The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-15
THE HERALD AND GENERAL GRANT.
The Policy Of the FIXTURE.

rise to the thought that the policy OF this new Pc
riod, strengthened by the experience and divested
OF the uncertainty OF first trial, would modify In
certain points the course OF thu administration,
and would open favorable prospects for the sou-
ton of certain questions upon which the claims OF
the public interest for satisfaction have been up to
the present UNDECIDED. IL was but natu-
raj that the press sought to dispe the
doubt and to ascertain in some precise
manner, by authentic information, the point Of de.
parture OF the new administration. 1t was natu-
raj in a word, that those entrusted with the en-
lightenment Of public opinion should undertake
the task of ascertaining the principal bearings Of
the Presidential policy, the fundamental thought
Of the government, the proposed changes In the
Cabinet, and particularly in relation to the ques-
ton OF the finances; the provisions touching the
proposed conduct of the government in dealing
with foreign Powers, especially with Spain, and,
lastly, the views of the Executive upon the re-
establishment OF order In Louisiana and upon va
rious other home questions such as the submission
OF Utah to the laws of the United States and the
position to be maintained In treating with the
Indians
To the HERALD 1t belonged to throw light upon
all these points, and 1t has done So II has received
q despatch from one of its ambassadors to Presi.
dent Grant, who received him with perfect cour.
tesy and who FASTENED to furnish all explanations
which he thought proper to ask. By this means
the representative OF the HERALD has learned all
that the people were most anxious to know, that
the new administration has no important point Of
departure from the DID, that the chief lines of the
future Presidential policy are precisely the same
as those to which the government has been con-
fined in the past the reign which now COM
mences has no other fundamental ideas than that
which has just ended, that there is no change
in the composition Of the Cabinet pro-
posed still less in relation to the nances that the
policy of the government in dealing with foreign
Powers will not so far as can now be fOreseen. be
less firm and candid, not even with Spain, where
Mr. Grant sincerely desires to see the republic
flourish; that Cuba would probably be able, with
out aid, to declare her independence; that Louisi-
ana Is in q normal condition; that the laws are
being executed there under federal protection,
and that public order is no longer menaced; that
the MormOns have right to a certain amount Of
respect for the services they have rendered to the
State, but that they will be held amenable to the
laws and, lastly, that the policy OF peace with and
protection to the Indians is in fair way of being
successful, and that his only desire was to concili-
ate the general interests and the rights OF
humanity. The conclusion is that all is well
along the line, that those who have been prog
nosticating some change in the conduct Of public
affairs have been simply dreamers, that Mr..
Boutwell, is the only person and the only thing that
Is not immutable in the government, and that he
has no reason expect 1t will be necessary to con-
woke Congress before the regular session OF De.
cember next at which time only Mr.. Boutwell, him
self intends to abandon the portfolio Of the Finance
Department to ensconce himself in his Senatorial
chair.
Happy countryl Happy PRESIDENT Happy gov.
ernmentl Happy peOplel What . difference be-
tween this quietude and satisfaction, between this
policy which moves quietly along in its tracks,
without wheel to change, without care for all
the Summer, without q legislative pang until Win
ter-and while these poor nations OF theO Old World
distracted, weighed down with cares and alarm,
obliged constantly to devote all their resources and
to save themselves from perishing, to repair their
worn-out machinery, in propping up their declining
institutions and in plastering up their cracked gov
erning structures Is 1t not marvel to witness with
what camness, with what stoicism, this people
models It's course and continues on its way aban
doning all that which In others gives rise to constant
Indignation and anger ? or what Importance; in
effect are these light shades which cross pusillani
nous minds-abuses, corruption, arbitrary use OF
power, financial disorders, vena legislatures, vio-
lated laws, dictation substituted for government,
taxation inundated to the rapacity OF officials,
and all these menus propOs which create matter
for the newspapers and cause men Of state TO-
smile grimlys The ship runs by herself before
the wind, and has no need OF assistance
from any other source. What would be the
good of changing anything Why touch the sails
when they speed the good ship on at such rate,
and when even the storms are all favorablef Aht
Mr.. Grant is prudent captain, and he is not likely
IN sink the craft for the sake OF trying her over
nav course All Is well around him. He finds
everything right but what he approves especially
are himself and that which he does. HIS vision also
extends beyond that Of any one else, In, proof OF
which read what he says In reference to Loui-
saua:-"My only policy Is the execution OF the
laws and In the recognition of the decisions of the
Courts.n 1t is sufficient in replying to these men,
tai chagrins to remark that the President is not
compelled to understand the laws in the vulgar
sense of the word. When no speaks Of the law
It Is martial law that he means; he only knows Of
that and II there is any other in Louisiana 1t Is
clear there has been q Migrant usurpation, and an
arbitrary encroachment upon civil rights, for that
which was wrong has been sustained by law--the
strongest law by federal bayonets 1t Is true, that
despite the satisfaction which the situation sives
Mr.. Grant, he desired In order to prove ms con-
yictions to the people, to show his paternaA face
and make tour in the South. But one Of his
houses has been burned in the West. ana he has
changed his route he win go to st. Louis, and the
"reconstructionn of Louisiana will have to give
place to the reconstruction Of the Presidential
estate In Missouri. At the end of the. account
we find that General Grant received a good
lesson nom the apparently indiscreet puestioner
who asked him wnat, then, he counted on
doinE during the four years open before him.
"N0'hlng" ne replied, with about his habitual
lsconc manner, aud that is sufficient, This is not
a great deal certainly, ana when a government has
such good arguments III favor oil its service, WHY
( should VIC wish one iota OF the policy to he
changed Evidently General Grant is travelling
the true constitutional path, and those VINO weulc
| wish him to turn aside from it must be treated q.
eipS SIMPLY !actlQus, SUCH u the moral and suchu