The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-04-16
GrantiSm Declining.

IN re is some comfort in the reflection
that fourth part of the Presidents second
term has expired. The country is at least
one year nearer to the end of Grantism,
ana OF the evils which it has inflicted on
the public service, and of the pernicious
example which has demoralized all con-
nected with the administration of affairs
., since the foundation of the Government
there has been no parallel to the extrava-
gance, corruption, arbitrary assumption OF
power, prodigality, and contempt of pub
lie opinion now witnessed. The Shep-
herds, Caseys, Jaynes, Buffers, Sanborns,
ana such like, who have acquired
the worst notoriety, are the master spirits
at the White House.
Propriety is discarded, good faith pro-
scrlDed, principle Knocked at, and even
common decency turned out of doors to
make Ring rule more remunerative and
complete. JObbers and desperate adven-
turers without character or credit are the
boon companions of the President of the
United States, enjoying his confidence,
directing his appointments, and shaping
his policy.
From Casey at New Orleans to Simmons
at Boston it is the same uniform story of
deliberate outrage and prostitution of the
appointing power to selfish purposes.
as personal perquisite, and selected his
officials in fragrant defiance of the civil
service rules, which he himself approved
and pretended to accept as guide
The pledges made by the Philadelphia
Convention which renOminated Gen.
Grant have been trampled under foot,
while every other promise of reform osten-
tatiOusly paraded in messages has shared
similar fate. Reckless waste and shame
less larceny are visible in every depart
ment, beginning with the extras expended
for the White House, and the violation
of law in employing enlisted soldiers for
the menial service of the President, to
save servants wages.
Gen. Grant has grown rich in Office, and
in that respect he is the solitary exception
TO line of honorable predecessors. His
name has been openly associated with
speculatiOns of the Ring at Washington,
like the Seneca Sand Stone Company, of
which Henry ID. Cooke was the chief pro-
mOter, and the stock of which was dis
tributed freely among high officials and
members of Congress, to conquer their
prejudices.
Free institutions have suffered more dis
credit during the last five years from Grant
lSm than from all other causes combined
The republican movement in Europe has
been set back by the glowing illustrations
of corruption which have dSfigured the
national name abroad, and which were felt
so deeply in the recent elections in Eng
land as an influence against the advance of
liberal ideas.
AT home, where the facts are more IA
miliar, and gross venality is audaciOusly
Haunted before the public gaze, as if this
degrading vice was something to be proud
of, a strong sentiment of Indignation is
reused in every direction. The people see
the dignity of the Chief Magistracy low
cred, and the influence of that great office
converted into a source of profit or abused
TO uphold unworthy favOrites. Their pride
is wounded and their resentment is pro-
vOked.
Only recently the President nominated
one of his worst sycophants for the office
of Chief Justice, and refused to withdraw
the nomination when informed by the Ju-
dietary Committee that the gravest charges
against the integrity of George ii. Will |
liams had been established by the clearest
proof. He yielded only when Williams
made the request, with rejection staring
him IN the face, with certainty of expo |
sure.
The man thus arraigned before the Sen |
ate and VIGOROUSLY defiled with cOrIup- |
uOn Is HOu only allowed 10 retain his place |
as AttOrney-General and to advise on the |
most important questions, but he is known |
to be the peculiar cOntidant of the Presi- |
dent and the member of the Cabinet who |
of all others stands nearest to his regard |
There are reasons why he dare not dismiss |
him, which aggravate the offense of the |
President.
Instead of repudiating him, as was done |
in the case of Andrew johnson, and cut
ting loose from all responsibility for his
the Republican party, in and out |
of Congress, has hitherto shouldered Gen.
Grant, assumed to defend his acts, to JUS
tify his nepOtism, and to condone his |
crimes and misdemeanOrs against the Con-
stitutiOn and the best interests of the
country.
AS necessary consequence of this mis-
taken policy, unless it is soon abandoned,
both the party and the President must 90
down together. They are, doomed to a
fate. There is no resurrection for
either; and hence it is that we hail with
the end of the first year of the
last term of one who has compromised
reputation he brought into the
Presidency, made jObbery matter of
policy, cOnsOrted with plunderers. and is
now universally recognized as a friend and
patron of the most corrupt Rings.-N. Y.
Sun.