New-York tribune., 1875-11-02
GP4NTTSM.

Shall Grantism be upheld Whatever par
ties may desire, this Is still an issue when
cannot be evaded. Only ono year ago, the
people condemned the National Administra-
tion in the most emphatic manner. Its friends
have been anxiousy watching for some sign
of change in popular feeling. The victory OF
honesty in Ohio, though really due to the
efforts and votes of men who are as hostile as
ever to the policies and practices OF the Ad-
ministraton, they claim AS proof of its reyiv-
ing strength. If Pennsylvania rebukes the
advocates of imitation and reputation to-
day, that will also be heralded as n
victory of the Administration. Can the people
of New-YOrk afford to add a third great State
to the list Of those in which RcDublicanlsnl,
defeated in 1874, prevails again in 1919
Here no question of national honor over
shadows all others, and iustifes Republican
vote. VIII IL not he claimed, with much show
of reason, that il the Republican party can
succeed in Ncw-York, against Democrats who
are thoroughly sound on the question OF
finance, as we'll IA in Pennsylvania and Ohio,
against the shameless doctrines avOwed at
Erie and Columbus, the triumph is that of the
present Administrations and not of a sound
currency or n genuine spirit of reform?
What is Grantism! Those mistake alto
gcther who suppose that it means only an IN
dorscment of the Presidents revived as
pirations for reelection Were Grant
to die Tomorrow, the same spirit and
policy would still exist, as power
ful us ever President Grant is merely
the tool of powerful combination, which
uses the Presidential Office as it does other
branches of the public service, and all the ma
chincrv of party, for corrupt personal or unscru-
pnlcus partisan ends. Around him have gathered
the most dangerous men in political life.
They look upon party only as IA machine
with which to secure for some men high
Offices aud for others fat Jobs. Grant suits
them because he has 20 higher ideas of the
nature and duties of party. They look upon
the public service in all its branches as part OF
the spols of victory, to be used by the victor
for his personal advantage. Grant suits them
because he has no higher idea of the Presi-
dental Office But if he should die, they would
find some other equally serviceabe.
Many of these men have Presidential aspila-
tiops others have had. For year OF two
after tle election of 1865 and again after the
election of 1872, they were willing enough to
SEQ Grant broken down, in the hope that they
might secure his place. But each of these
conspiiators would rather have Grant than any
body except himself Each of them, rs his
own aspirations fade, falls into line as an
ardent supporter of the President. OF the
vote which this most unscrupulOus element
in the Republican party can command, the
whole can he concentrated upon Grant,
if il is believed that he can succeed,
or upon any other whom the managers may
think more available. Thus the people, IL they
wish 10 break up this mastery OF the country
by Ring, for selfish or corrupt ends, mast
show, not merely that they are hostile tn
Grant himself. hut that they will not tolerate
tho success of the Grant party a. long aa
it's present manager. retain control of it. They
must ~ thoroughly defeat that parry thai ITS
honest voters shall east off this rnic of Rings
altogether, and insist upon the selection oi
men who represent the principles OF honest
Republicans, ther convictions OF duty, and
their desires for reform.