Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-07
REPUBLICAN CAUCUS !
The Ex-President.

lk6Ty duu civil sCifISCs III ~ N'S
country, President Grant retres to private
life. In this long term of most eventful
years to the land, he has made his record.
His life is entwined with the history of his
country for that time. As regards his
military service there is but one opinion
his genius brought our great civil war to
a close. He came from the conflict idol
lied by the people, as no one but Wash
ington ever had been before. The people
showed their gratitude and confidence in
him by bestowing upon him the highest
gin in their power. and as the Presiden-
tial candidate of the republican party he
received the electoral votes of all the
States but seven. At his second election
the propular majority OF four years ago
was more than doubled. thus showing the
estimation in which he was still held by
the people.
President Grant entered upon the du-
ties Of his position at a most critical Pc
riod in our affairs; when. as a result of
the war. there were many difficult prob
lens requiring settlement. The Southern
States were to be reconstructed, the cur
reney restored to a specie basis, and the
honor Of the land upheld abroad. Such
were some of fhe questions which the
President. who had never had experience
In civil administration, was forced to deal
with. There have been defects in his adj
minlstration, and his policy has not always
been the wisest and broadcast. Bad adj
visers have sometimes Influenced him to a
wrong course. as seen bat recently in
making changes in Office in New York
city, instead of leaving President Hayes
the privilege of making his own appoint
ments. Though there have been defects
In his administration, yet he seems to have
been guided by the most sincere and pat
riotic motives. His mistakes have result
ed from inexperience, from honest errors
of judgment or from the influence of bad
advisers, whom he confided in.
General Grant has not been fortunate
in his cabinet. 1t has been remarkable
for its changes, there having been twenty
five in all. While his term has been made
brilliant and successful by some able and
statesmanlike cabinet advisers, on the 9TH
er hand there have been some men in the
cabinet whose presence has greatly weak
ened his administration.
or necessity the Presidents attention
has been much occupied with the Southern
question. 1t was difficult problem to
deal with, but he has attended to il in the
spirit expressed in his inaugural address,
that the question should be approached
calmly, without prejudice, hate or Sec
tional pride, and under this idea there
seems 10 have been steady improvement
In the condition Of the South. His policy
has been TO protect the freedmen in the
exercise OF their rights. and in accordance
with this sentiment he has been prompt to
interfere with federal power whenever
the lives and rights of the blacks and loyal
whites have been endangered. He has
been much censured for his course in re-
lation to the affairs of Louisiana, but here
and 10 other cases he has been guided by
what be conceived TO be the law and in
accordance with the directions furnished
BY Congress.
1t was in accordance with the recon-
mendation Of Gen. Grant that Congress
removed from all the late confederates,
with few exceptions, the disabilities i'm
posed by the fourteenth amendment. He
also in later messages called upon Con-
gress TO declare general amnesty to the
South.
The financial policy of President Grant
has been careful. Our credit has been
maintained abroad. and our progress
toward a healthy financial condition is
shown by the reduction OF the gold pre- mi
um from "a per cent. to less than five per
cent. 1t was grand sight to see this ma
ton settle quietly down to the task of paw.
Ing Its enormous war debt. But the re-
duetion has gone silently fol ward, and
during the past eight years has been re-
duced four hundred and thirty-four mil
lions.
In the fall OF 1873 the great financial
panic assailed our land Banks were
closed and business was paralyzed. Great
efforts were made to have the President
issue a portion of the reserved greenbacks.
Thinking it might relieve the country in
its extremity he did so. But this act has
been considered ill-advised, and question
able as to its permanent effect on the panic.
But 10 1874 he gained the heartfelt APP
plause Of the people. when he vetoed the
Imitation bill. which proposed the issue of
additional bank circulation. This act
gave the death blow to imitation for one
while at least.
In every message be has continued to
advocate the adoption of measures look
ing to the placing Of the currency of the
country on the specie basis. And, when
the act was passed providing for the re-