The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-20

The Dangers OF the. Republican Party
What tho Country Expects.
Those who have watched the course OF Presi-
dent Grant regard him as patient and much
enduring man. The important despatch from
go far towards confirming this impression.
The views therein expressed by the President
strengthen the statements we printed the other
day as to his attitude in this whole Custom
House business, bis resolution to forward the
investigation in every way in his
power and to deal promptly and
sternly with every one who has brought the
least scandal upon his administration. OF
course our former despatch to this effect has
been angrily denied by those organs, who
think that in echoing the gossip from the
Presidents kitchen they speak for the Presi-
dent officially. Now, we have no quarrel with
the members of the Presidents official family,
nor would we throw a single unklnd thought
into his Servants Hall. We feel that the
President should have justice, and we believe
that the more thoroughly he is investigated,
the more rigidly his whole life is examined,
the more triumphant will be his vindication;
that he will come from every ordeal I'M
scathed-stiIl retaining the splendor of Donel-
son and Vicksburg-and that a grateful and
generous people will re-elect him President of
the United States.
Thus far his enemies have failed in every at
tempt to destroy his character. He will fight
it out on the line he occupies if 1t takes all
summer-and it probably will take all summer
and goodly share of the autumn. He has
made singularly honest and able administra-
ton. AS the elected chief of the republican
party he has kept every pledge made by his
friends with Roman sincerity and firmness.
The most radical republican cannot quarrel
with General Grant Those who were impa-
tient with Mr.. Lincoln even-such men, let us
say, as Wendell Phillips and Benjamin F.
Butler!-are fully satisfied with Grant. The
assaults made upon him are only evidences Of
his strength with the people. His enemies have
no charges against him but corner grocery and
barroom scandal. He takes presents, it is
said; but no one has heard Of a present &C.
cepted by him since he entered the White
House. As successful General, some of our
citizens gave him such token of their esteem
and gratitude as was given to Marlborough
and Wellington when they returned from sue
cessful wars such token as was given to
General Mcclellan, who, when he came
to live among us, was presented with
house In New York by several
leading democrats. He has appointed a
few relatives to unimportant Offices; but we
shall not feel very indignant over this, espe-
cially when we remember that not long since
Mr.. Gladstone said in the House of Commons
that one reason why en- English statesman
could afford to hold the exacting Office of
Prime Minister was that he had an opportu-
nifty Of doing for bis family and friends what
other eminent and able men did in private
pursuits. Certainly Mr. Gladstone's opinion
will 90 far with the most fastidious critics
among our Journalists and statesmen. Beyond
this petty tavern gossip nothing is said; and
this paucity and monotony of assault form the
Presidents best vindication.
On the other hand, 10 every respect Grant
has met the highest expectations of the
country. He has, as we have said, kept
every pledge made as republican to the
party which nominated him. He has made
an honest, patient, resolute endeavor to
reduce the debt, and although we have not,
in all ways, commended Mr.. Boutwell's
methods of managing the Treasury, we
recognize that the administration has meant
to fund the debt, reduce the interest and
release the people from the burdens of taxa
ton. Without absolving the Secretary from
any of our criticisms, we pass this to the
credit of the administration. In the question
Of our relations with England we have seen
the President grapple with the gravest
problem in our diplomacy and settle it,
and in that alone win for himself an enduring
fame. In dealing with Spain there has been a
patience, candor, q single-mindednes of
purpose which, although at times vexatious to
an impatient and impulsive public opinion, has
kept the peace and not permitted us to drift
into fretful and useless war. In the Indian
question he has shown humanity and breadth
Of purpose wonderfully at variance with the
savage and blind traditions Of former
administrations. Every Christian heart in
America must throb kindly towards President
Grant for his humanity and good temper
in dealing with the hayward children of the
forest. In the Mormon question he has trampled
upon an evil as gigantic as that of slavery
upon polygamy-which, as the remaining
'twin relic of barbarism," has been scandal
to our age. And so in every instance of admin
istrative policy! At home and abroad he has
preserved the honor Of the flag and the
purity Of administration. Crime and NAL
feasance in Office have been severely punished !;