The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-06-01
NOT GRANT But THE PARTY.
From the Albany EpeNinq Journal. !

L ~-'NNN''J
There ought to be an end by this time of
the misapprehension that the boiling move
ment is prompted merely by dissatisfaction
with President Grant, and that it could
have been averted had the majority of the
Republicans been willing to take another
candidate. What inspired it was DELHI
crate, long cherish, malignant purpose to
destroy if possible, the Republican party.
Its source lies in enmity not simply to Gen
eral Grant but to the great organization
behind him. 1t would have been devel-
oped Just the same had another than Grant
been President and another than Grant
been proposed for the next term.
We do not mean to say that all who have
embarked in this movement were originally
animated by this motive. 1t has enlisted
a class of politicians who were undoubted-
ly actuatcd by mere personal grievances,
and who, could they have secured what
they wanted under Grant, would have re-
manned his most devoted adherents. They
have not even that small virtue which
would break down party from any high
Ell inspiration than mere personal revenge.
AS they were in the party form person.
al ends, SO they go out OF it for personal
reasons. AS they followed it for personal
profit, so they would still have shouted for
Grant, if personal advantage had dictated.
it. The movement has doubtless derived
some strength from those who were simply
dissatisfied with Grant.
But it sprang from deeper cause and
has q deeper purpose. 1t aims at nothing
less than the destruction of the Republican
party. Even Mr.. Greeley himself declares
that the withdrawal of President Grant, the
substitution of the most blaneless states
man in public life could not effect the deter
mination of the Cincinnati party. Yield
everything they have asked, assure all that
they have professed to desire, and still they
would fight. 1t was in this spirit Of i'm
placable warfare upon the Republican par
ty that the movement began. 1t origina-
ted in Missouri among a set of intriguers
and demagogues who struck at the organi-
cation before a syllable of complaint had
been made in any quarter against General
Grant, who engineered the Missouri coali
tion with the Blairs two years ago, and
who have deliberately designed and labor
ed ever since to extend the same tactics
into the national campaign. With these
men Grant is mere pretext-the real OBJ
iect of their assault is the Republican
party.
Take tho Chicago Tribune, which is
leading force in the movement. The de-
sign Of that paper has been apparent for
many months. Nearly two years ago it
made formal declaration in favor of
third party which should break down the
Republican organization. There was then
no special ground for dissatisfaction with
President Grant. The complaints which
have been vociferated so loudly Of late were
not heard. The proposition was not in
spired by anything in the course of the
President, but by the fact that the Chicago
Tribune found ITSELF with it's free trade
notions, more in harmony with the Demo-
cratic than with the Republican party, and
desired new organization as bridge to
carry it from the latter to the former. The
suggestion met with little or no response
them but the Tribune has carefully nursed
it till now, and, in supporting Mr. Greeley,
is simply carrying out the purpose it then
disclosed. Nothing else could induce or
explain its adherence to Mr.. Greeley
They have nothing in common. They are
Numerically opposed on every living ques-
ton. As :. simple question between Grant
and Greeley, the Chicago Tribune could
not prefer the latter. But it conceives
that the election of Mr.. Greeley would
break down the Republican party, and so
accomplish its original purpose, and on
that ground it supports him.
We might cite other evidence to tine same
effect, but it is needless. Whatever the
original design, there is now no disguise on
the part of any one that the movement is
aimed at the life of the Republican party.
Those who sympathiZe with that purpose,
who want to see the great party of freedom
and the Union broken down, who are will
ing the Government should be put into the
hands of those who sought to destroy it
all such will naturally join the Greeley
band. But those who believe that the
ascendancy of the Republican party is yet
vital to the welfare of the country will
recnil from that fatal nlunyn