The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-04-17

There Is some comfort In the reflection
that fourth part of the Presidents second
term has expired. The country l. at least
one year nearer to the end Of Grantism,
and Of the evils which IL 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,
and such like, who have acquired
the worst notoriety, are the master spirits
at the White House.
Propriety is discarded, good faith pro-
scribed, principle Knocked at, and even
common decency turned out Of doors to
make Ring rule more remunerativc 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 IL Is the same uniform story of
deliberate outrage and prostitution Of the
appointing power to selfish purposes.
The President has treated the patronage
as personal perquisite. and selected his
officials in fragrant defiance of the civil
service rules, which he himself approved
and pretended to accept as a guide.
The pledges made by the Philadelphia
Convention which renominated Gen.
Grant have been trampled under foot,
while every other promise of reform osten-
mtiously paraded i'm messages has shared
a similar fate. Reckless waste and shame
less larceny are visible i'm every depart
ment. beginning with the extras expended
for the White House. and the violation
of law In employing enlisted soldiers for
the mental 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
speculati0ns 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
ism than from all other causes combined.
The republican movement in Europe has
been set back by the glowing illustrations
Of corruption which have disfigured 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 fa-
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 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
lams 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 Sem
ate and VIGOROUSLY defiled with corrup-
ton Is not only allowed to retain his place
as Attorney-General and to advise on the
most important questions, but he is known
to be the peculiar confidant 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 rcpudiating him, as was done
in the case Of Andrew Johnson, and cut
ting loose from all responsibility for his
misdeeds, the Republican party, In and out
of Congress. has hitherto shouldered Gen.
Grant. assumed 10 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 a necessary consequence of this mis-
taken policy, unless IL is soon abandoned.
both the party and the President must 30
down together. They are doomed 10
common fate. There is no resurrection for
either; and hence 1t Is that we hail with
satisfaction the end of the first year of the
last term of one who has compromised
whatever reputation he brought into the
Presidency, made jobbery a matter Of
policy. consorted with plunderers. and Is
now universally recognized as friend and
patron of the most corrupt Rings.-N u