Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-04-19
gov. PALMER OPPOSES GRANT.

GOV. PALMER OPPOSES GRANT,
We expressed dissatisfaction the other
day with the doubtful position which Gov.
Palmer, of Illinois, occupied. He had been
represented as opposed to Grant and favor
ing the movement of the Liberal Republi-
cans, and then it was as positively asserted
That he had said he and Grant were person
al friends, and that he would not allow
difference OF opinion about public measures
to place him in opposition to Grants re-
election. These statements, both positively
made, left Gov. Palmer in very equivocal
position. But he has not suffered himself
to remain so long. He publishes letter in
the Carlinville Democrat, which is repro
duced in to-day's UNION AND AMERICAN,
in which he dissipates all the doubts that
the Grant Radicals have chung to with such
desperation. Gov. Palmer uses no uncer-
tain language, and leaves not doubt as to
the position he occupies. He says that be de-
termined not to be a candidate before the
Republican State Convention for renomi-
nation, because that body will be controlled
by men whose leading object is the renomi-
nation and reelection of President Grant,
and because they will have right to *
pect that the candidate for Governor viii
sympathise with this object. The Cover
nor does not believe that President Grant
should be renominated or reelected, and
he says so in a way that leaves no chance
for misinterpretation. He gave his sup
port to Grant in 1868, because he consider
ed that there were certain issues following
upon the war that exceeded in Importance
measures of administrative reform. Now
the tranScending issues are the reduction
of taxation, the enforcement of official
honesty and responsibility, and the protec-
ton of the liberties of the people. For the
promotion Of these reforms, Gov. Palmer
looks primarily to the States, and not to
the Federal Government, which is too re-
mote from the sources of power. But Pres
ident Grant has shown disposition to ig-
more and override the State Governments
and Gov. Palmer instances his action in
sending four companies of Federal soldiers
into Illinois, and in approving the course of
Gen. Sheridan in placing Chicago under
military rule. These acts he characterizes
as 'lawless and dangerous assumptions of
authority" which he cannot defend or eX-
cuse. Gov. Palmer is as much of States
rights man now as be was when he arraigned
Grant for invading Illinois with a military
force and when he sustained Gen. Sheri-
dan in his usurpations and utter disregard
of the rights of that State, in defiance Of the
Governors earnest protest. Finally, Gov.
Palmer says that he could not say to the
people that president Grant has the incli-
nation and ability to enforce economy and
reform in the government" and that be
''will not submit his judgment on these
points to a convention that will be domi-
mated by his appointees and partisans."
This bold and unequivocal expression is
what might have been expected from its
source, and assures to the cause of consti-
tutional government and administrative re-
form, the support of man of great ability,
approved patriotism, and thorough and un-
swerving consistency.