The New York herald., 1876-12-01


policy that he brought defeat and almost
destruction upon himself. BY General
Grants course he has carried the country.
The belief which the anti-slavery fame OF
Greeley, Chase, Sumner and others could
not destroy-that the overthrow OF
vive the rebellion-gave the President
his extraordinary success in the last
canvass. 1t was seen that he held the
country as it never had been held by Jeffer-
son, jackson or Lincoln-by any one, in
fact, since Washington. Mistakes in ad-
ministration, indiscretions in policy, scan
dals in appointments and DEGREES, blunders
and misapprehensions that would have seri-
ously weakened any President have been
forgiven, because the country feels that
Grant is the legitimate successor Of Lincoln
and means, in honesty and good faith. to
carry out his governing ideas
From these historical deductions 1t is, we
think, safe to assume as cardinal principle
underlying all political combinations and
speculations that the present political era
is under the control of General Grant He
is as completely master of his party as jack
son or Jefferson were masters Of their party,
while republicanism is even more demo-
cratic than democracy in its palmiest days.
He can name his successor, unless he makes
up his mind to destroy his party. and we
question il the act of political suicide
would not be beyond tho resources of his
craftsmanship. 1t is probable that this
apparent immutability leads to tho sugges-
ton, now taking life, that he shall be again
candidate for the Presidency. Great as
General Grant has shown himself TO be, and
powerful MS his party is undoubtedly. the
suggestion seriously accepted on bis part
would be virtually to leap from the Tar
pean Rock and leave name in history to
be rendered with the names of Burr
and Arnold. We do not say this
as criticism or assault upon Gem
and kindness. But his election for
third term would be to certify to the world
that republican institutions had failed in
America. Whenever any man, however
eminent or patriotic or gifted, becomes nee
essary to our government, then are we no
longer capable Of self-government The
time is coming when we must consider
gravely this whole question of the Presiden-
tial Office The attributes Of the Office, its
prerogatives and possibilities, its ever in
creasing power and splendor, the yearning
of cultivated and wealthy society for court
honors and the attractions of court life,
the desire of those in office to retain power
and rewafd--the question, in fact, whether
strong Executive does not weaken the Re
public-must in time become the most
important in our politics. The renomina-
ton of General Grant would precipitate its
consideration. We should have o canvass
of unexampled bitterness If he were de-
feated his illustrious name would be stained
If he should be elected then our Republic
would be as grievously wounded as when a
mitted an imperutor to assume continuous
power in the person of Augustus Caesar.
" Iether Cmsarism is to be the next issue
or not is serious question. Much rather
would we put it aside as an impossible
episode. But, as it is, we are in o new era
Old issues are settled old parties have dis
solved. Even the famous men Of the last
political generation have gone to rest, their
work being done. The great men of the
Lincoln period-where are they? Lincoln,
Seward, Stanton, Chase, Meade, Thomas,
Farragut, Lee-they have gone to sleep with
the fathers of the Republic and new
men reign in their stead. OF the
renowned Cabinet that decreed eman-
cipation but two remain. But two
remain, and only ten short years have
passed So swiftly do events sweep
into history, leaving new and grave duties
to We who remain. To US they are as
momentous as any that have gone before.
History is repeating itself in our politics;
we are in an era of change, like what we
saw under Washington, Jefferson and Jack
son, and if this question of Ciesarism con-
tinues to assume menacing aspect we shall
have an issue more difficult to decide and
more essential in its proper determination
to the national liberties than any that has
gone before.
"When zee see tohat zoe see in France and Spain
and Italy il is toeH TO pause and apply to our oacs
conditions of nnfionol Efc The s,roblrns there coal