Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-06-22
Greeley VS.. Grant.

Occasionally we hear the remark-"Td as
leave vote for Grant as Greeley and this
too. in view Of tie platform and pledges of
each-OnO promising reform and return Of
the government 10 Constitutional obligations,
the other that ho will continue The admiuistra-
ton Of the government with the same zeal and
the same purposes and in the same way as in
the pasta very delightful prospect, in the
latter case. for the people Of our Southern
land. Carl S.hurz very pertinently through
his Hestlichs Post tells what those promises of
Grant to continue bis present policy mean
lie says:
They mean the application Of a more oppres-
si7o military rule IN the South, aud not the
policy Of reconciliation. They mean the con-
,inuel support Of the shameless carpet-bag
governments in the formerly rebellious States.
They mean a continued chcriShing of hatred
and luminosity between the North and South.
They mean acts Of uepoiism and favoyitism
which will operate with q still more immoral
influence upon the public service. If the people,
by the reelection u Grant, show that these
are matters Of no concern TO them.
They mean d new bloom and crop of corrup-
ton, not alone In The Custom Houses Of New
York and New Orleans, but in the whole eouu-
try,
They mean tue resumption and then the
carrying through Of the san Domingo specu-
lsticn, which Grant relnquished because he
feared that 4, would damage his chances for
reelection
They mean 4 continuance Of the outlandish
foreign policy which has almost succeeded in
making the name Of the American Republic
by word and reDroach abroad. and has brought
the danger Of trouble with foreign Powers
They mean further despotc interference Of
the President In tho political affairs Of the
States, packing party conventions, aud the
bribery Of the delegates with Government pa
,ronsge
They mean greater audacity than ever Of
military rings which have surrounded the
President aud have enabled him 10 use the
substance FOR bis own benefit
They mean that the peoples voice shall
sausaon aud wbItewasE the President assump-
ton Of power.
They mean ;io continued bondage Of the
GJrcrnmont Ctice-holGsrS, who even now do
not dare to speak for fear Of losing their bread
and butter
They mean 10 complete servility Of Congress
10 the President, the approval Of all unlawful
acts, the withdrawing Of all corruption. and
an Inscriptions aud dsmoraIizing party des-
nousm, such as we have uever yet seen. and
we have already seen much more than we gre
able % bear
The reelection OF Grant means all this. and
indeed, IN increased measure, for through the
bare fast Of this reelection the fear of displeas
ing the people will prevail, and a loose rein
will be given 10 ;he arbitrary rule Of the
White House.
All these things viii certainly follow the re-
election Of Grant as thunder follows lightning !
These are tie things which the true reform |
er should not lose sight of for moment
While we sympathize with his dissatisfaction !
with the Cincinnati nominations. aud bis de- |
sire 20 correct the error In the best possible
manner, yet ills dissatisfaction and this wish |
should De kept within due bounds. and we
had these limits 60 be anything but the relec- !
ton Of Grant In the name Of the common |
welfare, the honor and the freedom of the |
American people, anybody before Grant.