National Republican., 1873-03-04

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GEN. GRANTS SECOND ISAUGuRA-
TlOS.
The second Inauguration Of Gen. Grant, |
which takes place to-day, marks the begin
ming Of o new epoch In our political history. |
1t marks, FIRST Of all, tho full and complete |
triumph Of the principles that were Cnun-
ciated In fear and trembling more than six
teen years ago /. marks Union restored, a
people emnnclpatedi 1t is the living, outward |
sign that republican government In the United |
States Is a pure and unadultcrated democracy
under which all men stand upon the same
lovcl Of civil and religious liberty. The life
Of the President who will be inaugurated to-
day Is the record Of the most glorious achieve
monts Of the Republic uring the last twelve
years. lie is tho representative Of Its vic
tories In the field, Of Its triumphs in peace,
Of Its marvellous prosperity and advancement
during the last d. eadc.
To-day Is one Of the three memorable
pcace-days In General Grants life. Eight
years ago he marched through Washington
at the head OF the victorious armies that had
conquered the rebellion. -Four years ago he
was luaugurated President amidst the plaudits
Of tho entire nation, and to-day he will be
again Installed as Chief Magistrate for the
next four years with an enthusiasm and
unanimlty that has scarcely parallel since
the days Of Washington, when a young re-
public, coming out Of the long travail OF a
bloody and rrotrIcted revolution, with one
accord selected 1t, great military chieitaiu to
lead II through the scarcely less difficult and
dangerous paths of peace. General Grant
may well feel proud Of the ceremonies with
which to-day. the people strive to do him
honor; but no more modest and humble man
will this morning pass beneath the triumphal
arches that span the Avenue. In whatever
light he may be regarded, he stands mag
niacent type Of the American cltlZen-simplc,
unprctendlng, capable of doing great things
In a way that makes the world sometimes
forget he Is great and think that each and
every one Of us could do what he has done.
But putting aside all these mere personal
considerations, and turning to the great pa
tion naturally suggest, We are certain that
the most bitter and the most prejudiced can
sec in 1t only omens Of good cheer for the
future. 1t is, of course, impossible to dis
gulse the fact that his reelection marks the
asceRdanCy OF one political party and the
defeat Of another; but the victory which he
achieved was so great and overwhelming as
almost to oblitcratc party lines, and make 1t,
as far as 1t was possible to make 1t, a
national triumph. General Grant will
10 to-day, In fact as well rs in name,
the President Of the whole people more than
any Que Of his predecessors since Washing
ton. 1t Is true that venomous brood OF
vIpers cndcavorcd to sting him to death dur
Ing the late canvass; that he was slandercd
and DETAINED In the most brutal manner by
men who had made his conqucsts and victo-
rics the stepping stones TO power and place
and cmOlument; but when the hour came to
render the popular verdict the people rallied
to his support and gaN renewed evidence OF
their faith In his ability, patriotism and devo-
ton TO the best Interests Of the country. Gen
cral Grant owc' his victory to no man and
no set of men. The opposition have told us
that 1t was the forty thousand postmasters,
the assessors, the collectors, aud the gaugcrs
who, organized and disciplined, defeated Mr..
Greeley and the Liberal Republican party.
It was a pleasant way Of accounting for 1t.
But in all that whole movement, whose
Growing we shall celebrate to-day, there
was a power higher and greater than office
holders and oiIiec-seckCrs which controlled
and impellCd them. That power stands be.
hind Gen. Grant to-day aud will go up with
him In spirit, at least to the eastern front OF
the Capitol. Once for all, parties aud poltl-
clans had better understand that he is the
master OF them all; master because the pcO-
pie arc master, and have made him the min
that he owes some allegiance to the men who
stood with him in the front line Of the battle,
but there Is after all something higher and
greater and better than party in thls country
and we are confident that Gen. Grant will not
sacrifice or ignore 1t merely to catch the
breath of u AeGting public opinion. His first
torn closes In blaze Of glory not the glory
Of battle or Of conquest, but otPeace. During
the last four years the country has been
singularly prosperous. The wounds of the
war have been healed the national Indebted
ucss, which pressed down the industries and
the enterprise when he was. .arst called to the
Executive chair, has been sonsibly reduced,
aud Its entire payment demonstrated to be
only question Of few years. taxation has
been lessencd; troublesome foreign questions
have been satisfactorily and honorably set
tied; peace has been maintained at home and
abroad; the law enforced equally and Impair
TALLY, and the American republic elevated to
higher point in the esllmation Of the world
than ever before. The verdict Of history
upon the Administration that has all bat
closed will be, we are certain, that twas
cmlnently wise, dignilcd, practical, aud
!patriotic.
THE WEST POINTERS.
4 For moro than the reason that they Will
Infinitely add to the grandeur OF the display
Of to-day, we are glad that the cadets OF the
United States Military Academy are with u.s.