, 1872-12-21
PRESIDENT GRANT.
The &C Atlantic Montrly'' on Els Ee-
Election.

Election.
from the Atlantic Monthly for December.
The Presidential election Is over at last; and
the nation breathes freer in the security Of its
delivery from MI. Greeley and his guaranteed
Democracy. For this it may reasonably be
grateful to General Grant, who has second
time saved the Union-not NOW from rebellion
and dissolution. as before, but from an uprising
Of of6ce-seekers under the lead OF IN erratic,
unstable, and iu-advised philanthropist-from
confusion, and corruption, and absurdity, and
babble, and iuk-shed, no end.
For all this we are right to be grateful, but in
our gratitude lot us not forget that as to govern
mental reform We have no surer prospect than
wo had one year ago let us remember that the
faults Of General Grants character invoked the
dangers from which he has savcd us ; let us con-
slider that if Grant the President had been diff
fernt, Greeley the candidate would not haye
been at all let Us look at the facts Of the late
campaign and the present situation in the face,
and now that ne are saved, let Us see from what
General Grant ia to be saved.
Every party found presented by the Presiden-
tial election only choics OF evils. It was so
confessed by the tariff and civil service reform
ers who originated the Cincinnati Convention,
for the nomination Of Horace Greeley. It was
freely declared BY tho Democratic party when 1t
ratified this nomination. It was so regarded by
the thinking portion Of the Republican party,
who demanded an elevation Of the character Of
the Government in all its branches, which they
could not expect under q renewal Of the term Of
Grants Presidency. But they had the measure
OF the evils and liabilities OF the present Admin
istration, and they have decided to hold to it
rather than take the immeasurable risks Of the
administration Of Horace Greeley, and OF 8
restoration Of the Democratic party to power.
The election of Grant is therefore the choice Of
the lesser evil. It is not an unqualified indorse-
ment Of his conduct, nor declaration Of popu-
lar contentment with the present status for an
other four years. On the contrary, his re-elec-
tion iberates Q reform sentiment which was re-
pressed by tho necessities OF the election contest.
The sense Of having been placed ut disadvant-
age before the enemy by the shortcomings Of the
Administration, will give the reform demand an
energy it did not have before. The wounds Of
the battle will give an unwonted sharpness to
criticism in the Administration party. Whatever
load the supporters OF the President have had to
carry in the fight will now be freely cast upon
him, and his conduct will be subject to severity
Of judgment which will lie something new to our
party experiences.
Tho paradox that tho denomination Of the
President without any apparent opposition, and
so vigorous a contest by his party for his re-
election, IVES not full Endorsement OF him by
his supporters, seems to require explanation,
althong 81 it is plain eaough to political observ-
ers. A Government which, in all its branches
and details. is subject to elections at ehort Pc
riods, draws great number of its citizens into
the pursuit Of office, and creates great fabric
Of political machinery which il controlling
power in nominations. The vast patronage Of
and by these through local Committees and man.
aging politicians, furnishes the means tor wield-
ing this political machine. The dispensers aud
recipients of his patronage are all bound by
their Own interest to promote his denomination.
Whether he orders it or not, all the power Of his
patronage is exerted for his denomination.
Practically this power is i1rosistiblo. It is sutl-
cient to make the support of my candidate
against the President seom unfithIu1neas to tho
party. Under ordinary circumstances no MEM
ber Of the party could expect to succeed in g.
contest with the head Of the Administration for
the party nomination. Such conflict inside tho
party, in tho face Of powerful enemy, would
expose it to defeat. Therefore the party shuns
such contest, aud is led into spirit Of intoer-
anco toward competing aspirants, md their sup
porters. In the nature of things, while tho
President desires denomination, It is practical
" impossible for any to compete with him, ct
least until he has had the second term, which, in
our traditions, is duo to good President.
And besides all this, q multitude in the Repub-
lican party had that blind confidence in Grant
which the mass always have in their leader in
successful Har, and that steadfast allegiance
which groVsT!cut of such a relation, extended
from miltaEyto to political triumph, Thus tho
fact OF the denomination is accounted for, al
though there is in the Republican party, not
excepting eren those public men who seem to be
personal adherents Of Grant, a widespread feel
ing OF discomfort with him, and among all the
thinking CLASSES 4 feeling tlat NO need an ele-