The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-07-26

BY J. A. SELBY.
with executive influence in controlling
States for themselves, and they giving
their aid in controlling the party for
him. One hand washed the other. This
was gradually brought into system, all
cooperation being welcome; even snoh
as that OF Clayton, in Arkansas. Then
that peculiar party despotism grew up
which ostracised everybody who refused
to obey it's commands. It gave birth to
new sort of party orthodoxy, whose
first tenet was that President G rant must
be reelected. Opposition to Grant con-
stltuted high treason against party, for
which there was no quarter" The Sena-
tor dwelt on this theme at great length,
using the strongest and severest Ian
guage that has yet been aimed at the
President and his supporters.
After referring to the Presidents nepo.
tism, his appointment Of Tom Murphy,
bis fondness for personal pleasure, and
that he had actually seen foreign Mini.
sters in the capital Of the nation, looking
for the Government of the United
States, the Senator added: 81 will not
wrong President Grant. He is by no
means monster of iniquity. He is
simply man who makes use OF his
high official position to suit his own con-
venience, regardlesssof other interests.
He does not sit in his closet designing
usurper. gloomily pondering how he
may subvert the free institutions of the
republic; neither does he ponder how he
may preserve them. He does not pom
der as ali. H5 simply wants to carry a
point; when, and as in the San Domingo
case, tho Constitution happens to stand
in his way, he just walks over it. edoes
not mean to break down the authority OF
the laws; he aimply wants them not to
hamper him in his doings. He does not
mean systematically to outrage the pub
lie sense Of decency by nepotism and
low associations, to corrupt tho service
and degrade our political life; he only
wants to make his relations and fnvorites
comfortable, to associate with men who
are congenial to him, and to take the
best care of his interest he can. He is
not incap ible of occasionally doing good
things. He prefers good appointments
to bad ones, other things being equal.
He undoubtedly desires that affairs
should go we'll, his own welfare included.
Such is the character of his personal 90.
vernment. He should be doing it too
much honor by calling it Cmsarism. It
is not inspired by any grand, lofty and
long-headed ambition. It is absolutely
barren of ideas and originality, bare OF
striking achievements, void of noble
sentiments and inspiring example. 1t is
eimply dull, heavy, stupid and stubborn
in it's sel6shness.
After pursuing this subject still fur
ther, and with some bitterness, the Sena.
tor spoke of the apathy which naturally
follows q period Of great excitement,
and declared that the Cincinnati Oonven-
tion was the result of popular uprising.
from such apathy; that it assumed d.
mensions far beyord any expectations OF
lts orlginators, embraced multitudes who
were impelled by one impulse to unite
the whole American people in the bonds
OF reconciliation and fraternal feeling,
and to shake off personal government
and party despotism. acknowledging
that its action had caused disappointment
to himself aud others, who wished its
declarations Of policy as we'll as it's can
didates to be such that the victory of the
movement would furnish an administra.
tlon approaching the ideal of good 60
vernment as near as human wisdom, in
tegrity and earnest efforts could carry it.
He declared he had come deliberately
to the conclusion that no possibility ex-
listed to unite more fully all the sources
which the movement gathered under its
banners, and argued that the overthrow
OF party despotism is the first thing
needful to any reform. Greeley would
have at his back no regular organization,
and could win support and favor of the
people only by deserving it.
Tariff reformers should learn from the
enemies of theirs, who instinctively find
the surest and most natural bulwark in a
party which is controlled by organized
seltishness.
Mr.. Sohurz then caused to be read cor
respondence with Mr.. Greeley in refer
ence TO civil service reform.
Grants Own" thinks that that emf.
nent nepotentate will be remembered by
posterity long after his opponents shall
have sunk into oblivion. We doubt,
however, if others Can be expected to re-
member one who 40 often forgets him.