National Republican., 1879-11-21
THAT IMPERIAL TEMPTATION.

Inc hlcnmOnu Stdte anu Other Journals OF
its ilk are wild with the idea that General
GRANT should take the Presidency OF the
Nicaragua Canal Company, "and thus
carry cut the manifest destiny of the
" "AnglO-Saxon race on this continent by es-
tablishing an empire of English-speaking
people in the very centre of the Spanish
American republics with view to their
ultimate suljugation to it," The idea of
an empire on this continent is very grateful
to the sense of those who have made a fu-
tile'attempt to destroy the Union of States
and the Republic of our fathers, and hence
comes the suggestion. But the proposition
will not bear fruit. The canal may be con-
structed and made an avenue of commerce
rich in results. The manifest destiny of
this Republic may spread its power so as to
cover every foot of soil that is called the
Western hemisphere-as many wise men
insist that it ultimately will-but it will
never under the guiding will of General
GRANT, whether he be President of a canal
company or of the United States, become
anything but a great and powerful Repub-
lie where the Old Flag will wave as the
emblem of its glory over every inch of soil
that stretches from the frozen zone to its
terminus at Cape Horn.
The State, after mature study, has come to
the deliberate conclusion that it has discov-
cred the keynote of General GRANTS fu-
ture usefulness and greatness. 1t is to be-
come tho instrument of founding central
empire upon this continent, having it's nu-
| cleus where the almost eifete governments
of Central America are struggling for pre-
carious existence, The thought is grand
one, and worthy of its origin. Such con-
ceit must tickle the fancy of those who
have ceased TO love and respect Republic
that they failed to overthrow, and who are
looking for an empire that shall sooner or
later be builded upon its ruins. Such a
project is meat for all such people, and
hence they cling to it with tenacious grasp.
But they will lose their grip upon this pro-
ject as they did as to the rebellion. The
logic of events will overthrow all such
| fantasies.
These advocates of q central empire with
GRANT at its head, even go so far as to sub.
ject him TO the great temptation that is
concealed in the flattering assurance that
there is mo greater service he could per-
form for the world which SO greatly ad-
"mlres him, and for his country, to which
"he owes so much, than by repaying them
"in this way, and therefore we wait
anxiously and hopefully for the quick
coming of the day when we may hail him
as the leading spirit in this stupendous
Nicaraguan project"
1t is perhaps cruel to blast hopes so re.
Gently born and so zealously nursed By
these new converts to General GRANT's
greatness and worth, but we apprehend that
they must come TO grief for whether hC
may build a channel for commerce, or hole
the helm Of the ship Of State, the star OF
empire will guide him only to increasing
/ the stars that illumine the flag of saved
Republic, whose destiny is now but in it,
twilight of early sunrise It's MONDAY i.
yet to come, and he who fancies that Gen
eral GRANT can be Aatterod into the idei
that the worlds future admiration of hin
is to be enhanced by linking his name with
an empire, takes but a poor measure of his
love of country and his devotion to Repub.
lican institutions.