Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-08-17


Hon. Reyerdy Johnson has written letter
to Hon James Brooks Of New York, on the
political situation, in which he arraigns PreSi
dent Grant upon ten counts:
First, the appointment of bis cabinet without
reference to qualifications of the men he select
ed and the positions to which they were in
vited
Second, bis selection Of his relatives for i'm
portant Offices, regardless Of their fitness there
for.
Third, his negotiation for the annexation of
the Dominican Republic, though there was no
minister selected with the approval Of the SEN
ator to procure its ratification.
Fourth, his "open and shameless use ef his
personal administration 10 secure a reelection"
Fifth, his compelling secretary Cox to resign
his position of secretary of the Interior be-
cause he would not ccuntenance the assessment
of the salaries Of the clerks in his department
| for political purposes.
Sixth, bis virtually ordering members of bis
cabinet and bureau officers TO canvass States
where elections were pending, in his behalf
Seventh, not only not Gisapproving Of the
acts of Congress known as the enforcement acts
1901 but in recklossly carrying them out
by means Of the military.
Eighth by his utter disregard Of the rights
of the States and Of the people
Ninth, in his niismanagcment Of our foreign
relations.
Tenth, by his extending Che powers Of the
general government beyond those delegated, in
direct autagouism to rights not only inherent
in tie states, but expressly reserved to them by
the constitution itself .t.
lie then compares the character and states
mauship Of President Grant and Mr.. Greeley
concluding that Grant has demonstrated bis
utter uuftuess fer the duties of President, by
reason of his want Of craftsmanship, aud
awarding Greeley place among the ablest men
of the age.
He closes as follows:
You will have thus seen what think Of the
present political condition OF tie country
Unless am greatly mist aiken, it must give to
every unprecedented, intelligent aud patriotic
mind much anxiety and alarm. How is this
anxiety and alarm to be removed BY re-
moving the cause of it. BY refusing re-
election to Gen Grant to whom in great mea-
sure, it is owing, and by placing in the Presi
dental Office Mr.. Greeley, whose entire life has
exhibited bis generous qualities, his great abili
ty, his pure patriotism, and his uusuSpected
integrity. To be rich he will accept no pres
euts, but would scorHlully reject them if Of
fered He has not scores Of relatives to pro-
vide for out Of the public funds, by placing
them in Offices for which they are grossly in-
competent, and if he had, he would not so
place them. He will not exert bis patronage
to influence State elections, or to secure a re-
election for himself. He will not permit the
public funds, by means Of a tax upon the sala
ries of his officials, to be used for party pur-
poses. He will not suffer his secretaries or
their subordinates TO abandon their posts of
duty and their attention to public business, to
traverse State after State on electioneering Wis
its so as to bring the influence Of Office in
conflict with freedom Of elections. He will see
that our foreign relations are so managed as to
give honor and not disgrace to the nation. He
will not tolerate toe use of the military for the
control OF the elective franchise. He will not
trample upon the rights Of the States or the
people, declaring States in rebellion when they
are not And my hope is to live TO see the
day when these vital changes viii be made
when all solictude about the fate Of the cOun-
try will be quieted when peace and prosperi-
ty will &c secured to the entire nation when
the guaranteed rights Of the citizen will be pro-
tected, the legitimate powers of the State main
taiued, and the authority Of the General Go
vernmeut exerted only under the restrictions
Of the Constitution In a word, when the con-
stitution bequeathed to Us by our fathers shall
in all things be observed and when we shall
bave a president intelligent and patriotic
enough to keep his official oath to preserve,
protect and defend it.
When all these things shall occur, and not
until then. will our prosperity and power be
renewed and our country become as it was in
former days, the wonder and admiration of the
world. l remain, with great regard, your
obedient servant.
REvERDY JOHNSON.
70 the Hon. James Brooks, NeW York.