The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-08-26
GRANr'sFENALD LDlsPOsETKON OF THE
CARPET-RAGGEBs---rkaE GROWN
ING GLORY OR MS LIFE.

GAA NF'SF FINAL Dl8P0sxTHON OF THk
CARPET-8AGGERs-- GROWN.
ING GLORY OR his LIFE.
The Presidents ext linary usurpatior
Of power when he sends = Steinberger t.
take charge OF the SAMOAN Islands, ia the
Southern Pacific, has never been properly
explained. The soundest Radical papers
have said that his acts, in this behalf, are
without the shadow of authority; and
when We tell that three years ago he sent
this same Steinberger, to this group OF
islands, in a government vessel to survey
the scene and report upon the condition
and character of the people and peculiar
products Of Samoan industry, and all this
without authority; and that recently Stein
berger again went forth in an armed vessel
with rich presents and guns and munitions
Of war furnished by his right royal high
ness, the President of the United States,
and all this without the shadow of right OF
authority-when these facts are published,
the people and press and party leaders man
Ifiest not little amazement. The islands
are cotton growing and sugar-producing
very like San Domingo, for the possession
Of which Grant, not long ago, manifested
the keenest anxiety. Then, it will he re-
membered, he was thwarted of his specula-
tive and other purposes by a recalcitrant
Congress; now, it will be observed, he acts
! not only without the authority, but abso-
lutely without the knowledge of the Con-
gress. The only objection to Grants con-
duct CONSISTS in his unauthorized use of a
Federal ship. Those Gsttliug guns and
light artillery and munitions of war must
be his own private property. Steinberger
is his own personal agent, and Steinberger
takes possession of the charming islands,
property enough, in Grants name. In
fact, the whole transaction satisfies us that
Grant "meant business" when he said he
1 did not think, unless some great necessity
superVened, that he would accept a third
term. He is going to Samoa. He likes the
sea shore, and it is all sea shore, and there
is the loveliest beach in the world about
Samoa. He has kept an ivemized account
of the whole cost of government property
used in Steinberger's expeditions and in
perfecting plans for the seizure of the is
lands, and Mr.. Hancock and Mr. Reagan
and other members of Congress will surely
see that, in adjusting the Presidents ae-
counts with the treasury, the cost of Stein.
berger's outfit and voyages and of public
property used by him is deducted from the
$50, 600 per annum now expended in main
tanning the royal establishment of his Ex-
cellency in Washington. When the Presi-
dents plenipotentiary, Steinberger, arrived
recently at Samoa he addressed the assem-
bled chieftains and people of the several
islands, telling that he 'tbore a letter to
them from his Excellency, U. S. Grant,
President, ETC., which .hey would pre-
serve" and that he was ''proud to be the
bearer of It," Steinberger further said he
came to stay and thcn proceeded, with
infinite modesty, to tell that they must have
q government house, (palace), and soldiers
and cannon to guard it, and that as prime
minister, he would accept it. He appointed
one Of the chiefs king for four years,
and himself ''prime minister for life."
All of which was very modest and decent
! of Stein. President Grant, in his letter,
calls him "Col. Steinberger." Plainly
enough, it is the Presidents personal, pri-
| vate speculation. He simply uses the
glamour of his high Office to impose mas
ter upon the Samoans till he himself may
appear. He has become habituated to au-
tocracy, and, when he leaves the White
Houae at Washington, would enter palace
in Samoa. HaTper's Weekly, commenting
On these extraordinary facts, and condemn
| ing Grants conduct without stint, says that
Steinberger is, 'sthe very prince of carpet
baggers, that Grants conduct is exceed
ingly comical," and that this is "the latest
outcropplng of C@sarism." If he cannot
be himself a king he can make king, and
if he may not own San Domingo, with the
consent of Congress, he will have Samoa
Without it. It.may cost him years salary,
but he will wear crown. He proposes, no
doubt, to make Samoa his final resting
place. st. Helena for our Napoleon.
Thither will be transferred the army of
carpet -baggers whose terms of Office in the
South expire with that of the President.
1t is wise and beneicent scheme, and
Grants fidelity to his friends, as shown in
this generous preparation of fit abiding
lplace for an army Of lifelong place holders,
must make his name and deeds forever adj
uirable. The South especially viii rejoice
in his benefcence, and Tankersly, Bowen,
Birthstone Brooks, Spencer, Kellogg. and
the brothers-in-law Casey, and the rest, and
Brother orville, of the Quaker commission
OF Indian robbers, and L. j. Davis and
Maynard, and those negro-chosen Congress
men of Mississippi-now slaughtered seri-
attn. by Lamar-ail these are to find offices
in the blessed islands of the South Pacific.
Grant has never done the country such in
finite service Ms this now proposed to be
!Aehie-ed, and at his own cost. Europe
looks ON gIeefully. The nations are nn,,zed
that successor of Jefferson and Monroe,
and Of jackson and Johpsen, should set up
/ = ksng in violation of the laws and tradi-
tions and spirit Of American repubiicanism,
but when the benign purpose of the Presi-
SeEt Is eomprehended, inyolving his grace-
ful retirement from the chisf msgistraey Of
j mighty empire TO the modest realm of a
little sea-girt isle. his fame win be chanted
everywhere. Earth's millions will catch
the glowing theme. and earth, air and
\ ocean resound with the praises Of his illus
trious name.
PREsmKSr LEKDo, IL he escape the me-
r,.s;fv for war with the United States, viii