The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-02-01
LET US HAVE PEACE"

President Grant at time when the
country tired and exhausted from
intense excitement and suffering, de-
sired above everything else, peace
and repose, met with n sympathetic
response on the part of the people
throughout the length and breadth
Of the land, and had much to do with
placing the author of them in the
Presidential chair But in the light
of the history of the past few years,
what a hollow mockery these words
seem. From the day of Grants first
Inauguration to the present time,
what kind of a peace has he given to
the country? There has been no
time or season when to accomplish
his own or his party's aggrandize-
ment he vas not willing to trample
under foot all restraints of law, and.
if to accomplish his purpose, the
military aim of the government was
needed, he eve for a moment hest
tated to call it to his or his party's
assistance. In consequence of this
disregard of those restraints which
the Constitution has thrown around
the Chief Executive of the nation
for the protection of the people, the
country has been in a constant state
of feverish excitement and unrest,
at once detrimental if not disastrous
to its peace and future prosperity,
In view thec, not only of recent
events sufficient in themselves to
convict him CT on open and violent
disregard of official obligation, but
of his whole administration, wha. 8
sham and cheat, what a contempt.
BILE deception and mockery practiced
upon a confiding people, does this
now famous declaration appear-"lei
us have peace" When the country
was startled at the first intimations
of the tremendous frauds practiced
upon the revenues of the country by
the whisky thieves, and when Con.
gress traced these frauds and corrupt
practices to the very doors of the
White House, duplicating even some
of the Presidents most confidential
friends and advisers, the country
was again assured and encouraged to
believe that these guilty officials ard
defrauders of the government would
be brought to speedy justice by
another declaration of Grants al.
most as famous as the first-"let nc
guilty man escape" But when the
strong arm of the law takes hold Of
these bold and desperate defrauders
of the revenues Of the government,
every a%rtiice and device possible
was brought to bear in favor of the
criminals, many Of these influences
emanating from the White House
itself, and with the knowledge and
approval of Grant; and when, after
a fair and impartial trial these thieves
and conspirators were convicted, the
officers of the law who, taking the
President at his word, labored faith
fully and conscientiously to bring
the guilty parties to justice, 7 dis
missed from further service and 9th
ers, who understand their master
better, installed in their places; no
only this, but these thieves and rob
bers, convicted at an expense O
thousands of dollars to tie country
are now, since the election is over
by pardon of Grant, set at liberty
their fines removed, and they allow
ed to go their own way in the enjoy
ment of their ill-gotten wealth--is
their man living who, in the light
which the past few months throws
upon these matters, a believe thai
the President desired the punish
ment of these men when he said, "ler
no guilty man escape"