National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-28
Grapeshot or Cardsl

CPhtladclphia Press, January %.
Now that their full effect has been had and
their force cannot be broken, we have a word to
say about General Sheridan's famous " bandittr'
telegram and Secretary Belknap's decisive reply,
We all stand by you" which so startled the
country few days since and shook with alarm
and apprehension the counting. houses and quiet
newspaper offices and luxurious elub-rooms Of
Philadelphia and all the cities OF the Atlantic
coast.
Sheridan and Belknap are both experienced
soldiers, trained in the very best of military
schools-the camp and the battle-held-and they
might be safely let alone to put down a riot ia
their own way. But no; the amateur statesmen
Of the North, who from behind their pastepots
and scissors so glibly instruct General Grant and
Congress how to deal with the vexed Southern
question, are also brevet field marshals, and un-
dertOOk with equal readiness to rebuke the Sac
rotary Of War and the Lieutenant General for
not Quelling riot on the same principles as you
would report prayer. meeting or sell yard Of
muslin.
Common sense should have taught any cool,
cle2r-headed man that these rough, prompt, de-
termtned kilograms were written, sent and calcu-
lated for the latitude of riotous New Orleans.
When Sheridan flashed over the wires his nervous
messages electric electricity ITSELF and rave
it himself at the same time to the local reporters,
it was intended not for President Grant, not for
the Cabinet, not for Congress, not for the bust
ness oftices and money markets Of the peaceful
North, but for New Orleans in riot, where the
Well-drilled White Leaguers, with the stolen can
non and rifles Of the United States in their keep
ing, stood to their arms. When Belknap, equslly
ready and decided, telegraphed back, "the whole
power Of the United States Government stands
behind you," that, too, was intended for the tur-
bulent city, in whose streets hostile brigades lay
watching each other.
1t was this, and just this, that eOWed treason
and saved the city.
Suppose that instead Of his determined, soldierly
dispatch, making insurgent New Orleans sure
that there was no hesitation, no indecisfon at
headquarters, Secretary Belknap had tele-
graphed down to the scene of trouble Attorney
General Blacks celebrated opinion, rendered to
Mr.. Buchanan at similarly critical moment,
when the Administration was called on to con-
front the first sullen threat of armed rebellion.
Louisiana would to-day be wrapped In the flames
Of civil war and the whole country rent and shaken
with the tread OF gathering armies.
Or suppose he had telegraphed down a debate
metropolitan Indignation meeting, or an edi-
terial from the New York Tribune or Times, or
one of their Philadelphia tail.pieces-where
would we be now? How many millions of dollars
would it have cost us even by this time? How
L1any Northern widows and orphans, and South
eIn ones, too, would to-day be in tears? What
would be the price Of gold at first call this morn
ing? How many fortunes would be wrecked
how many homes broken up, and how many eii-
tors wildly abusing the Government for Vacellla-
tiOn and coWardice, and want Of nerve and the
knowledge how TO deal with rioters and defiant
insurrection?
Briefly, Sheridan was quelling a riot and dis-
peTsing mob, and he did IL on NapOleon's ia
miliar principle Of loading your cannon with
grapeshot, and letting the rioters see the grape
put into the guns. We, for one, are glad and
thankful that Mr.. Sheridan sent those kilograms
to the mob Instead of his visiting card.