Liberal Republican. [volume] (Dallas, Or.) 1872-1???, 1873-01-25
PRESIDENT GRANT.
The "Atlantic MonthIy'' on His Re-elec-
Election,


curity of its deliverance from Mr.. Gree
ley .sand his galvanized Democracy.
For this it may reasonably be grateful
to General Grant, who has a second
time saved the Union-not now from
rebellion and dissolution, as before, but
from an uprising of fofice-seekers under
the lead of an erratic, unstable, and
fill advised pbilanthropist - from
confusion. and corruption, and
absurdity, and babble, and ink-shed,
no end.
For oil this We have right to be
grateful, but in our gratitude let us
not forget tha. as to governmental
reform we nave no surer prospect than
we had one year ago; let us remember
that the faults Of Gen. Grants charac-
ter invoked the dangers from which he
has saved us; let us consider that if
Grant the President hadIbeen different,
Greeley the candidate would not have
been at all let us look at the facts of
the late campaign and the present
situation in the face. and now that we
are saved, let US see from what Gen.
Grant is to be saved.
Every party found presented by the
Presidential election only choice of
evils, 1t was so confessed by the tariffs
and civil service rcformers who origi-
mated the Cincinnati Convention. and
unwittingly prepared the instrumentai-
ties for the nomination of Horace
Greeley. 1t was freely declared by the
Democratic party when they ratified
this nomination. 1t was so regarded
bv the thinking portion Of the Rcpub
Ican party, who demanded an elevation
.ot the character Of tbs Government
in all its branches, which they could
not expect under a renevalof the term
OF drants Presidency. But they had
the measure of the evils and liabilities
of the present Administration, and
they have decided to hold to it rather
than take the immeasurable risks of
the Admin tration of Horace Greeley.
and Of restoration of the Democratic
party to power.
The election OF Grant is therefore
the choice of the lesser evil. 1t is not
an unqualified Endorsement of his con
duct, nor d. claration of popular con.
tentment with the present status for an
other four years. On the contrary, his
reelection liberates reform sentiment
which was represseo Ly the necessities
of the election contest. The sense of
having been placed at a disadvanta tagc
before the enemy by the short comings
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 con
duct will be subject to severity Of judg-
ment which will be something new to
our party experiences.
The paradox that the denomination
of tho President without any apparent
opposition, and so vigorous contest by
his party for his reelection, was not
a full endorsement Of him BY his
supporters seems to require explanation
although it is plain enough TO political
observers. A Government which. in
all it's branches and details. is subject
to elections at short periods, draws .
greater number of its citizens into the
pursuit of Office and creates greater
fabric of political machinery which is
a controlling power in nominations.
The vast patronage of the President,
dispensed through Congressman, and
by these through local Committees and
managing politicians, furnishes the
means for welding this political ma
chine. The dispensers and recipients
of his patronage are all bound by their
own interest to promote his renomina.
ton. Whether he orders it or not, all
the power of his patronage is exerted
for his denomination. Practically this