Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-07-02
What the Reelection Of Grant Means.
Carl Schurz in the Westliche Post.

A few of our Liberal friends are not satisfied
with Greeley's nomination. We suspect the
reasons and motives of their discomfort are bas-
ed on the opinion that the Cincinnati Conven-
ton did not do the very best it could. Grant
ed that it could have made a nomination more
consistent with the spirit of the movement, and
could have given the reform measures satisfac-
tory guarantees Granted that many objections
may be urged against the Cincinnati nominees
which shake the faith of the conscientious re-
former.
But we now ask the honest, conscientious re-
former to glance at the other side of the picture.
There is Grant IN the full spendor of his re-
nomination, and behind him stand the bread
and butter brigade In full force with SANITY
submissiveness and Unsuitable appetite. Grant
has promised to US in his letter of acceptance
to continue the business of the Government
with the same zeal and in the same manner as
formerly, and the bread and butter brigade re-
sponded with enthusiastic applause. We now
beg the conscientious reformer to consider what
the reelection of Grant and the continuance of
the present policy mean. They mean the ap-
plication of more oppressive military rule in
the South, and not the policy of reconciliation
They mean the continued support Of the shame :.
less carpet-bag government In the formerly re-
bellious States.
They mean continued cherishing Of hat red
and animosity between the North and South.
They mean acts of nepotism and favor. tism
which will operate with still more INN ,oral
iohuence upon the public SERVICE if the pa opIe.
by the reelection of Grant, shows that these
are matters of no concern to them.
They mtan new bloom aud crop of co rrup-
tion not alone in the custom-h houses of New
York and New Orleans, but in the whole coun-
try.
They mean the resumption and then the car
ryng through of the San Domingo speculation,
which Grant relinquished because he feared that
it would damage his chances for re-eleckic n.
They mean continuance Of the oUtlandish
foreign policy which mas almost succeeded in
making the name of the American Republic a
by word and reproach abroad, and has brought
the danger Of trouble with foreigns powers.
They mean further despotic interference of
the President in the political affairs OF the
States, packing party conventions and the
bribery of the delegates with Government pat
ronage.
They mean greater audaeity than ever OF
military rings which have surrounded the
President, and have enabled him to use the
substance for his own benefit.
They mean that the people voice shall sane
ton and whitewash the President assumption
of powers.
They mean the continued bondage of the of
| fce- holders, who even now do rot dare to speak
| for fear OF losing their bread and butter
They mean the complete serviiity of Congress
TO the President, the approval Of all unlawful
acts, Inc whitewashing of all corruption, and
an unscrupulous and demoraizing party des-
potism, such as We have never yet seen, and
We have already seen much more than we are
able to bear
The resolution Of Grant means all this, and
indeed, IN increased measure, for through the
bare fact of this reelection the fear of displeas-
ing the people will prevail, and loose rein will
De given to the arbitrary rule OF the White
| House
All these things will as certainly follow the
reelection of Grant as thunder follows light
ming.
These are things which the true reformer
should not lose sight of for moment. While
we sympathize with his dissatisfaction with the
Cincinnati nominations, and his desire to cor
rect the error In the best possible manner, yet
his dissatisfaction and this wish should be kept
within due bounds; and we find these limits to
be anything but the reelection of Grant In
the name of the common welfare, the honor and
the freedom Of the American people, anybody
before Grant.