Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-04-07
THURL0W WEED ON THE POLITICAL
SITUA TION.
NEW YORK, March %, 1876.

| long Withdrawn from active political duties and
| associations. am by no means insensible or in
different to the general welfare Indeed, at no
period of my life have been so anxious about
good government for in no period OF our history
has reform in this respect been so much needed
At the close of the Revolutionary war, as at the
close of the war of 1872 enlightened and patriotic
statesmen in the National Government set them
selves diligently to work, inaugurating policies
and enacting laws designed and calculated, by
reviving commerce, establishing manufactures and
promoting agriculture, to restore public prosper
ity; while simultaneously the national credit was
placed upon firm footing, by policy which in
sured the payment Of the public debt And all
these benefcent 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 1919,
honorably, but crippled and Impoverished. En-
cept that the decentralization was far less fearful,
we were as badly off then as when the war OF the
rebellion terminated. But in three years, with
wise and good men at the helm and on the look
out, the ship of State, with full and flowing can.
vas, had taken new departure on a long ana
prosperous voyage A protective tariff, with an
economical and honest administration of the Gov
eminent 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 ill-omened
union between democracy and slavery. these meas,
ures and policies were repudiated. Then ensued
twenty years Of misrulc, eliminating finally IN
rebellion which wiped out both democracy and
slavery. This great result, however, cost much
more than the blood and treasure shed and ex-
pended in its accomplishment. The complete tri-
umph over rebellion did not "trammel up its con-
sequences" We are suffering from wounds now
less endurable than those inflicted during the war,
while we are threatened with others in the form
of "claims" from rebellious States, which will, If
| recognized, bring the Government to inevitable
bankruptcy. In the hope of forcing these trca-
sonable claims through Congress, rebellion af-
| iliates with democracy. And thus the issue for
| the approaching Presidential canvass is made up.
The elections of 1874 resulted in the return OF
Northern democrats and Southern rebels enough
to constitute majority in the House OF represen-
tatives. These elements fraternized; and the use
they made of their power in "casting its shadow
before teaches lesson not likely to be forgot
ten. prominent and jealous traitor whose ha-
tired to the Union prompted him to give the name
of Mr.. Lincolns assassin to his son, was appointed
Secretary to the Standing Committee on Ways
and Means, while, simultaneously, twelve manned
| Union soldiers were removed to make places for
as many rebel politicians. With such beginning,
supplemented by the speeches of rebel Generals
Gordon and Hill, it is evident that the followers of
Jefferson Davis expect to recover by political
strategy what they lost by resort to arms.
Forewarned, therefore, of the character and in
tentions of their adversary the friends of the I'm
ion ought and doubt not, will forearm them
selves for the contest. In view of the importance
Of that contest and of the intensity of feeling and
effort which it viii awaken, it behooves the repub-
lican party, shaking off all ncumbrances to seek
and occupy its highest vantage ground. 1t cannot
be denied nor can we afford to conceal the fact
that the present Adm Illustration has failed justify
the expectations Of the people, or even to realize
the hopes of its best friends. 1t was easy to per-
ceive at the close of the rebellion that grateful
people would reward with the Presidency the mil
itary cheftain who had won victories for the Union
| at Fort Donaldson, Vicksburg and Richmond.
Twas among the first to say, personally, to Cen
eral Grant that the popular of obligation to
him would manifest itself in his nomination and
election; that it was spontaneous movement,
which required no aid and which would not be re-
| strained; that nobody was entitled to credit for
being in his favor, and that he would become our
Chief Magistrate, free to administer the Govern
ment with an eye single to the welfare of the peo-
pie and to the honor of his country. In that in
terview narrated to General Grant the incidents
connected with the nomination of the lamented
General Taylor, whose Administration, but for the
bereavement which prematurely deprived the
country of his services, would have been eminent
ly distinguished for its purity, patriotism and wis
dom. / left General Grant with a confident be-
lief and hope that, like General Taylor, his natu-
raj good sense, fortified by military education,
would enable him to display executive ability and
distinguish his Administration by high sense of
official Integrity and honor, and by an earnest de-
votlon TO the public welfare.
There were difficulties, however, in General
Grants way, which no amount of wisdom could
avoid. The "cankers" of long war had eaten
into the heart Of the nation. Generalization,
public and private, had become almost universal.
Our country was doomed to pass through ordeals
of fraud and corruption described by Sir William
Pepys and Lord Macaulay, by which England was
so long dlshonored, and on account of which the
English people were oppressed by crushing and in
exorabie taxation. In his encounter with these
difficulties, General Grant has rot been fortunate
Ills Cabinet as whole, was not wisely chosen !;
and when vacancies occurred, his original mistakes
were not corrected The late Vice President
Wilson appealed often and earnestly to the Presi-
dent in favor of elevating and strengthening bis
Administration by associating with Governor Fish,
Cabinet Ministers OF large experience, recognized
talent and pronounced integrity But all such ap-
peals were disregarded. The financial department
OF the Government, through . crisis requiring the
exercise Of the highest intelligence and the most in
flexible integrity, was placed in the hands of an
utterly incompetent man. Nor while evidences of
Mr.. Richardson's incapacity were manifest and
multiplied would Gen. Grant listen, until for this
and other obstinate refusals to regard the popular
will, his eyes were opened by the disastrous de-
feats sustained by the Republican party in 1874.
But even that ominous lesson failed to awaken the
President to just and full sense of his high re-
sponsibiiity. Other and equally vital reforms were
demanded ana refused. Early IN the first years Of
Gen. Grants Administration, Governor Cox of
Ohio, retired from the Interior Department for
some reason unknown to the people, Nothing
was then or has been since alleged against him.
His successor, Mr.. Delano, came into office with
good character and clean record, both of which,
however, were soon lost. But in the case of
Mr.. Richardson, the President refused to listen to
the numerous and damaging accusations agains t
Mr.. Delano. For many months after that gentle
man ielt constrained to tender his resignation, the
President perversely refused or neglected to &C.
cept 1t, and only yielded to an indignant popular
demand, seconded by the other members Of the
Cabinet. do not care to dwell upon recent and
still more startling delinquencies.
there Is little or no compensation in the crcum-
stance that our fallen Secretary of War found
discreditable examples for his misconduct 10 the
wholesale traffic in offices by the English Minis
tiers OF War during the reigns of the Georges.
These delnquencies constitute, in the aggregate,
burden under the weight of which no Admins
tration can stand Happily, however, the Repub-
lcan party Is stronger than its ADMINISTRATION.
, But 1t must not cucumber itself with the oboquy
that attaches to official misconduct 1t cannot az
ford to defend excuse the errors of the Presi-
dent or the frauds of his apponees Ia return for
the great service rendered to the Government and
the Union, in putting down fearful rebellion and
. ovcrthrowing an institution which occasioned il,
the people will 60 far and do much to sustain aud
perpetuate Republican rule. Public confidence in
the meantime must not be too severely tried, or
too heavily taxed. Men are fallibie, and may, as