The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-05

held the country as 1t never had been held by
Jefferson, jackson or Lincoln-by any one, in
fact, since Washington. Mistakes in admin
istration, indiscretions in policy scandals in
appointments and DEGREES, blunders and mis-
weakened any President have been forgiven,
because the country feels that Grant is the
legitimate successor of Lincoln and means in
honesty and good faith to carry out his gov
erning ideas.
From these historical deductions it is we
think, safe to assume, as cardinal principle
underlying all political combinations and
speculations, that the present political era is
under the control of General Grant He is as
completely master of his party as jackson or
jefferson were masters of their party,
while republicanism is even more demo-
cratic than democracy in its palmiest
days. He can name his successor, unless he
makes up his mind to destroy his party; and
we question if the act of political suicide
would not be beyond the resources of his
craftsmanship. It is probable that this ap-
parent immutability leads to the suggestion,
now taking life, that he shall be again candi-
date for the Presidency. Great as General
Grant has shown himself to be, and powerful
as his party is undoubtedly, the suggestion
seriously accepted on his part would be virtu-
ally to leap from the Tarpeian Rock and
leave o name in history to be remembered
with the names of Burr and Arnold. We do
not say this as a criticism or assault upon
General Grant We hold him in honor and
kindness. But his election for third term
would be to certify to the world that republi-
can institutions had failed in America.
Whenever any man, however eminent
or patriotic or gifted becomes necessary to
our government, then are we no longer capa-
BILE of self-government. The time is coming
when we must consider gravely this whole
question of the Presidential Office. The attri-
butes of the Office, its prerogatives and posi-
bilities, its ever-increasing power and splen-
dor, the yearning Of a cultivated and wealthy
society for court honors and the attractions of
a court life, the desire of those in Office to
retain power and reward, the question, in fact,
whether q strong Executive does not weaken
the Republic, must in time become the most
important in our politics. The denomination
of General Grant would precipitate its con-
sideration. We should have canvass of
unexampled bitterness. If he were defeated
his illustrious name would be stained. If he
should be elected then our Republic would
be as grievously wounded as when a sub
mssive Senate in the Roman days permitted
an imperator to assume continuous power in
the person of Augustus Caesar.
Whether Csesarism is to be the next issue or
not is serious question. Much rather would
we put it aside as an impossible episode.
But as it is we are in new era. Old issues
are settled old parties have dissolved. Even
the famous men of the last political generation
have gone to rest, their work being done.
The great men OF the Lincoln period-where
are they? Lincoln. Seward, Stanton, Chase,
Meade, Thomas Farragut, Lee-they have
gone to sleep with the Fathers of the Repub-
lie, and new men reign in their stead. OF the
renowned Cabinet that decreed emancipation
but two remain. But two remain, and only
ten short years have passed So swiftly do
events sweep into history, leaving new and
grave duties to we who remain To us they
are as momentous as any that have gone
before. History is repeating itself in our
politics; we are in On era of change like what
we saw under Washington, Jefferson and
jackson, and if this question of Cesarism
continues to assume a menacing aspect we
shall have an issue more difficult to decide
and more essential in its proper determination
to the national liberties than any that has
gone before