The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-11-07
The Result--The Prospect.

The Result--The Prospect.
General GRANT Is reelected, as we have
anticipated he would he since the Pennsyl-
vania elections. He has carried the Union
by larger vote than we thought he would
get; but possibly that does no harm. The
completeness of the triumph may tend to
diminish, if not entirely erase from his mind,
fancied or other rcSentments that might ill.,
cite to unkind measures. Surely he has
enough to crafty his pride, and more than
enough to appease any sentiment of vindic-
,iveness that he may have harbored towards
communities.
We have long felt that the period had
arrived when, no matter how this election OF
Tuesday terminated, the sectional a!icna-
lions Of the war must come to an end. The
reelection of GRANT is not due altogether to
the rancors inspired by the war. The power
of the Government and the military fame of
General GRANT did it. Opposed to him was
q man who labored under hundred diSad-
yantages-the most serious ofall being that
he does not belong to the pattern of men
that is looked upon as suited to governing ma
tions. Such men are seldom, If ever, elevated
to eminent executive positions. They fail TO
impress the popular mind with sense of
their fitness. Mr.. GREELEY is indeed Won
derful man, and one of tile best Of men. He
is q patriot. He is exactly right upon the
questions of the pacification Of the country
,f
good and honest government. But he lacked
Just the personal qualities aud history that
were requisite to present him to the pnbc
mind as peculiarly suited TO the government
of great nation. This was a great diSad-
vantage. We recognized it from the begin
ming of the campaign; but he was the noni-
nee against GRANT, whose policy had been
so yiolent,--so distressing to the country
and we supported him with sincerity. We
did believe at first that Mr.. GREELEY would
be elected, but we have had not the slightest
hope for him since the Pennsylvania cleo
tons. 1t may be said that they showed fraud;
but they showed power-that power Of the
Government which the prophet of the nation,
PATRICK HENRY, said would become too great
for the people.
But though GREELEY is defeated the callSe
Of Liberalism Is not defeated, and il is great
satisfaction to feel that GRANTS election is
due, as we said above, to other causes than
those of sectionalism and the passions en-
gendered by the late war. The bloody clnsm
has been steadily closing even during the
campaign. Men hnye listened to the argu-
nents and sympathized with the sentiments
of the Liberalists who have voted for GRANT.
The seed sown will terminate and produce
u rich harvest. The next campaign for the
Presidency will be freed from the war feel
ing. Parties will be thoroughly interlaced,
binding all sections together, and men will
seek popularity by propitiating the popular
interests everywhere. GREELEY himself,
looking to the future, said that he might be
beaten, but that the cause of Liberalism
would ultimately triumph; and it will.
General GRANT is President for four years
more. He can hardly have any motive to op-
press any community, or to press measure
for mere partisan objects that is evidently
detrimental to the peace and contentment of
the people. He should naturally desire to
make his last four years years Of peace and
harmony, that he may win back the good
opinion that his first term has lost and retire
with the blessings of his countrymen. There
fore we look forward with hopeful eypecta-
tons. Whether General GRANT shall respect
the usages Of the nation, and retire ut the end
of his second term, or shall resolve to continue
President for an unlimited period, his mo-
tlves and his policy should be the same in
either case. He must cease to be sectional
In his administration. If he chooses to con-
tinue in Office longer than eight years we
suppose he will yacate the elections, and bv
an order from headquarters continue
himself in power. He will he no longer de-
pendent on issues sectional for power, and
will not be melted to sectional oppression.
Let us say, however, that we have no idea
that General GRANT will assume imperial
authority at the end of his second term. He
Is not the man for that. Nor do we believe
the country has reached the period in It's
history when the cone man can us,Irp the
: power to rule. Therefore we look for
. happy, contented, and, we hope, prolonged
period for the Republic. The corruptlons
which lave characterized the Government
for some time may continue for four years
in greater or less degree [let us hope that
they may be dimiDishedl; still VIC cannot
perceive the motives that can excite the
Federal Executive to further expressions