New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-11-30
CESARISM.

done, an English or Austrian subject might
naturally suppose he would, in like man
ner, have abused the confidence of the
people. Hence the charge of 'Cesarism. y
There were two obstacles to the consum-
nation of this idea. First, General Grant
was incapable of any such unworthy de-
sign. In the second place, the American
people are not a blind and breadless mob,
as the Romans were. There is, then,
neither Caesar nor his populace.
But as omment on the arrogant as
sumption of superior sagacity which
marks that semi-alien journal, the New
York Herald, we refer to the evidences of
character given by General Grant in his
past and present position.
l. As General Of the federal armies. 1t is
very well known that General Grant was
no instigator Of civil war. So far from
having an inordinate thirst for military
glory, he had resigned his commission in
the regular army, and was engaged in the
modest and moderate pursuit Of compe-
tency. When called to head the federal
army, there was public dependency, an
embarrassed credit and a want of due conf
dence in the success of its arms. His
campaigns were short, bloody and deci-
sive. He neither spared the enemy nor
himself. But never were his hands
stained with useless blood, and in
no use dld he manifest q vim
dic.lya spi-r ~ the capitulation of
Vich~!urg ii - aid by a Confederate
histol. IN (Pc.lard): "Not word of ex
ultation nor an outburst of victory was
manifested by the foe. Honoring the
heroic gar rison for their bravery, they
would not add to the humiliation of their
surrender by single taunt." General
Grant had distributed food among the in
habitants Of Vicksburg aud furloughed
the prisoners for thirty days, with trans
| portation. This was no doubt wise way
of disbanding the Confederate forces, but
it was not an inhuman way. He neither
sent them to the moats Of Lafayette nor
the cold of Canada. When the disasters
of the Confederacy eliminated at Apo
mattox similar spectacle of moderation
was displayed.
The correspondence in regard to the
surrender commenced by letter ad-
dressed by General Grant to General Lee,
April 7, 1865. 1t states
The result of the last week must convince
you Of the hopelessness of further resistance
on the part of the army of Northern Virginia
in this struggle. | feel it is 80, and regard
it as MY duty to shift from myself the re-
sponsibility of any further effusion Of blood
By asking OF you tie surrender of that por-
ton Of the army of the Confederate States
known as tho army of Northern Virginia.
The reply of General Lee, Of the same
date
Though not of the opinion that the fur |
ther contest is hopeless, expresses desire |
to avoid useless effusion of blood and |
therefore before considering your PROPOSE
ton, asks the terms you will offer on condi-
ton OF its surrender.
Two days afterward General Grant BRO
poses the terms on which he will receive
the surrender of the army, and on the
same date General Lee replied that as the
terms stated ''are substantially the same
with those stated in your lettes o. the
eighth. They are accepted.
There has been scarcely a case in his
tory where the terms of capitulation
have been accepted SO promptly and upon
exactly the conditions first stipulated by
the controlling force. 1t was alike hon
orable to both officers
Subsequently the President and Vice
President of the Confederacy were ar
'ested as prisoners Of State. It was pro-
posed to include in the same trials the mill (
airy commanders who had surrendered.
md subject them to the same sentence. {
Generals Lee and Johnston were placed Oh
he lists OF prosecutions, and the judicial {
authorities were directed to institute legal {
against them. General Grant '
nterposed, and with the generous sense I
II honor which marks the true soldier, s
demonstrated against that which would j
ave been in this case Spanish breach of t
aith. He stood between the living and |
he dead, perhaps he stayed the pestilence \
f hate which might have inflicted at L
east regret upon the republic /
We have the testimony of Gono 4. I
|. Stephens that it was fnairlly O
the ;nstrumentality Of General l
rans that the peace conference took Il
lace at HanptoY Roads. and that '.Mr. Il
lincoln finally consented to meet Is at q
ortress Monroe" General Grant ex. Q
ressed regret that nothing had been ettec- l.
d by this conference, and expressed ga II
.llingness for an immediate and genera! !e
lchange Of prisoners. :"
.. IS President of the United States. In ::
e proposals Of amnesty there were in the ii
hedule of President Andrew johnson al
fourteen CLASSES" excluded from tn. exe.. a
ses of political rights. This lis. Of the al
described has been, IN tileamnesty signed Of
7 President Grant. reduced to few hun. !e
ed. There has been TO special evidence TO
hostility and no spirit OF vengeance in OF
> treatment of his conquered country. Sc
eao He has in some cases restored the1. te
appointments Of trust. ar' in all cases n.
eated their Populations with cons:de,a. in
no III
IT there had been IN this maj. tie a,nbi. 50
n OF Caesar he would have assurediv =
it in continuing the necessity ag
: an army dependent upon himself and ste
ling to execute bis commands. This ..v
Lon f,ona, oft i u