Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-05-21

I with the contemptuous way in which we some
times hear Gen. Grant spoken Of Even as 10
the war, there are those who talk as II he show
ed little conduct in it, and only blnndered blind
~ and stupidity upon all his good fortunes. Very
likely. to be sure. But have recollection that
from first 10 last the line of almost all great
| and decisive successes ran close by the steps of
this stupid and stumbling man. When the ma
| tnnal canse gained its first great opening
| triumph at DoneSOn, there was Grant, directing
in his dnll way. When the Union armies were
| pressing slowly, but with no returning steps
down the great central valley, this unintelligent
| man was BY them aud commanding them. When
| they gained the decisive victory of the whole
war at Vicksburg, shattering one rebel army
with blows unlocked for and coming quickly
one upon the other, and capturing another
rebel army entire, within ITS stronghold of in-
| caculable importance, there still was this dull
and heavy blunderer in command. And again,
| at Chattanooga, on day scarcely less eyentlul,
| he was still, unthlnkingy, in his place at the
head. And once more further on, at Richmond,
and at the last triumph and the final surrender,
| there, laundering and unconscionable, devoid of
understanding and as il he might never be
separated from aught that concerned the glory
and safety of his country,-there was this man
still at the head and in command.
In civil affairs different qualities are needed,
no doubt. Yet here, too, as to all the main
things, this man has held on in this same dull
habit of prosperous accomplishment. The
country has kept its honor abroad,
and has been at peace. 1t has had rest
and thrift. And while some wise men
may know that his administration ought to have
failed, every person who is not fool may see
that it has not. Those who do not like him can
tell us very shrewdly how, for this generally
prosperous course of affairs. we owe no thanks
to him, but nevertheless We may determine 10
be satisfied with an administration that keeps
its enemies thus busted in accounting for its
successes. We may be dull; but there is no
folly like that which can suppose that they are
small and insignificant men under whose hands
the courses of events are shaped in great and
critical periodsiiof public history, like that
through whiehzwe have lately passed. Ihey
may tell us that many of those who see General
Grant near at hand think most lightly OF him.
But perhaps, as often happens, our more distant
view is better. Perhaps, too, some of them are
slightly belOgged by the thinking that they
themselves ought to be in his place. At all
events, if the notion | have is only the "pOpu-
lar" one, shall still stand by the peoplea while
longer
WHO HINDERs REFORMS?
For appointments to office, has the president
ever stood in the way of any general plan that
could be proposed promising permanent i'm
provement? For sound basis for the curren-
cy, has he kept us back from il? For a further
removal of disabilities at the south-if that is
desired-has he opposed it? Every one knows
that in each particular, it is far the other way.
The trouble is in congress, or somewhere else
back of that IL, therefore, change must be
made, the people win conclude to make it,
should think, in that department which has
hindered reform and progress, and not in that
one which has not. But, indeed, there are some
of these things with respect to which the appli-
ance will have to be made first to the people
themselves. ..s...
WHO WILL BE PRESIDENT! tea. E
Well, l am not sure that j can tell. share
the general belief among republicans that it is
better for us that the democrats should take up
the Greeley ticket. That's safer than a straight
democratic ticket with. the Republican party di-
vided. How many men either way will be car
red over into the democratic camp to make
home there, is more than | know. 1t is good
place there, no doubt, to cultivate personal
purity and incorruptbe political morals A
little practical beginning of the reformation we
have seen in Connecticut. 1t is very cheerful
and promising. But l do not think we shall
take it up quite yet in Massachusetts. For the
general drift OF things over the country, your
means of Judging are much better than mine.
Yet for all that, "guess" we shall make up
our minds by and by to give Gen Grant just
one more term. CONWAY.