National Republican., 1876-06-16

its duties and the obedienc, and respect
due to, the laws, is too well remembered
to require rehearsal. Towards the expi-
ration of Mr.. Johnson's term the fear of
anarchy existed over our land. Shoulda de-
feat of the Republican party have occurred
through violence and fraud in the South,
and Tammany ballet-box stufing and
other frauds at the North, fearful state
of affairs would doubtless have existed.
Under these conditions, doubtless much
against the will as it was against the interests
of Gen. Grant, he accepted the nomination
for the Presidency. 1t may be said en-
phatically that bis nomination was not
solicited by himself directly or indirectly,
and it may be added that in the military
service of the, country he never directly
or indirectly solicited preferment Soon
after his election as President of the
United States he brought about settle
ment of what is known as the Alabama
claims by means of a commission and
arbitration. 1t was a question which for
five years had endangered our peaceful
relations with Great Britain. Its settle
ment by arbitration may be considered
another "Grantism, " inasmuch as the his
tory of nations does not present so difficult
and yexed questions being settled through
other means than that of the sword. He
endesvored to aid and bring about "civil
service REFORM" but by the cry Of his politi-
cal enemies, abetted by want Of support
from his political friends, and by misrep-
reservations of its objects and results, the
attempt become almost ridiculous. Yet
every thoughtful man feels that the es-
tsblishment of proper civil service reform
is of vital importance to the country.
He has endeavored to pursue humane
policy towards the Indians, which has
largely benefited them, and If properly
carried out will continue to do 80,
and spare US expensive and annoying
wars, which, if they come, we must &C.
knowledge will not be wholly the fault
of the Indians. .-....
After patient investigation of the ad-
yantages likely to be derived from the an
nexation of the Island of st. Domingo, he
presented the proposition fairly to Con-
gress. There was then a howl against
''GrantIsm." The proposition met the op-
position of his political enemies, who,
as a party, quarter of a century be-
fore, had eudeavored to acquire SANTANA
Bay, on the northeastern part of that
island. His political enemies were ef-
fectiyely aided by Mr.. Sumner and other
Republicans of note, who seem to have
been blinded by fear or hate of "Grant-
ISM" Under Congressional action COM
missioners were appointed, majority of
whom, although appointed by him, were
known by the President to be opposed to
the project, and sent to the Island of ST.
Domingo. The press was invited or per-
mitted to send correspondents. Upon the
return of the parties, after an inspection
of the island, the result was an unsnimity
of sentiment surprising as to the value of
the proposition; but Mr.. Sumner, aided by
the political enemies of the President, pre-
vented the annexation of st. Domingo,
leaving. through this set, most uncer-
tain political future for that country. Had
St. Domingo been annexed Coushatta and
Vicksburg massacres Of the poor blacks,
and other diabolical wrongs, would not
now disgrace our history. and like dark
and ominous cloud overshadow the South.
Had St. Domingo been annexed it would
have been an asylum for the blacks,
wherever oppressed, and would indirectly
have taught the people of the South their
true interests-to protect instead of over
awing and numbering the blacks. The
old slave-owners would then have re-
strained the vicious and ignorant whites
who commit the wrongs confidence and
security would have been established, and
ere this genuine prosperity would have
been established in the South. Few emf
grants of wealth or character will go into
a country where a war of races exists,
which, in some form or other, will con-
tinue until the weaker race succumbs or
is driven out.
The laws of a constitutional country be-
come imperative against the will of
large majority of the white race, who
studiously endeavor to degrade the negro
to q state of actual servitude for the bene-
fit of the white race, and to that end use
whatever violence they deem necessary.
Many of the more Intelligent and best dis.
posed of the old inhabitants, the former
slave owners of the South, find it con-
venient to leave and take up their abode
in the old free or the border States, where
no violent antagonism of races exists, and
so bushes usurp the once. cultivated fields,
and silence and desolation increase and
spread over the South. Legislation on the
currency which would have imposed upon
US most doubtful future was vetoed by
the President. This doubtless made the |
Republican party the exponent of looking |
TO gold and silver as the basis of value for |
the currency. Whilst the press denounce
''Grantism" as something deplorable, the |
major part In all the money centres regard |
the death of the ''rag baby as a necessity
for the welfare and prosperity of the |
country.
The President has caused careful and |
extended inter-oceanic surveys to be made |
over the entire extent of our continent |
which presented a promise of success |
This has narrowed the question down to |
an undoubted superiority for construction |
and permanency of work of particular |
route. Whenever condition of affairs |
shall exist that will render the construc- |
tion of an inter- oceanic ship canal practi-
cable, "Grantism" will be found to have |
paved the way completely for this grand |
work. This, in fact, may be regarded as
the crowning act of his extraordinary and
most useful career as public man. 1t is
well known that the President four years