it. Senator Trumbull refuses to
act the part assigned to him in the pro
gramme; Senator Sumner hesitates to fire
off his big gun in the shape of ne-term"
amendment to the Constitution, and even
Horace Greeley, perhaps miffed at the
subordinate part which he was to be allow
ed to play in the farce stigmatzes the
whole combination as Il 'tback stairs :
arrangement, with which he will have
nothing to do. The plan of the campaign,
so far as it has yet been made public, is so
puerile that it is no wonder any man Of
reputation hesitates to endorse it. And
yet it is probably as good plan as can be
devised to accomplish purpose so little
sought by the great mass of the people. 1t
furnishes the best proof in the world Of
the weakness of the opposition to Gen.
Grant, and of the absurdity of any combi-
nation among Republicans to defeat his
reelection. While confessiEg that the
main strength Of the combination is to
come from the Democratic Party. the sore
head Republicans hesitate to admit the
Democracy to any open alliance with them.
That the Democratic Party should, for one
moment, countenance programme that
places them in such a humiliating attitude,
only shows the depth of degradation to
which the party has sunk If they are to
furnish all the fighting material why should
they not have something to say in laying
out the plan of the campaign
The "passive policy" of the Democracy,
and the nerveless policy of their allies,
alike show that there is no solid, substan-
tial ground of opposition to the Admins
tration of Gen. Grant; for, if there were,
there would be no need Of these extraor-
binary combinations and baek-stairs )"
intrigues to defeat his reelection. Least
of all would there be any need of the petty
personal abuse and scandalous meddling
with the Presidents private affairs which
form the main staple Of the opposition
trades Show to the people that there are
any important principles at stake in the
next Presidential election, and that they
are likely to improve their condition or
promote the better welfare of the country
by a change in the Administration, and
they might be disposed to listen to politi-
clans who talk of defeating Gen. Grant.
But they are not going to make change
clans and disappointed office seekers; least
of all, to enable the Democratic Party to
crawl into power again under false colors.
! The great mass of the people sarp nothing
for Office, or for those whose main business
it is TO seek Office. If the Government is
economically conducted, the revenues hon
estly collected, tie taxes fairly adjusted,
and the peace and hIaa0r of the country
inf hny iaf boJt
| ming the risk of change which might bp
for the worse. All these things have been
| done under Gen. Grants Administration,
| if not to the entire satisfaction of every
| body, yet to the general satisfaction Of the
country, and there is no reason to believe
| that change would bring about any i'm
provement.
Besides, there IL 9 feeling of security in
| the country while Gen. Grant is President
that would not prevail under another Exec
| utive, even though he might have niorS
experinee as civilian and Statesman. The
revolutionary spirit still exhibited by a
| large portion Of the Southern people, in
Guiding many of tie rebet leaders, is not
| calculated to make the loyal people Of the
! country forget, as they would like to do,
the events of the late civil war. If the
declaration Of universal amnesty, which
we trust the President will be authorized
to make before the adjournment of the
present Congress, does not produce bet
ter effect upon Southern feeling THAN the
partial amnesty already granted has done,
there will be just cause for apprehension
that large portion CT the South has not
accepted, and does not propose to accept,
the results, of the war as final. In such
an event, the people choose to have Gen.
Grant, above all other men, in the Presi-
dental chair. They have perfect conf
dence in his fealty to the principles of the
Republican Party-in his devotion to the
Union Of the States and the supremacy OF
the fag-and they know from experience
his ability to maintain those principles and
defend that Union against all opposition.
Y !. Tinses.