The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-11-29
from yesterdays New York Herald.I
President Grants Responsibility I'm
this CRISIS.

-
this Crisis.
We do not know that President Grant has
done anything blameworthy, and are sure
that he has done nothing Illegal IN oruei Ing
troops to such stations IN South Carollna us
will make them readily available In an emer-
gency which would justify their employ
ment. As commander-ln-chlefh ne mas I'M
questionable authority to regulate the as
tribution OF the Federal forces. lie cannon
carry them beyond our frontiers except IN
foreign war. and rs they must be posted
somewhere within our own country ne Is Tree
to select the places. No State has any rlSnt
to complain OF their presence, TO ob1ect 10
their transit through its territory, nor 10
their remaining in any part OF II, SO long as
thew are not used for purposes OF illegal in
| reference with its affairs. We have there
fore declined to join in party outcries
against his local disposition Of the troops, or
his accumulation OF them in unusual num-
bers at any particular point. So far and so
long as the President acts within the limits
OF his clear constitutional authority we
have no word OF censure to utter. We shall
not, in any event, indulge in captious criti-
cism. We mean to Judge him fairly, to sup
port him when we can, and blame him only
when we must.
The difficult and trying crisis which has
arisen in South Carolina causes great sollci-
tude, attended with some anxiety as to the
action Of the President. We sincerely trust
that he will not make his course in Louis
lana in January, 1875, precedent on this
occasion. Tt is not improbable that con-
dition OF things may exist ut Columbia to-
day or tomorrow similar to that in New
Orleans when the Louisiana Legislature
was dispersed by Federal soldiers at the
point of the bayonct. The South Carolina
Legislature assemblies to-day, both par
tics claiming majority, as they did
in Louisiana two years ago. The
Democratic members whose election the
Canyassing Board refused to certify will
nevertheless claim their seats, presenting a
transcript OF the proceedings OF the SUI
preme Court rs credentials, and maintain
ing that in the Judgment of the Court they
were duly elected and cheated out OF their
certificates b. the contempt Of Court, for
which the members OF the Board have been
fined and imprisoned. II they should take
part in the organization there will be Il
Democratic majority, and General Hampton
be declared Governor, against the protests
OF the Republican members, who will
claim that only those holt(in" certiti-
Gates have any title to take part in the pro-
ceedings. This will be substantially the
Louisiana case over again, but we trust the
parallel will not be completed by the intro
duction OF Federal troops into the halls OF
legislation to drive out the members. The
prompt and indignant public rebuke with
which that act of military violence was
visited and its severe condemnation by emf
nent Republicans like Nlr. Evarts, Mr..
pth 1rS sbprli la u l.lJ
ton to the President not to make the same
mistake again. The Republicans who pub
liclv denounced that bold act as danger
Gus violation of the Constitution and an
alarming blow to popular liberty will not
think differently OF such an act now from
what they thought then. Although thes
same gentlemen voted for Hayes they viii
revolt against any attempt to make him
President in violation Of law. II the strong
opinions expressed by Mr.. .Eyarts respect
ing the dispersion Of the Louisiana Legis-
Iattlre were correct they would have iusti-
fled an Impeachment OF the President. He
was safe against such q proceeding then by
the fact OF a large Republican majority i'll
that Congress. but q Democratic House OF
REPRESENTATIVES will be in session in less
than a week, and repetition of the same
military violence will not be sllrred over
and excused as it was before.
The Republican party cannot afford to
have the President provoke in this crisis
another outburst OF public indignation like
that which followed the high-handed pro-
ceedings in Louisiana. President Grant
cannot afford to disgust and ALLEVIATE 4 large
section Of the Republican party, including
its ablcSt lawyers, by acts which would in
cvitably lead to his Impeachment. The
House OF Representatives have both the
power and the will to impeach him il he
should prostitute his authority over the
army to aid the dishonest election OF his
successor, and set up a President at Wash
ington as he set up Governor ut New Or
leans. The best legal minds in the Republic
can party would not undertake his defence
in his trial on the impeachment, being pre-
Guided by their vigorous dcnunciation OF 4
former act OF the same kind and by the
strong reasons they then gave from arguing
the opposite side. President Grant cannot
wish 10 court an impeachment when lie is
about closing his long career OF distinguish
ed and, in the military part OF it, at least
glorious public service. He should natu-
rally wish to retire with the goodwill OF
his fellow-citiZens OF both parties, and the
unanimous admiration OF Republicans. But
il he should repeat the Louisiana mistake
and be impeachcd in consequence he
will be Fcxposcd 80 greater rancor
and obloquy than during any part OF
his political career, and the passions kindled
during the impeachment would follow him
INTO private life. -tsSuredly President
Grant would prefer to retire from the stage
with the plaudits OF the country to which
be has rendered so many brilliant services.
AsSuTedly he cannot wish TO have it re-
corded in the pages Of history that he was
impeached in the closing months OF his adj
ministration, and that eminent iurists or
his own party thought the impeachment not
undcserved, as they are certain to do should
he repeat the Louisiana blunder. ..
We do not question at all the uprishtness
OF President Grants intentions, and we
haze always been disposed to make allow
ance for his military education and his bias
for military methods. We also make allow
ancc for the influence OF bad advisers.
When he committed the Louisiana mistake,
and Secretary Belknap-since impeached
and Acknowledgements to General
Sheridan that call Of u.s." meaning the
whole Cabinet, approved what had been
done. Secretary Fish and other members de-
MED all knowledge and disclaimed all re-
sponsiblity. He must not again act in so
grave matter without the sanction OF that
part Of his Cabinet in whose Judgment and
discretion the country has most confidence.
IL he takes no steps OF which Secretary Fish
is unwilling to share the responsibility, and
which Mr.. Evarts, the foremost Republican
lawyer. is not willing to defend, he will be
On safe ground, and may defy the carping
criticism OF mere politicians. But ii he sur
renders himself into the hands OF Chandler