The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-18

ness of purpose and firmness of the successful
military chief would guide the inexperienced
civil leader to an unexpected success in his
new career. We looked to see Cuba free or
under the protection of the American flag
before another Presidential election should roll
round to find peace and order established on
our border and Mexico shielded by the strong
arm of an American protectorate to behold
England anxious to make amends for her un-
friendly action during the rebellion and care
full to restrain her arrogant spirit before our
soldier President We anticipated that
the Southern States would be treated
with soldierly generosity that would speedily
restore happiness and prosperity to their
gallant people, and bring them into the poll
teal contest of 1872 as peaceful loyal and
united as any Northern States in the Union.
We thought that the American name would win
additional lustre abroad, and that at home the
government would be administered with a
simple honesty and an efficiency new to the
politicians, but the natural fruit Of q thorough
military education. We cannot refrain from
contrasting these rose-colored anticipations
with tho reality We cannot close our eyes to
our humiliation at Geneva, to the unpopularity
of our Cuban policy, to the miserable condi-
ton into which the South has been plunged
through the cruel intrigues of political adven-
turers, to the general decentralization of the
civil service. The fact that General Grant has
not successfully resisted the bad counsel Of
the politicians Of the radical school is unde-
niable, and the only recompense he can now
mako to the country is through an entire
change in his Cabinet, and the nstalment in
power of men of greater ability and more
honesty of purpose.
The President will probably be told that
these concessions to the popular will can better
be made after the election than during the call
vass; but will it be safe to delay what the peo-
pie demand as an immediate reform? The ex-
traordinary efforts now being made to keep
North Carolina in line will best answer this
question. The people are still willing to trust
the General who saved the Union eight years
ago. but they will insist that they shall not be
called upon to trust the incompetent and dis
honest politicians who surround him, and who
have managed thus far to bend him to their
views Let Grant place himself once more be-
fore the people on his own merits, as he stood
before them four years ago. and they will honor
him now as they did then. But if be insists
upon remaining surrounded by Cabinet min
listers of proved incompetency or mediocre
ability; by foreign representatives of the cali
bre of ward politicians; by corrupt Office
holders and INSCRIPTIONS partisans, there is
danger that his own good qualities will be
hidden from view. The people know that
the men who have been powerful at Washing
ton for the past three years will not be likely
to loosen their hold upon the administration
should they succeed in securing another term
of Office; and hence they will insist that these
men shall be turned adrift at once. General
Grant should pay no heed, then, to the advice
Of the interested sycophants by whom he is
surrounded. He knows the advice Of the
support has been independent and unsolicited;
and we now tell him that an immediate
change in his advisers, reorganization of his
Cabinet that shall insure q generous and just
policy towards the Southern States and more
dignifed and American attitude towards for
eign nations, can alone avert the imminent
danger of defeat in the approaching election.
President Grant holds the result in his own
hands, but to render it certain he must rid
himself at once of the narrow-minded politi-
clans and dangerous adventures who are
doing their best to destroy his chances Of
success.