The New York herald., 1873-08-25

would do tnis by means OF some species OF power,
/ physical or moral-through actual coercion or in.
timidati0n.
OORREsPONDENTLCerta
MI. REED am not in love with usurpations
under any circumstances, though in some cases
they seem to be necessary. However benign and
advantageous to the country the rule Of usurper
may be, the
PEOPLE SEEN ALWAYS TO REMEMBER AND RESENT
the TACT that his power was not legitimately ac-
quired. 1t was not SO much fear OF practical des-
potism az 1t was hatred OF illegtimacy which took
the LIE OF julius Cesar and left the work OF estab
hsning tne Empire to his nephew, probably one Of
the most skilful politicians that ever lived Prop
erly interpreted the imperial lives OF the two Ma
poleons were struggles to overcome the disadvan-
tages Of an irregular accession to power, and the
history Of the life Of Oliver Cromwell is lesson to
the same effect
CoRREsPoNDENr-But you say in some cases the
imperial usurper seems to be necessary
Mr.. REED-Certainly governments grow out of
necessities, special powers Of government out Of
special necessities. Caesar, Cromwell and the
NapOleons were Indicated by the political con-
ditions OF their respective times and countries.
CORRESPONDENCE why are you opposed to
C&sarisms
Mr. REED-Wel, am opposed to getting into
situation which shall render it necessary. II we
shall get into that situation the chance will be be-
tween anarchy and despotism; for the disease OF
the former OF which the latter is the most eectual
remedy.
ConhEsroNDsNr.T o why do you say that
CRsarism Is llegltimateY
Mr.. REED-l do not say so. say that the peOpe
never seem to forget its
FORMAL ILLEGITrMACY.
usurper mas always two forces against which
10 contend, Jne resentment Of the people and the
ambition Of rivals studious for their own advan-
tage to stir the people to mutiny.
CORREsPONDENT-But do you think there is any
DANGER OF sucn condition IN the United States as
snail make C@sarlsm a welcome resourcef
Mr.. REED-lt Is to be hoped there is not but it Is
to be feared that there TO consider ali the ee-
ments OF the present condition ana their bearings
would require more space than is allowable. We
have become y composite peOple-are getting to
De more and more 80 continually. COmpOsltism is
social anarchy, and
WORKS tne exungulshment OF that common moral
sense whichts the sole dependence Tor purity and
study for a statesman to trace the effect of our
race 1ntermixtures TO their consequences in pOlit.
Cal decentralization.
CoRREsPoNDENT-But what of General Grant ? Is
ne to De the Caesar, and has he in him the elements
OF usurper and an emperor
acter, think there is little probability OF General
Grant becoming the Emperor OF America. He may
permit great deal OF wrong, and do much to pre-
the bold leap from the Presidential char 70 the
imperial throne do not now apprehend.
C0RREsPONDENT-Up0n what do you found your
OpinionS
Mr.. REED-Upon several things. General Grant
has never, so ,ar as | have heard, manifested any
innate political ambition. He never ran for con-
stable, manipulated u ward meeting or sought q
seat in q city council or legislature He drilted
INTO tle army by the natural set OF the current at
the beginning OF the war; drittcd into the COM
mand; driIted into the place of commandment.
CHIEF, and finally drted into the Presidency.
There is In him very little of that propensity co
look higher and use all available means Tor his own
elevation which stimulates the politician to actv-
ity and makes him preternaturally watchiul Of
fected. Political audacity Is a natural endowment
1t can neither be learned nor Initiated and of this
species OF lntrepidity the lie OF General Grant al
lords little evidence. In other Words
GENERAL GRANT DOES NOT BELONG TO THE MASTER
CLASS
which lnstinctlveiy directs as well as boldly exc
cutes. On the contrary, he belongs to the class
tnat species O, iaithiuiness which impels him do
that which is appointed to him as we rs he knows.
of the military academy He was correct porter.
q correct clerk, a correct subordinate i'll public
department. He fought the war; with the govern
ment behind him. and without doubt rendered o.
good service as he was capable OF rendering. Ii hl
did not do the best that could have been done il
was because the best above his capacity He
obeyed because the interest of obedience was 4
part OF his character. His detects as u President
are due to the TACT that his character wants the
political elements, SO that he can neither compre.
hend craftsmanship as a science nor administer it
as an art Placed where he Is, supreme above
or the means TO surround himself with proper
counsellors, and his administration drifts without
rule or liked points Of departure As u ruler his
character resembles that OF
A FACfIE PRINCE
described by BOlngbrOEe, not Intentionally bad,
but destitute of the wisdom and courage essential
to being good. From such man much that is ig-
nOminiOus and corrupt IN men aud measures may
gain the announcement OF sunerance but he VIII
commit no wholesale usurpatiOn.
CONSEQUENTLY you not think, Mr.. Reed,
more IS to be feared from the republican party
than Its representative? Is It not the tendency Of
cal church catholic in Iaith and inlabe in its
teachingsy
is not question arising but what tnat party con
siders itself able TO handle. It has high tariif and
low tarir, free trade and prOtectlonsts, universal
suffrage and universal liberty members; ir mas
poor and rich, without regard to nationality is
strong IN the South, stronger in the West, and
Grant is renominated and the republican party re.
mains intact, have not the least doubt but he
will be elected.
With this our interview ended. Mr.. Reed re.
sumed his explorations IN the agricultural reports
and your correspondent, with a small dog bar king
az ms yeocs gopfS The % snnab Wa ov Which e @
has not been seen IN Washington.
Thomas b. Florence, OF the Sunday
Gazette.
From 1851 to 1861 there was in Congress from
Philadelphia genuine specimen Of the Old bunker
democracy. NOt Ohe Vi youT Wcdk'kueeu, tenuer-
hearted, easily frightened politicians, but regular
cavaIrynan on blooded stock, who swore by Jerrer-
son and Jackson, and later swore by Johnson and
at Johnson, with more vehemence than any man
weighing less than 200 pounds, whose political mis-
fortunes compelled him to own and edit news
paper. In the early days Of negro Suffrage in the
District he pointed out with hts right hand the ter
ribe evils which would come on this country on
account OF the election OF Grant, and with his left
drew dark pictures Of the future at ward meetings.
He was compound OF the Jerersonian, Jackson
ian and Johnsonisn democracy. Imperturbable.
Nothing could change HIM. Yet see what
AN EFFECT
the society Of Washington viii have on such
man.
Colonel Florence, 1t may be said for the enlight-
eminent OF the uniformed reader Is editor OF the
Washington Sunday Gazette. The following is the
interview:-
CORREsPONDENT-COune Florence, what do YOU