The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-08-31
Grant a Usurper.

Had President johnson been guilty
Of half the enormities which Grant has
committed, Instead of escaping impeach-
mcnt by one vote only, he would scarce.
ly have had one vote in his favor.
Look, for instance, at his employment
of the navy, to influence the affairs Of
San Domingo. Look at the recent cm.
ploymcnt of the army, in the matter Of
party conveation in his own interest
at New Orleans. Look at his sending
the army aud the navy to the city of
New York, to overawe citizens at an
election. Look at his sending troops
into Philadelphia, for the same purpose.
Look at his sending troops into Mary,
land, aud statiouing them at various
election precincts on the day of the last
election. Look, also, at the fact that
he is now collecting 'an armed force at
many places in the Southern States, as
it is alleged aud believed, by way of
preparation for an armed Intervention
in the ensuing Presidential election, by
which he means, if necessary, to main.
tain himself in the Executive Office for
another term, if not for an indefinite
period! Can such things be, and
overcome US like summer cloud, with.
out our special wonder" Do not these
facts, taken collectively, prove to the
world that Grant is usurper, aud that
he will not scruple to overlap all bar.
riers, all bounds of authority, to accom-,
plish the purposes of his own imperious
will? .,l--5.
In reference to the San Domingo af.
fair, Senator Schurz, Of Missouri, while
addressing the Germans at Chicago, on
the 10Th instant, said:
There stands the naked usurpation.
No public danger provoked it; no public
interest was served by it; no public
voice called for it. The honor of the
country would have been far better
guarded without it. Not the shadow Of
a valid justification excuses it. A naked
act Of usurpation, performed merely to
further a favorite scheme of the White
House Aud for this the Constitution
was violated, and the peace of the couu.
try endangered. Aud can such an act
pass without the most energetic opposi.
tion of Congress, aud without emphatic
public condemnation 1t would seem
SO. And more than this, the same
officer Of the Government who was guilty
of this act was held up by great many
as the man above all others to be rein
vested with the power and honor of the
National Executive. Do you know
what that means.
We are living in country where
precedent often, but too often, acquires
the authority of law aud constitutional
rule. What is a mere fact to day is apt
to be looked upon as law to morrow.
If this act Of usurpation passes without
authoritive censurc, thus passing as a
precedent into our history, future Presi,
dents aud their sycophauts will find
therein sufficient proof that President
may arrogate to himself such power, for
President Grant has done SO, and done
SO not only with impunity, but the
American people, after he had done SO
had again rewarded him with the high.
est honors of the republic. And what
will that siguify2r, That henceiorward
the most fragrant aud willful breach of
the Constitution by President win be
considered no reason why the same
position of trust and power should not
be confded to him again. And, when
tho Republican party will meet 10
national convention, to select candi-
date for the Presidency, the question
will not merely be +: Do wo prefer this
man that is mentioned, but the question
will be-Are we prepared to sanction
executive usurpation If such ques.
tion should be submitted to the people,
it is to be hoped for the sake of the
Constitutional liberty in this country
and in the world, that the American
nation will not hesitate to give an au.
swcr worthy of a free people.