The New York herald., 1873-09-08
souE sCATHING sCINTuLATI0Ns,
Cesarism an ImposEibility a. . Permanent In
Fitution- Probability Of War a. Nssk-
A Delicate Analysis Of tho Charac-
tar Of the Soldier-President.
Views of Judge Packer,
of Pennsylvania.
What Representative Southern Men Say
On tho Subject.

For the purpose Of know ing what Mr.. Frank Les
he thinks OF C@sarism q representative OF the
HERALD sought him recently. at his once, In
the building corner OF Pearl and Elm streets, de-
voted to his publishing interests. Mr.. Leslie was
found al last in his own room, surrounded by an
atmosphere redolenr with artistic, editorial and
reportorial ability. Alter the gentlemen OF the
pencil and the knights of the quill had retired, Mr.
Leslie settled himself In MS easy chair and init
mated that he was ready for the enemy to ap.
proach.
HERALD REPREsENrATIvE-I believe, Mr.. Leslie,
that you are somewhat interested In the question
Of C@sarisma
Mr. LEsLIE-You are ri ht, sir. Not only do take
personal interest in the discussion, but think
my paper was among the foremost 30 agitate
the question and to call the attention OF the Amerl-
can people to the breakers on which they were
drifting.
HERALD REPREsENrATIvE-Do you think then
that C@sarism is practicableS
THE PRACTICABILrTY OF CAEsARIsx.
Mr.. LEsLIE-Yes; the people have become 80
iisgusted with the effects or political agitation
that they are absolutely lukewarm. The manage.
nent OF the national affairs being out OF their
hands, and in those Of professional politicians, 1t
not strange that they are drifting under the
shadow Of political tyranny
HERALD REPREsENTATIvE-If this be so must il
not be admitted that the Republic is faurea
Mr.. LEsLIE-Not necessarily. While the political
administration Of the government may at times be
failure the average political opinion OF the
masses is so honest and progressive that in the
end the character OF repubicanism is fostered and
maintained rather than otherwise.
HERALD REPREsENTATIvE-If this is true state
ment Of the case would not the overthrow Of the
nd aoto ~ ,Iichu
brought about only at the cost OF blood
Mr. LEsLIE-H Cesarism should ever come to
pass in America-of which there is only poss
biliry and not prObability-it would be brought
ABOUT by just such acts as the republican party has
been committing ever since 1t has been in power;
and oy such acts mean those that we witnessed
In New York. for instance, at the last election
arbitrary transactions which had no show OF au-
thorty such as invading the sanctity OF homes as
was repeatedly done. l mean, also, such acts as
We have witnessed in louisiana where the State
government was trampled under foot and the
washington supremacy maintained
AT THE POINT OF THE BAYONET
Imean such acts as are embraced in the appoint
ment to office OF men like Cramer. Babcock, Casey
and others OF that llk. They are men who repre-
sent no party or politica! idea They are but the
arbitrary choice or one man. And when a party
ike the republican party, being at any one time
large majority OF the people, recognize tue right
OF one man to violate all the traditions OF poiti.
cal science and precedent, in appointing nonenti-
ties to office, that party and that majority are so
far In favor of what is called Cgsarism which is,
In reality but classic expression for the one
man power.
HERALD REPREsENTATIvE-Do you think, then,
that the Louisiana troubles were but the frst act
in the Caesar dramaS
Mr. LESLIE hardly think that Grant was fol-
lowing any fixed idea OF his own at that time. 1t
was an outburst OF his own personal disposition.
He thought he was master, not servant, Of the peo
pie. He cont understand the meaning OF repre-
sentative government. He is naturally an arbi-
trary man, without ideas, and when such man
has great power there Is no more dangerous CON-
binaton. Time and temper suiting. and the peo-
pie being quiet, he Is uncOnsciousiy following his
own bent. 1t Is habit with Linn to be q tyrant-
not an idea.
HERALD REPREsENTATIvE-Then you don't think
that previous TO the appearance OF editorial articles
IN the HERALD he had any idea or Casarsm Are
there not men around HIM who whispered the
idea TO him
THE MEN AROUND GRANT.
Mr. LESLIE hardly think So The men who i'm
mediatey surround Grant are but enjoying tem-
porary power. ana to tell the truth they haven't
brains enough TO originate so stupendous an idea
as Cesarism. Each OF his followers has some local
In Indiana Cameron in Pennsylvania. SO long as
they can feather their local nests they are satisfied
with the party. They are not political genuses,
only political pap-eaters.
HERALD RErREsENrArIvE-po you think that
there exists to-day in America any arstocratic
class who would hail the banner OF Cesar with
Clamation
Mr.. LEsLIE--The real arlstocracy OF America is
not in favor, think, OF such an idea as Casarsm.
Being educated and refined, IL has become dis
tasteful TO its members TO mix in any political
matters They have no interest In them whatever.
There may be possibility of the shoddy people,
those who made fortunes by furnishing army
beef' and "glue hats" to the soldiers In the field
m
one reason-being common, they would be likely
to be recognized by a common Caesar.
HERALD REPREsENTATIyE-ls not this apathy
that you have mentioned OF the socially influential
classes dangerous
Mr.. LEsIiE-By all means. hold that one OF the
greatest dangers to the Republic exists in the In
difference with which her best citizens regard her
affairs.
HERALD REpREsENrArIvE-Do you not think
that General Grant has more imperial chance
from the possession OF purely negative qualities
than rom any other reason
GRANTS NEGATIVE CHARACTER.
Mr.. LEsLIE-Yes. While Grant has busied him.
sell about his own private affairs he has allowed
commercial and other money interests to gyrate
as they please. Money makers consequently are
satisfied with his non-inter!erence Had he been a
genius-say like Napoeon--he would have been in
danger or assassination II Lincoln had been a
fool he would have been alive to-day.
HERALD REPREsENTATIvE-ln your opinion has
Grant any personal idea OF Casarism
Mr. LESLIE don't think that General Grant
ever had or ever Will have, an idea. He Is merely
floating on the tide, and the tide OF republicansm
is setting toward Cesarism; but 1t will be arrested
opportunity OF C@sarism is in the sectionalization
OF the Union. There Is New England temper, a
western temper lGrangism), a Southern temper
(apathy), and Middle State temper commercial.
isrnl. All these gradually being unified, and
when they are wholly 30 C9sarism Is impossi-
bility.
HERALD REPREsEHTATIvE-Admittin Just for the
sake OF argument that C9sarism Will be possible,
do you think that the South Will shake hands with
an emperor In preference to the President pro-
duced by Northern partyf
THE SENTIMENT SOUTH.
Nh a
IN the old element Is so the new element Is prac-
ticai AS the old sentimentalism has lost slavery
as an object IL will in time take hold OF political
science. The educated part OF the South Is really
more disposed toward socialism than any other
section OF the country. ,,
once established would 1t be possible TO WELD this
Immense country rom one centre, say IKE wash
Mr.. LEsLrE-No. The different sections OF the
country would disintegrate themselves rom tne
Union. central government IN this country car ~