American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-12-06
Curious Political indications.

OF sticking Itself In matters tn"'
don't concern it, has encountered a
thump, has smiled breeze, where
it least expected either thump or
a breeze. The truly Good thought
he had Grant all to himself, ana lie
meant to have a high old time OF
il. But it appears that there are
barbarians in the South who pro
pose to contest his exclusive posses
sion, and lie starts back aghast at
their audacity. An empire dnder
Republican auspices is all right, ac-
cording to the DeacOns philosophy.
But an empire under rebel auspices
is not to he endured. Now, We on
our part believe in seeing things as
they are aud calling them by their
proper names. A third term Is
substantially an empire; and, OBJ
iecting both to third terms and to
empires, our notion is that, II they
are to be thrust upon us, It would
not be a bad idea for the South to
give the North its belly-full OF the
dish it has itself provided,
1t should be borne in mind, how
ever, that suggestions touching the
nomination and election OF tue next
President of the United States are
purely speculative. At this mo,
meut very little can be predicted
with assurance. Anything may
happen between the meeting Oh
Con gress and the convention sea
son, and, among other possloilities
som ething which may wholly AFTER
1.-THE situation. We are obviously
passing through a period OF Weiss
s;tude mistiness prevails; the pro =
montories OF the political landscape
are hid from view there is around
MS and about us an intellectual dead
level. Out of the dreary waste OF
commonplace two or three things
only are determinable that Ten.
Grant desires the Republic IAN noml-
nation, and will be pressed for 1t at
the proper time, is one OF these !;
and that there will he a movement
among class of Southern Demo
Gratis in his behalf is another.
1t is perhaps not dangerous Sfsk
to hazard the opinion that Gen.
Grant will be the Republican noml>
nee. And, if he is, there Is not the
smallest doubt that he can only he
elected by Southern votes. Inc
gieat bodyIof the foreign vote OF the
North will he thrown against him.
He will not be sure even of such
States as Ohio, Wisconsin. Maine.
Massachusetts aud New Hamp
shire. But there are half a dozen
Southern States where, unless the
Bourbon leaders can have their own
way in making a Democratic nomi-
nee, he will stand at least white
mans chance. In a word, II Gen.
Grant is the next President of the
United States the South will elect
him, and, once seated, he Will be
there to stay, and the adventurous
spirits who gather about hlm will
be prepared to support him with
arms and to crush out such recall
citrants as may get in the way.
Thoughtful Democrats and Repubil-
cans may as we'll consider the dan
ger. 1t Is real, and he who puts it
from him as an absurdity sees only
the outer side of public affairs.
The Cincinnati Gazette assumes,
because the Courier-JOurnal has
spuken with its wOnted freedom,
that it favors what it merely elucl-
dates. There was never a greater
mistake. We have spoken warn
ingly, not approvingly. Democrat
ic blunderings and discussions, and
the reverses incident thereto, have
broken into the solidarity of the
Solid South and disturbed the sure
tenure of the Democratic party in
several of the Southern States.
This is fact. And it is further
true that, when dissatisfied South
ern Democrats quit the Democratic
party to seek their fortunes else>
where, they have nowhere to 60 ex-
cept to Graut. On this point the
Brooklyn Eagle, always thoughtful
hand intelligent, presents the case
with great clearness and perfect ac-
eupacy:
sPope's couplet, For forms of
government let fools contest, that
which is best administered is best
is undoubtedly sIphistical but it is
not to be denied that under the best
forms very bad results may be
worked out, while by distasteful
methods some substantial good may
be done. The intensest devotee of
Democratic principles will admit
that if the republics of Hayti and
Central America could secure
peace and justic by a return to roy
atty, they would he amply warrants
ed in ceasing their efforts to apply
theories of administration which
have until now been prolific of only
disorder, dishonOr and bloodshed.
The flual test which common-sense
minds apply to all devices for the
regulation Of society, lies in the Ell
feet of them on the material inter>
ests and the intellectual activities
of the people. Whatever govern
ment fails, after reasonable trial,
to advance industry, uphold COM
mon rights and secure harmonious
relations between all the important
elements of the population subject
to its influence, stands condemned.
No reason can be advanced for
maintaining political ordinances
which, however lovely when regard
ed as distractions, issue I'm practical
evil. This, it is manifest, is the
line of thought along which a great
many minds i'm the Southern States
have advanced to the present will