Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-03-14

dangerous presumption of old acquain-
lance, and has forced respect from all
classes, high and low, friends and enc
mics.
4 further evidence of his apprecia-
tion of the people, which after all is
the essence of statecraft, is to be found
IN his course of action IN reference to
the attacks of the democrats. The lat
ter find some assailable point in the
conduct of the republican party; they
address their batteries to 1t, and make
capital against the administration
they excite public feeling and get the
sentiment of the nation with them :,
their chances Of turning the tide of
public favor improve they become
jubilant and see brighterhope of win
ming the next fight and recovering their
long lost power; thrill of Joy
passes through the entire party, and
their old energy begins to revive.
Suddenly the President, who has been
a silent looker-on all this while, COM
hitting himself neither to one side or
the other, studying however, most care
fully the course Of events, reaches forth
his hand that covers particulars point
and takes to himself all the political
capital the democrats have been so iu-
dustriously making. This has happen,
ed over and over again. But take one
of the most notorious instances-the
evil service bill. On this point he
seemed committed and especially vul-
nerable; he had appointed relatives In
Vulnerable to office; his hopes of re-
nomination largely hinged upon his
power to control the Office holders his
nemies appeared to have him at disad-
vantage; they were pressing the case
against him vigorously, although per
manency in Office was never a doctrine
Of the democrats, who, II the other
| hand, demand rotation. But what
does Grant do? Quietly and all by
himself, he adopts q system of civil
service reform which, while it satisfies
| the people and seems to comply with
heir wishes, virtually retains power in
he Presidents hands, precisely as 1t
/ always existed.
This is no isolated case. Dozens OF
such instances could be given, and to
day, if corruption is brought home tc
any department of the government, no
one will be more earnest in roofing il
out than the head of the nation, for he
appreciates fully that his re- election de.
ponds on this course. Such man is
no contemplate foe, above all when he
is in possession of unprecedented pow.
er. Still there is a possibility of de-
feating him there is some opposition
in his own party to him the feeling in
favor of a one-term rule is extending
his defenders are not as wise as him
self,a as their course on the Senate inves-
tigating committee proved, and there's
Il growing hope among democrats that
he will yet slip. These are dangerous
times the angel of destruction is
abroad, and the power which overthrew
Tammany hall in three months may yet
be directed against the administration.
Could corruption be brought home to
the government, it is gone, although
Grant has declared that if the charges
against the New York custom house are
proved he will himself interfere and
turn out all connected with it. But
that will not save him, as it will create
as many animosities as it cures and
the cry of venality being once started,
it will ring through the nation till il
| brings destruction on those toward
whom it is directed.