The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-08-05
S. G..
Tuesday Morning. August S. 1878
Gran. and the Purple.

Lnlfu term as TreSlueDt. OemOcrntlC
and Conservative journals, without ex-
ception that we have seen, see in it q
departure from the wise precedent set
by General Washington iu' l79G, aud
which has been respected by all his sue
cessors for three fourths of century.
They arc justly apprehensive, from
General Grants love Of power and
erssping cupidity, from his obstinate
temper and quiet, stolid selfoonceit,
that he will not hesitate to wear the pur-
pie once more, and as often as he will be
permitted to don it. While he was under
the influence of Democratic principles
and usages, and in his earlier days voted
the Democratic ticket. he would have
secuted such an idea. But he now
shows all the virulence and shamefulness
OF the renegade. Whom he went over to
serve the Republican party with his
popularity as military leader, he ex-
acted all the honors aud emoluments
which it would be in their power to be-
stow. Flo sold himself at the highest
price. He drove hard bargain with
them, and now, as per agreement, 6lis
the second term Of the Presidency with
a double salary, and with his greedy
eyes, by common consent in his party,
fixed upon the third torn. He ia o
veritable old man Of the sea, and looks
his tenacious legs round the neck Of his
party, and rides it with relish and an
abandon that would be diversing, were it
not fraught with suoh serious conse-
quences to the country. The same ne
cesuity which re elected him still keeps
him prominent in their eyes. The
army of Office holders, politicians and
placemen dare not undertake to exerciee
any independence of judgment. They
value their official heads too highly for
that. And, with his devotion to spoils,
love of pageantry and readiness for jobs,
he is too valuable to them to bs dis
pensed with.
t'You tickle me. and Ill tickle you,"
is an understood matter between them.
None but he can afford to exercise de-
spotic power. and to scorn the limita-
tiona wisely fixed by the founders of the
Government. The very qualities which
disigure his personal character, and
which he will wear as o brand in the
pages Of history, eminently fit him for
the part which he and his partisans find
it both necessary and agreeable to play.
Republican journals, with few honora-
bic exceptions, throw up their caps, and
flourish their pens Justify in his behalf
They are full of wrath against any oppo-
sition TO their wishes, and continually
cry out, "Great is Diana of the Ephe-
siansH' we arc bound in candor, how-
ever. to admit that there is class Of ca
pable, honest and sensible men in the
Republican party. who keenly feel the
degradation which such mans freaks
and incapacity for anything great or
good have brought upon it. They are
far from enjoying his vulgur sway. But
they are helpless, and shrink from the
consequences Of open opposition to him.
He understands. whatever else he is igno-
rant of, the art Of teaching them their
place. He says to them, MS the fish
woman said to the cells, who objected to
being skinned. Down, wantons, down."
accompanied by such raps on the head
as are not pleasant to feel
It is noteworthy that part OF the
support. as super serviceably rendered
Gen. Grant in his aspirations for the
crown, comes from Southern men.
Brownlow, OF Tennessee, of course, is
ready to dance to every tune. He nomi-
mated Grant long ago, and would brush
his boots, il ho required it. Like Nav
worm, in the play, he loves to be scornod.
Longstreet, of Louisiana, feared to con-
tinue his opposition to him, even in the
last campaign, and gave up his convic-
tions in favor of Greeley and reform, to
save his Standing in the party. But what
can induce men in lately independent
position, like Gen. Mosby and Gov. Wise,
OF Virginia, to come forward so easily
and promptly to bow their necks to the
imperial yoke? Either they crowd into
the great army, whose steps tend to the