The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-07-25
Thursday, .------ Jmly 25. 1872
AEgEgDY JOHNSON ON THE SITUATION.

Thursday. Jssly 25. 1872
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AEyERDY JOHNSON ON THE SITUATION.
Hon. Revcrdy johnson has written a letter
to Hon. James Brooks of New York, en- the
political situation, in which he arraigns Pre-
sidant Grant upon ten counts
First, the appoiatmcut'of his cabinet with
oat reference to the qualifications of the men
he selected for the positions to which they
we're invited.
Second, his selection Of his relatives for
important Offices, regardless of their fitness
therefor.
10 Third, his negotiation for the annexation
of the Dominican Republic, though there was
no minister selected with the approval of
the senator, and his pndignifed lobbying
with senators to procure its ratification.
Fourth, his :sopen and shameless use of his
personal administration and to secure re-
election"
Fifth, his compelling secretary Cox to re-
sign his position as secretary of the Interior,
because he would not eountenance the assess
anent Of the salaries Of the clerks an his de-
partment for political purposes
Sixth, his virtually ordering the members
of his cabinet and bureau officers to canvass
States where elections we're pending, in his
behalf.
Seventh, in not only not disappearing of
the acts of Cong ress known as the enforce
ment acts 1901 but in recklessly 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 misa:anagemeut Of our for
eign relations.
Tenth, by his extending the powers of the
general government beyond those delegated,
in direct antagonism to rights and powers
not only inherent in the states, but express
9y reserved to them by the constitution it.
self. ~ g yn1# ~
He then compares the character and states
manship of President Grant and Mr.. Greeley,
concluding that Grant has demonstrated his
utter unfitness for the duties Of Presiden Mt,
by reason Of his want Of craftsmanship, and
awarding Greeley place among the ablest
men Of the age. 'e-3
lie closes as follows :,
You will have thus seen what I think of
the present political condition Of our country.
Unless am greatly mistaken, it must give
to every unprejudiced, intelligent and patri-
otto man much anxiety and alarm. How is
this anxiety and alarm to be removed By
removing the cause of it. By refusing re-
election to Gen. Grant to whom in great
measure, it is owing, and by placing in the
Presidential Office Mr.. Greeley, whose entire
life has exhibited his generous qualities, his
great ability, his pure patriotism, and his un,
suspected integrity. To be rich he will ac-
scept 20 presants, but would scornfully reject
them if offered. lie has not scores of rela-
tivcs to provide for out of the public funds
by placing them in Offices for which they are
grossly incompetent, and il he had, he would
not SO place them He will not exert his
patronage to influence State elections, OR to
secure reelection for himself. He will not
permit the public funds, by means of a tax
upon the salaries of his officials, to be used
for party purposes He will not suffer his
secretaries or their surbordinates to abandon
their posts of duty and their attention to the
public business, to traverse State after State
on eectioncerng visits; so as to bring the
Influence of Office in conflict with freedom Of
elections He willssee that our foreign rela-
lions are SO managed as to give honor and
mot disgrace to the nation He will not toll
crate the use Of the military for the control
of the elective Franchise. He will not tram.
pie upon the rights of the States or the PEG
pie, declaring States 10 be in rebellion when
they are not. And my hope is to live to see
the day when these vital changes will be
made when all solicitude about the fate Of
our country will be quieted When peace
and prosperity will be secured to the entire ma
ton whcnthe guaranteed rights ofthe citizen
vii! be protected, the legitimate powers
the States maintained, and the authority 0
the General Government exerted only unde
the restrictions of the Constitution La
word, when the constitut bequeathed to u
by our fathers shaIl~in all things be observe
and when we shall have president intelli
gent and patriotic enough to Keep his ofhcia
oath to ''preserve, protect and defend it,
When all these things shall occur, and nc
until then, will our prosperity and power b
renewed and our country become, as it We
in former days, the wonder and admlratlo
of the world. I remain with great regare
your friend and obedient servrnt,
81 al -sF REvERDY JOHNSON.
TO the Hon. james BROOKS, New York.