Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-10-01
GRANTS SPEECH.

GRANTS SPEECH.
Our reticent President attended the re-
union Of the Army Of Tennessee at Des'
moines, Iowa, where on the 29th nit. he
surprised everybody by makinga speech.
His remarks were as pointed aud concise
as an army order, and may mean a great
deal. We have always given him credit
for aspiring to a third term, and this re-
markabls speech quite confirms the
suspicion. His expressions toward the
South we're rather conciliatory and SOL
der like. He said: We will not deny
TO any of those who fought against us
any privilege under the Government
whieh we claim for ourselves or country.
He would welcome all such who come
forward in good faith to help build up
the waste places and to perpetuate our
institutions against all enemies IS broth
ers in a full interest within q common
heritage, but, says he, we are not pre-
pared to apologize for The past. Well,
who wants them to, Or even thought
Of such a thingl This is an Illusion Of
his brain, the same as the assertion in
his last message, that q class of citizsns
in our midst--the colored race--are not
guaranteed all their rights under the
Constitution. he urged the cultivation
Of an intelligence among the people in
regard Is political matters, and made
the remarkable prediction that if we are
to have another contest in the near fu-
turs, the dividing line will not be Mason
and Dixon's, but between patriotism
and intelligence ca the one side aud
superstition. ambition and ignorance on
the other. Abiding to the centennial
era, he said:
Let us all labor for more security OF
free thought, free speech, free press,
pure morals, unfettered religious senti-
ments aud equal rights and privileges OF
all men, irrespective of nationality,
color or religion; encourage free schools,
and resolve that not one dollar appro-
priated to them shall be applied to sup
port any seetariau school, and resolve
that neither State nor patton shall sup
port Institutions, saye thosR where every
child in the land may get q common
school education unmixed with atheistie,
pagan or sectarian teachings. Leave
che matter Of religion TO the family
altar. Keep the church and State tor.
ever separate. With these safeguards, ]
believe the battle which created the
Army Of the Tennessee will not have
been fought in vain.
The reference to the school question
was intended, doubtless. to affect the
Ohio canvass, where that false issue has
been logged in and distorted to suit the
purposes of the Republican party.
When Norton went to Ohio he advised
the party to make the fight OIL the school
question mainly, and they have followed
his advice. The public will be startled
10 hear that the President q the United
States anticipates another disruption Of
the government, either in the near or re-
mote future. Heated political contests
may be expected, aud all the people may
learn to take 6 lively interest in politics,
but this generation has bad its share Of
war, and no class of people, sage posi-
bly, spectators and shylocks, would to-
crate the bare idea. We must think
that Grants mind is more disturbed
about the Ohio and Pennsylvania elec.
tions and the next Presidential contest
than any other impending conflict. He
is keeping a sharp lookout for that inn
probable emergency which, he sid in
his letter, might make it necessary for
him 10 accept another nomination and
thus again save his party, ifnot bis conn
try. he possesses q horoscope Of pow
erful magnifying qualities, with which he
no doubt brings the chances up to salts
factory proportions. Ia the State OIL
Iowa the outlook may be fair, bat if he
will look at the Massachusetts, State Re
publican platform, he will not feel SC
comfortable.