New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-14

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The following letter from the vetera,
journalist and politician, Thurlow w ed
appeared in the Albany journal of tn,
fourth instant, and subsequently in full il
the World. Mr.. Weed does not claim t.
speak for the Republican party, but he il
competent to give advice which young mel
can not afford to treat lightly. Thirty five
years ago he was editor of the paper hi
letter addresses, and he became the mos
influential man in the Wing party. HI
tried Democracy by supporting the recon
structiOn policy of Andrew johnson. He il
Republican, because that party appears
less evil to him than any other, and because
bis knowledge Of politics teaches him tina,
the party which attempted SO recently tc
destroy the government, always dear to his
loyal nature, can not yet be trusted with
control of national affairs:
New YORK, March 25, 1876.
To the Editors Of TIE Albany Evening Journal:
Your letter asking for my views on the
approaching Presidential election was duly
received. Although from protracted iii.
health. have been long withdrawn from
active political duties and associations,
am by no means insensible or Indifferent to
the general welfare. Indeed, at no period
of my life have l been 80 anxious about
good government, for in no period in our
history has reform in this respect been 60
much needed. At the close Of the revolu-
tionary war, as at the close of the war OF
1912, enlightened snd patriotic statesmen
in the national government set themselves
diligently to work, inaugurating D licies
and enacting laws designed and calculated,
by reviving commerce, establishing manu-.
factures and promoting agriculture, to re-
store public prosperity; while simultan-
eously the national credit was placed upon
firm footing, by policy which insured
the payment Of the public debt. And all
these beneicent objects were accomplished.
All the great productive interests of the
country, each acting advantageOusly upon
the other, were soon seen in successful and
harmonious operation.
We came out of the war with England.
in 1915. honorably, but crippled and i'm
poverished. Except that the demoraliza. =.
ton was far less fearful, We were as badly
of as when the war Of the rebellion was
terminated. But in three years, with wise
and good men at the helm and on the look
canvas, had taken new departure on q
long and prosperous voyage. A protective
tariff, with an economical and honest ad-
ministration of the government under
James Madison, James Monroe, and John
Quincy Adams, brought palmy days, with
increasing wealth to the people and
strength to the country. Ultimately,
by an il!-omened union between De-
mocracy and slavery, these measures
and policies were repudiated. Then
ensued twenty years of misrule, culminat-
ing finally in rebellion which wiped out
both Democracy and slavery. This great
result, however, cost much more than the
blood and treasure shed and expended in
its accomplishment. The complete triumph
over rebellion did not "trammel ND its con.
sequence" We are suffering from wounds
now less endurable than those inflicted
during the war, while we are threatened
with othera in the form Of "claims" from
rebellious States, which will, if recognized,
ruptcy. In the hope of forcing these
reasonable "claims" through Congress, re-
bellion af6listes with Democracy. And
thus the issue for the approaching presi-
dental canvass is made up.
The elections of 1874 resulted in the re-
turn of Northern Democrats and Southern
rebels enough to constitute a majority in
the House Of Representatives. These ele-
ments fraternized; and the use they made
of their power in "casting its shadow be-
tore" teaches lesson not likely to be for.
gotten. A prominent and Jealous traitor
whose hatred to the Union prompted him
to give the name of Mr.. Lincoln's assassin
to his con. was appointed secretary to the
Committee Oh Wey5 and Means,
while, simul .aneously, twelve manned
Union soldiers were removed to make
places for as N any rebel politicians. With
such a beginning, supplemented by the
speeches OF rebel Generals Gordon and
Hill, it is evident that the followers of JEFF
ferson DAVIS expect to recover by political
strategy what they lost by , resort to arms.
FOrew warned. therefore, of the character
and intentions of their adversary, the
friends Of the Union ought and, doubt not,
will forearm themselves for tho contest. In
view of the Importance of that contest, and
Of the intensity of feeling and effort which
It will awaken, it behooves the Republican
party, shaking off all membranes, to seek
and occupy its highest vantage ground. 1t
ian not be denied, nor can we afford to con-
zeal the fact that the present administra-
ion has failed to justify the expectations of
he people, or even to realize the hopes of
ts best friends. 1t was easy to perceive, at
he close Of the rebellion, that a grateful
PEOPLE would reward with the presidency
he military chieftain who had won victO- |
les for the Union at Fort Donaldson, Vicks- |
,urg and Richmond.
l was among the first to say, personally, |
o General Grant that the popular sense Of |
to him would always manifest |
tself in his nomination and election; that |
was pOntaneOus movement, which re-
uired no aid and which would not be re.
trained; that nobody was en- titled to credit
Or being in his favor, and that he would
ecome our chief magistrate, free to ad-
OnCnRnmanf 81,
le to the welfare of the people and to the
onor of his country. In that interview l
arrated to General Grant the incidents
with the nomination of the Ia
lented General Taylor, whose administra-
on, but for the bereavement which pre-
laturely deprived the country of his SER
ices, would have been eminently distr-
uished for its purity, patriotism and wis
ON. left General Grant with confident
s natural good sense. fortified by military
would enable him to display
lecutive ability and distinguish his ad-
inistrati0n by high sense of official in
gritty and honor, and by an earnest devo.
On to the public welfare.
There were difficulties, however, in Cen
al Grants way, which no amount of wis
IN could avoid. The ''cankers" of long
Dr. had eaten into the heart of the nation.
public and private, had
come almost universal. Our country was
omed to pass through ordea!s of fraud
ID corruption, described by Sir William
'pys and Lord Mscsulsy. by which Eng
nd was SO long dishonored, and on &c
unit OF which the English people were
pressed by crushing and memorable taxa I
N. In his encounter with these difficult
s, General Grant has not been fortunate
g Cabinet, as q whole was not wisely | 7
Osen; and when vacancies occurred. his {
ginal mistakes were not corrected, The :
q Vice President Wilson appealed | }
.on and narnaaflu In Aho /