Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-04-25

of Gen. Grant is evidently based upon the as.
sumption tina, the movement Of 1870 was hos
tile to the President. This is not so. The
fact that the Parliamentary we thing.
advised his friends to support McClurg against
Brown did cause temporary feeling OF nos
| tility toward him; but the reasons when the
President gave for this advice, viz thar the
Liberal movement was scheme TO manu- 'ne
State over to the democrats, time has Demon
| stated to have been eminently sound ana truth
fully prophetic. 1t is our candid opinion ina,
Gen. Grant will command large. Liberal
Republican vote than any other candidate ~ho
can be named and we will give our reasons
for this belief before we close.
- The proposition that Missouri republicans
have much to complain OF, and are hostile to
the President because certain men hold the OIL
ces. could have been made by no one thorough
" acquainted with the stuff Of which the re-
publicans of this State are made. The bolt
of 1870 had nothing to do with Gen. Grants
patronage. That division is healed. he
true men Of this State, since 1861, have
fought under the banner of republicanism
They are members Of the republican party,
for that organization was the only one which
aided them in their contests with ~ invaders
of the Southern Confederacy. For four years
Missouri was battle ground on which some
OF the most sanguinary contests Of the re-
bellion were fought, and Gen. Grant led the
hosts which rallied under the banner of free.
dom. Missourians have not forgotten that
and 1t will take something more potent than
few crumbs Of paltry patronage to drive them
to the ranks of those who fought him and
them in life-and-death encounter. The
masses Of Missouri republicans never give
the subject Of patronage passing thought,
and to place their republic0ism on this low
ground is doing them base injustice. The re-
publicans of Missouri are intelligent, pro-
gressive, and fully posted in the current poll.
tics of the day. They read the newspapers.
They have watched the course Of Gen. Grant
critically. Certain great facts stand out so
prominently in his administration that they
compel the admiration Of the most hypercriti-
cal. Republicans of Missouri feel that Gen.
Grant was tried in the fires of the rebellion,
and came sut a victorious patriot, an honest
man. Thee years Of trial in the White House
have given us assured security at home and in
creased power among foreign nations. Firm.
~, silently and with dignity, he has enforced
the laws and protected local citizens in every
portion Of the republic. Important treaties
have been made by which we are to receive
justice from the great powers Of the old world
The people know that the President will en-
force those treaties. While taxation has
steadily decreased, three hundred millions OF
debt have been paid. The percentage of cor
ruption in Gen. Grants Administration is not
as great as that in any of his predecessors.
and defaulters are vigorously dealt with. The
national credit has gradually grown strong,
and the country has continually prospered.
For these reasons the Republicans of Mis-
souri, stand BY the Administration of General
Grant. Six Presidents have been renomina-
ne bad br;
ord as this. And yet, there are men who
would have the world believe that the repub-
licans of Missouri will abandon this grand re-
publican party, desert the colors under which
they have rallied to SO many fierce struggles,
and 60 over to the enemy, because-beause,
forsooth, few paltry offices in ST. Louis are
held by true and tried friends Of Gen. Grant,
who do not happen to be versed in the tricke
ry and chicanery of ward caucus!
This county, Buchanan, gare B. Gratz
Byown 1858 majority, but to-day almost e.
cry Liberal Republican in 1t is pleged to sup
port the nominee of the Philadelphia Conren-
tion. At our last County Convention, speech
es were made by Messrs. Wilkinson, Chan
dler and others. and every allusion to the fact
that the party was once more unit and for
Gen. Grant, elected perfect whirlwind Of
applause. That is the feeling pervading the
republican masses of Missouri.
The Missouri republicans do not enter the
contest of 1872 with the same feelings that
inspire their brethren of Kansas and Iowa.
We 60 into that contest with none of the
pomp and circumstance of mere parade.
Before us lie sturdy contest, a severe strug-
gle and doubtful field. We 60 to fight; We
are determined to win the victory. We have
the same enemy to confront which we have
encountered on many occasions. We have
fought him in the BRUSH in the prairie, and
from house to house. We have worsted him
in every engagement, and we shall again con-
quer. If our leader is to carry the standard,
the old hosts will rally with their old enthu-
siasm."