New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-06-01

obedience to the voice Oh uuty, oo"no' o"u
paints such an Administration as 1t Is has
none of the glow and excitement which comes
from attacking great and dangerous tyrant
There is always something of desperate dig
nity in the spectacle of Ajax defying the
LIGHTNING: but here we have the lightning
striking and whitening Ajax, which is
n much more practicable matter Neverthe-
less. this speech, considered from every point
of view. as pure literature, as work OF wide
research. as a contribution to the philosophy
of practical politics, no less than as mar
velously minute and truthful picture OF a
notable character and an interesting period
of history, will forever be regarded as one of
the few supreme manifestations of intellectual
power which our time has witnessed.
Whatever the partisans of Gen. Grant may
say to-day in the Senate and In the
press whatever his courtier- biographers may
hereafter write or print; however they may
praise him and denounce the merciless and
unflinching hand which has painted him, his
picture is drawn, and fixed forever. Its faith
funess is attested in every way-by concur
rent history, by internal probability and
harmony, and by the unassailable sanction OF
the name by which it is signed. 1t is not
without certain shrinking that the fastidlous
and cultivated Senator has brought himself
to give permanent form and shape to this
portrait of great soldier who has become so
small civilian. 1t is more irksome to him
than to most other men to reflect that history
must preserve this picture of the man whom
a majority of the American people made their
President, and whom a large number desire
to continue in that august magistracy. But
not trait has been spared. He gives the
cynical nepotism, the eager acceptance oil
presents, the reward of personal service by
public offices, the stolid, cOntemptuous dlsre-
gard of law, the disposition to shut him.
self up in close phalanx of congo
NAL creatures, which have been so
long recognized by all intelligent people,
and so long passed over in silence by OPP
ponents who cared more for decOrum than for
victory. But now that the time has come
when all the powers of the Government are
to be put in operation to compel the reelec-
ton of this conspicuous failure, and the per-
petuation of this discredtable exploitation oil
the Executive Office, it is the duty of every
man who disapproves of such use OF the
Presidency to speak plainly and promptly the
truth that most men feel-that Gen. Grant Is
not fit person to be President.
Mr.. Sumner looks to Philadelphia for some
means of rescue from the fate which impends
over that great historical party which saved
the Union and established freedom in it. He
was one of its founders; he is unwilling to
leave it while there is any hope of it, He
SAYS. "NOt without regret can | see it suffer;
"not without pang can | see it changed
"from its original character, for such change
SIS DEATH Therefore do | ask, with no COM
"mon feeling that the peril which mcnaces it
"pass away. l stood by its cradle; let
enc not follow its hearse." He therefore
earnestly calls upon the Republican Con-
venton to save the party from the
ignominiOus fate of absorption by
one man. Senator Sumner is not alone in this
noble reluctance to part with the cherished as
soclatiOns of many glorious years. We wish
we could have shared the hope he has not yet
given up. We would have gladly looked to
Philadelphia for such action as should satisfy
the highest aspirations of pure and intelligent
men. Even yet it might be in the power OF
the Philadelphia Convention so to shape this
canvass that we may give to the
world the inspiring spectacle of viz
tually unanimous and harmonious election,
which should mean Reform, the Resto-
ration of the Reign of Law, Equal Rights
to all Citizens, and the End of the lingering
War. But the Philadelphia Convention is the
property of Gen. Grant, and any one who
reads this speech can say what Gen. Grant
will do with it. If Mr.. Sumner, and the other
honorable and patriotic men who share his
views, are waiting only until this Convention
shall show them how completely the organiza-
ton of the Republican party has been absorbed
by its autocrat, they have not long to wait.