New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-30
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The Louisville e0urser-J 0stT7ad Is cor
rect whenA says the Greeleys, Summers,
Trumbulls, Palmers, Browns, Schurzes,
and, it might have added, the Logans, the
the Warmoths, and host of others, who
formed the Republican party and fought
its battles, and led it to its victories, have
not declared war against Republicanism,
but against Grantism. ~
This is che whole trutAfin q nutshell.
The Republican leaders, for the sake Of
genuine Republicanism, and moved by a
spirit Of patriotism. have declared against
the dangerous tendencies Of Grantism,
which embraces nepotism in its rankest
form, sectism, bribery, bayonet rule, dis.
franchisement, spoliation of the public
revenues and their Misrepresentation, and
a long list of other abuses that, if allowed
to continue and grow, will certainly under
mine our republican institutions and place
the American people under the control
Of a centralized military government.
The issue, therefore, is Grantism--
or imperialism, if Grant is strong
enough to have his way-versus repub-
icanism. But Grant is not strong enough
to have his way-not strong enough to
build up dynasty in the interest OF his
family, though he has been permitted to
abuse the power temporarily placed in his
hands by free people. It is this abuse
of power that has aroused the good men
of the country and stirred up the people.
They are not satisfied that President
should freely distribute the Offices of profit
and honor belonging TO the people among
his own relatives, thus building them up
at the public expense, while more deserv-
ing sons of the republic-men who have
been foremost in battling for Republican
principles-receive the cold shoulder and
are wantonly thrust aside. This is GER
tsinly very serious count in the indict-
ment against the President, but there
are others perhaps still more Sc
rions. He is justly charged with dis
position to make the government par
take more of the military than civil
In other words, he is dis
posed to render the civil subordinate to
the military authority. This is judged to
be the tendency of his administration,
and the people are rapidly concluding it
IS unsafe to foster and encourage any
such tendencies by re-electing President |
Grant. The President has not been in
,lined to correct these tendencies when |
he people have had occasion to remind
him of military usurpations that have
been perpetrated in their midst at the ex-
oense Of their civil rights. Governors Of |
rec States have been compelled to pro-
est against fragrant encroachments of the
ederal military power in their respective |
States. Governor Palmer, of Illinois, and |
Governor Warmoth, Of Louisiana, have
10Th had occasion to do this, and have
allied to arouse in the President
ny disposition to correct the grow
ng evil complained Of He evidently
oes not regard these military
surpations and encroachments upon
tate rights an evil, or he certainly would
ave been disposed to check them. He
as evidently been led into erroneous con-
lusions by his election to the Presi-
ency at time when he was at the head
s orr or,,o;ac ~ o1,a he Sc ;,,oI;ra5 &o ho |
military usurper. Possibly he may think
be people intended to establish military
government when they elected their chief
General for President. If so, he is some
that excusable for his ignorance Of the
cal intentions Of the people His con-
uct in selecting men belonging to the
ocular army for civil service must also
clip lead to the impression that he sup
osed himself licensed to nakes this by
egrees military government. If the
eople do not take this as the theory Of
is conduct. they must come to the conclu-
on, he has knowingly and willfully per-
erted the principles OF the government
henever he has permitted the civil to be-
ome subordinate to the military branch of
le same; and it matters little which con-
usion they arrive at, as there will be an
Iual necessity for voting Mr.. Grant out
the White House. If he has really been
istaken as to the designs Of the people
making him President, the only eff
ctual way to convince him Of his mis-
Ike is to refuse, upon that very ground,
re-elect him, and certainly q much
ronger reason exists for getting rid of 6
m if he is disposed to allow the civil to
come subordinate to the military arm of
e government.
-Four years ago a united Republican
rty, imposing implicit confidence in i.
e patriotism and unselfsh devotion of
.neral Grant to the best interests of the =
untry and the people, took him from
e army and made him President. He
IS man apparently without an unwor-
Y ambition, and expressed himself in
'or of the one term principle. A few !,
ars in Office and his disposition under y
es change. He becomes ambitious, '
d in his anxiety to retain power for the q
nefit Of himself and family, does not !. =
state to use it for securing his renomi- u
ton and second election to the Presi-
ncy-the very power delegated to him by .
e people to be used alone for their benefit. 1
Grantism has become to be far greater
tue with the President than republican q