The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-30
Tho Presidential Canvass.

past week IN the interesting and impor-
tant development. wrangling and final
split made in the Radical Convention
here, that we have been detraoted, in q
great measure, from noting the progress
and prospect OF the Presidential race.
The party lines seem now to be pretty
we'll drawn and defined. and the real
stubborn work of the campaign has be.
gun. All the prominent men OF the
country whose accession or detection
would be worthy OF notice have declared
their choice either for Greeley or for
Grant. The case may be said to be fully
made up, and the contestants are now
turning, with earneatness and vigor, to
present the issue to tho decieion Of the
jury-the people Of this mighty republic.
With Greeley and Brown are found
Sumner, Trumbull, Sohurz, Julian.
Palmer, Chase, Banks. Farnsworth, and
many others of the Oldest, ablest and
most reputable of the Republican party
of the past. They are backed by vir-
tually the entire Democratic strength of
the country, and by large Republican
following. What strength the Liberal
Republicans may exhibit, it is impossible
to determine, with even measurable
degree Of accuracy, until some of the
Northern States shall have held their
local elections. The safest criterion
which We can at this time rely upon, as
indicative Of the probable strength of
the Liberal Republicans, is furnished us
in the evident uneasiness of the Grant
ties in regard to States which have here
tofore been overwhelmingly Republican.
There, for instance. is Maine, which
gave Grant, in 1868. a majority of
10000, and has always, of latter years.
been unmistakably Republican. Here
the Administration feels under the neces-
sity of putting forth every exertion, for
fear they may lose the State entirely. or
that their minority may be 80 largely re-
duced as to chill their prospects in other
more doubtful States. Even Massachu-
setts, which gave Grant majority of
over 10000 in 1853. is now cause Of
disquiet to the Administration. II there
be trouble in the camp in these two Ra-
dical strongholds, what may be expected
OF Connecticut, New Hampshire, Penn
sylvania, Indiana and California, which
could be scarcely counted upon with any
Confidence for Grant, even if there were
No Liberal Republicans in the field.
It is patent, even without considering
the many distinguished and influential
Republicans who have renounced allie
glance to him, that General Grant has
fallen immensely in popular estimation
since his frst candidature. In 1868, he
had no political record. He was the
great chieftain OF the Union armies
had appeared magnanimous in war, and
it was thought would prove just in peace.
But his administration has disappointed
the expectations OF every good citizen.
Instead OF reconciliation and friendship
between the sections, which is the prime
desire OF all patriots North and South,
the hatreds and beart-burnings OF the
war have been kept alive by the policy
OF hate and oppression pursued toward
the South.
Instead of good government and quiet
and prosperity being assured to the
South. the people find. in those very
States where the General Government
has been impeded in its work OF recon
struction, governments which stink in
the nostrils of all decent people, and
which are disgrace to the American re-
public.
The foreign policy of the Government
has also brought shame and humiliation
upon our country.
It is with the burden of these and
other grave faults and misdeeds of his
Administration upon his shoulders, that
Grant presents himself second time
before the people for their suffrages.
And on this acoountit it is that he finds that
when in 1868 he carried everything before
him and cantered easily over the field,
now it is all uphill work, and he has to