The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-05-05
THE SPHINX SPEAKS.

At last it Is reported that the silence
is broken, and the high and mighty
Sphinx Of the White House has opened
his mouth and spoken. Not directly, b.
it understood, for that would be lower
ing of dignity; but through Il mouthpiece
in the person of Senator SARGENT, of
California, who asserts that the President
told him be was tired and wearied out
with public life, and longed for the time
10 come that he might lay down the
sceptre.
Again it is argued that the appoint
ment Of Mr. PIERREroNT in place of
WILLIAMS is another indication OF His
Excelency's sentiments, for PIERREPoNT
i, believed to be Of conservative inclin-
ings. and did denOunce the third term
idea. Both these things are being extern
sively commented on, and, 10 some, they
seem to bring much consolation, mas
much as they are presumed to settle the
Executives third term aspirations.
Regarding the sentiments expressed to
Senator SARGENT, however, II the Presi-
dent used any such, they Indicate great
inconsistency. If he really has, all this
time, felt tired of office, and was
willing to withdraw into private life,
why has he kept such obstinate silence?
The cry of Cmsarism has been taken up
and echoed all over the land
Party defeat has been ascribed to 1t,
and vet the President refused to speak,
on the plea, forsooth, Of not wishing to
lower his dignity, when to have set the
matter at rest, would nave only required
"A removal, for five minutes, of the Presi-
Dental cigar After the damage had
been done, it is rather late to utter q re
luctant disclaimer to the charge. And
besides. if the words alluded to,
were spoken, why have the
Presidents deeds been so peculiar?
WHY has he shown so much anxiety for
the concentration of power? Why did
he manifest such concern for the pas
sage ofthe civlrights. and force bills, and
other measures Of Iihc nature! why
did he maintain an usurping governor in
Louisiana: countenance the invasion of
her legislature; contradict himself in
Arkansas and advocate the forcible up
setting Of State government lie himself
had recognized? If he did not do all
this for the purpose Of controlling the
votes Of all the States to certain ex
tent. and the Southern States particular.
" 50 that they might be cast for himself,
il is hart to understand why he did so
act. That is the natural and only con
struction to be put upon his conduct.
Regarding PIEREEPoST's appointment
too another strangely inconsistent case
is presented; that is if PIERREPoNT is
really Conservative, and if il is true as
generally alleged, that the place was in
tended for b. BUTLER who would have
received il had there not been such strong
opposition in the Cabinet. BUTLER is
the most rampant Of Radicals; an avow.
ed third termer; the champion of the
favorite measures of the White House
incumbent, and man who delights in
discord. for war is that upon which he
fattens and grows rich. \ change from
such an one to Conservative is strange
indeed. 1t is most sphinx-Iike riddle,
and exceedingly hard to be solved. a
procedure only equalled by the speaking
of such words rs Senator SARGENT says
Mr.. GRANT spoke, after doing what the
world knows he did. Tho words and the
action both appear very like I'M
willing performances, forced from him
at length, by overpowering influences.
But, be this as it may, the Radical
marty need not congratulate itself
tbat the third term incubus is dnally
DISPOSED Of and it can now march
ON to conquest. Even if it were not a
load which refuses to be removed at this
late dsy. there are many other things
scored up against the party which cannot
no cast of. Since the war, it has done
nothing TO commend itself; but TO the
contrary, ITS record ofcorruption has been
in exact proportion to its lease Of power,
It never held any claim to popularity
except what it could derive from war,
and when the minds of the people were
absorbed in the great excitement, 1t
rode into power on war; it has tried to
maintain power only by war, and false
.bloody shirt issues. But these are days
of peace. The country wants peace; 1t
will have it, and therefore, third term
or no third term, will have nothing
more to do with the party Of strife and
discord.