The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-10-08
Tho Elections .o-D.y-Their sigain

~A-Np HANAAoA@ hAa SAlO AOAA tAO1I OAOA-
NAL elections to-day. The eyes of the
entire country will be turned upon them
with anxious scrutiny. for with them.
doubtless, rests the issue of the Presi-
dental conflict The chief interest
centrea in Pennsylvania, partly on ao-
count Of the important local issues in
volved there, but chiefly because of the
deoieive influence which the fall State
elections in that great commonwealth
have exercised upon the Presidential
election in November. Gas Pennsylva-
mia, 30 goes the Union," has passed into
political proverb, and it will hold good
in this, perhaps, more than in any pre-
vious election. Ger. Grant was elected,
in 1868, by popular majority Of only
some 100000, out of vote of nearly
100000. In many of the States. the
vote was very close. California. out OF a
total vote Of nearly 125, 600, gave Grant
majority of only 5l4. Moreover, four
States Virginia. Texas, Florida and
Mississippi. all of which, with the ex-
oeption of Mississippi, which is regard
ed doubtful, are sure for Greeley
not allowed to vote in 1868. Grant can
NOT, tierefore, walk o7er tho COURSE in
any event.
The great importance of the elections
to-day consists in the manifestation
which they will give Of the Liberal Re-
publican strength. The Democrats are
solidly for Greeley as against Grant.
There is no longer reason to doubt that
the. full Democratic vote will be polled
for him. The only unknown quantity is
the Republican following which the
Liberal movement has attached to itself.
We think that it will be found to be even
larger than hopeful Liberals and Demo
Gratis generally anticipate. 1t seems
plain now, beyond denial. that all the
great leaders of the Republican party of
former years, the men who furnished it's
brains, character and legitimate life and
vigor. are now arrayed against Grant in
the persons of Greeley, Sumner, Trum-
bull, Curtin, Schurz, Farnsworth, Banks,
Brown, Palmer, Julian, and the dozens
OF other prominent and able men who
have hitherto been allied with Radical
ism and now support Greeley. Where.
among those who still cling to Grant and
Capitalization, can you find any to COM
pare with them on the sco:e of integrity,
ability or influence? The only thing, in
deed, which sustains Gen. Grant at all,
is his war record, and his being the ex-
ponent of Northern sectionalism. His
administration has most unquestionably
been failure in every respect in its
foreign relations, in it's economy, and.
most important of all, in the pacifoation
of the ooun try.
'Let Us have peace" was Grants ia
nous watch word, but we have had no
peace. It was noble sentiment, and
Its utterance struck responsive chord
in the hearts of the people. Gen. Grant,
too, We are charitable enough to pre-.
sume. really intended at the time to pur-
sue the peaceful and conoiliatory policy
indicated in his famous apothegm. But
he has failed. He had not the strength
OF purpose, or perhaps Of desire even,
to make an effort to win the confidence
OF the South to his administration. Ava
rice seems to be his ruling passion. The
pecuniary aggrandizement OF himself
and his numerous relations has appa-
rently commanded his chief attention
and been the object of his prime regard
since he was made President. In mat.
ters OF government, he has allowed him
self to be made the tool of the politi-
olans. Morton, the bitter partisan, has
been his chief adviser, and with others
OF his stripe. has dictated the cruel and
ruinous policy OF the General Govern
ment in the reconstruction of the South
ern States. For mere party purposes,
the fairost section OF the Union has been
turned over to the control of Ignorance
and vice combined, and their power sus-
tanned even with the bayonets of the
United States.
The re. election of General Grant ia an
endorsement Of the acts of his admins
tratiOn We cannch ha1iava that a 49,.