The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-05-20
Auti- Munupolist.
Harpers. Weekly ON the Thiro 1efm
..Why don't Grant SPEAK Out
<D...~o uorpor,s Weekly

u.rpers, Weekly on the Third Term
..whv don't Grant speak out?
From Harper's Weekly!
y The Republican Convention OF ONO,
which meets on the I'd OF Jurs, and that !
Of PENNSYLVANIA, which will soon assem-
HE: have very important responsibility.
FOR thew will not only nominate candl-
dates to be supported in those States at
tho next election, but they will show the
shirt and purpose Of the party, which
are not subjects of State Importance
alone. but of national significance. In
deed. it is hardly too much to say that
the action of these conventions will deep
" affect the Presidential result in 1876;
and this is point which every delegate
should carefully consider. Ceremonial
nartv declaration of glorious achieve
ments, and vigorous denunciations OF the
Democratic enemy, however well tounoeo'
will not avail. There are positive dis
contents, Impotence, and determination
in the political world, and these are not
to be allayed or set aside by anything but
equally positive and sincere evidence OF
resolution of reform. We mean reform
in large and general sense, not only IN
the details of administration, but IN us
tone reform shown by the character OF
party leadership, and by the hearty con-
demnation of a merely selfish control.
A successful and prosperous popular gov
eminent implies and requires the highest
natriotism. the consent Ct the purest
character and the best ability. When
these disappear from public affairs. when
politics have degenerated into mere IN.
trigue and trade, good government anu
the liberty and justice which 1t IS meant
to secure, are III Danger.
We have said that the battle Of 1876
is first to be won within the Republican
party. and we mean by it that if the par
ty does not show that its better elements
and men control the organization, II the
influences and tendencies under which 1t
has lost prestige and has declined IN
mower continue to be dominant, the Pres
idential election is already lost. A ma
iority Of voters, very large majority IN
numbers, and an overwhelming majority
in character and intelligence, greatly pre-.
fer to act with the Republican party, and
have no hope, as they have no reason fol
hope, of the accomplishment Of their pur
poses by the Democratic party. This
majority can be retained upon one con
dition only, and we have already lndl
Gated what it is. 1t must he distinctly
understood that the third term is to b.
opposed at any cost, that military force
is to be employed only in stric
subservience to the letter ant
spirit of the Constitution, that mel
Of the best character and abilit,
are to be sought for appointment t.
office, and that the ofice.holling contro
Of political action is to be discountenane
ed. The majority of which we spea
must be made to feel that these thing
are to be done, not merely promised, an
\ that can be effected only by 'ndlvldu'
determination and action. A party
nothing but it's members, and they al
/ individuals. Leaders are powerless e.
cent by the consent of followers; and
every fol,ower-the Republican VIII
reads these words and all his neigh bors-
] will insist upon the better policy, the be
/ ter policy will prevail.
The President is the individual wi
4 could do most for the party, both by h
words and his deeds. Nobody can spes
and act for him; and it is more his &C
than his words that have injured
Those acts are not to be attributed to
ill purpose, but often, we are very SUI
to mistaken good feeling and misco
ception IF the moral and impersonal Oh
cations Of official position. For
stance, what can be urged in defense
the appointment to high and honoral
place Of gentleman whom their own d
tricts had just rejected rs Represen
tives? That the President may pers'
allv like them and believe them to
honest and able is not enough, uni
thew are of such standing and charact
or the conditions OF their political rel
ton are so peculiar, that the exception
case is at once and universally recgriz
Thus it was certainly no objection to
nomination of Mr.. Fish to the Depa
ment Of state that he could not h
been elected to the Legislature OF N
York from his Assembly District,
would it be bar to the selection Of G
ernor Dix for any conspicuous natio
post that he had been defeated as c
didate for re- election as Governor. IN
is an instinct which regulates official
ton in such cases as the appointment
p,rtizans defeated at the polls, the
sence of which is instantly felt by
country, and is seriously mischiev'
Mr.. Maynadier was lateiy appointed
master in the army after he mad been
sidered aud rejected ; y tn the p ssnas
An argument may be made for such
ton. but the intent of tie constitu
upon that subject is felt by the coul
to be very plain, and there must be $
extraordinary reasons that could au
r;,e the President to disregard it..
seems to be small thing; but
shows the current. The people see ev
thing, and the final verdict upon p
and an administration is derived from
such observation. 1t is not necessar
suppose that the President is n
monster, or q ack.hearteo conspal
against public liberty, or less pat,
than the rest Of US, because OF acts v
show misconccption Of official duty
such acts are none the less polits
i Al ~