Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-05-14

ern ltepubllcarS, anu thai he WOulu mus III,
to a grea,er extent than some others could
be, a National President rather than the
mere head of a party. But at any rate his
views, as those of an intelligent Southerner,
are interesting Ills letter is also noticeable
for its distinct rcbukc to the revengcful
spirit and policy at the South which found
expression in the ku-klux atrocities, and for
its advice to the men of the South TO forget
the past and look to the present and the
future. We copy the larger portion of the
letter:
Hose KONG, China, March 20, 1880.
DEAR SIR Il have read with interest your
last letter, in which You discuss the pros
poets for the next Presidency Nothing
could lie more absurd than the objections
urged by the third-term alarmistsagainst the
election of Gen Grant, who affect to see in
it the spectre of monarchy; such persons,
as Dr. johnson said Of the no-Popcry men of
his day, would have cried fire in the midst OF
the flood. There is really no sincerity IN
their clamor. The same men had the same
visions when he was a candidate both for the
II
dictcd that if he once got into the White
House he would never come out alive. But
time has demonstrated bow much reliance
can be put in such prophets Their favoritc
argument is the example of Washington in
retiring at the close of his second term.
This is appealed to as proof OF his opinion
against the election of man three times TO
the Presidency. In applying a precedent
YOU must always first ascertain the reasons
on which il is founded. Now, if any one
will show me when or where Washington
ever said or did anything inconsistent with
the principle involved in such an election,
then will admit that we have the authority
of Washington against it. He gave his rca-
sons for retiring in his farewell address, and
at the same time some advice about cherish
ing the Union Ia which another generation
paid very little respect. Washington says
he declined reelection for purely personal
reasons. But if the example of Washington
is TO he sort of bed of Procr,istes, and fur
nish for us a standard of conduct in every
thing, then no one ought now TO ride on 4
railroad or take dose of chloroform, be-
cause Washington never did it; and
as he wore his hair powdered, with
short breechcs, long stockings and
knee buckles, it might as well be
insisted that We ought TO do the same. The
Chinese, who do everything now just AS il
was done in the days of Confucius, can fur
nish the opponents of Gen. Grants election
with n full assortment of arguments against
it, Mr. Jefferson was in Paris when the
constitution was adopted and wrote many
letters predicting its failure, because the
President being eligible 10 reelection would
use the power and patronage OF his office in
definitely To re-elect himself. He said the
President of the United States would only be
a new edition of Polish king but time has
falsified all of Jetfcrson's predictions, who
not only accepted "A second term, but declar-
ed his willingness TO accept Il third. The fact
is that no men ever lived who had less rever-
ence for antiquity than the founders of our
Government. Their chief title to the ad-
miralion and gratitude of mankind is due 10
the fact that they were not blind followers of
tradition and precedent.
Those who imagine they see the phantom
of imperialism in the election of Gen. Grant,
are fond of impuiing to him the ambition OF
Caesar | confess that can see nothing in
common in the character or the action OF the
man who laid down the power Of his high
office in obedience TO law. and that Of the
great pro Consul Of Ganl, when he crossed
the Rubicon and marched on Rome. A com.
parison suggests more OF contrast than re-
semblancc Caesar was elevated on the
shields of the lcgions, Grant disbanded his
soldiers and sen; them to their homes.
But it is said that the Republican Convcn,
ton of 1876 declared against third term
the point of the resolutions was against The
longer duration of power in one mans hands
than eight successive years the reason was
the fear that President might use the power
and patronage Of his office to re elect himself.
Now General Grant is the only one spoken
of in connection with the nomination against
whom no objection can be urged on this
ground The influence of patronage instead
of being in his favor is against him. For
years he has been a traveller in foreign lands,
without official rank, and mixed up with
none of the intrigues for the Office. | cannot
see how We would violate Republican tradi-
ton in eecting him any more than any other
private citizen, whilst believe that his eN-
pericnce both at home and abroad, would
make him far better President than he was
before. | cannot see how he would have
any more power simply because he had once
been President, TO overthrow the institutions
of the country, even if he desired it. But il
is urged that the South suffered much from
misgovernmcnt during his administration
81 il did, and also from yellow fever, and
Gen. Grant is no more responsible personally
for one than the other Much was the ma
tural and inevitable consequence OF war and
conquest We had played for great stake
and lost it, Much was due 10 the bitter
memories of slavery and the fierce passions
il engendred, and last but not least, TO the
Satanic policy that the South WAS led Ia
adopt, which, if not victory, is yet re-
vcnge' But these evil days have passed
away, hope, forever, and men have grown
wiser as their passions have become cooler.
If elected, General Grant would now
have the benefit of the counscls of the best
men of the South 10 direct him he would
certainly he rid of the influence of those
whose interest it was TO lead him the wrong
way. In judging Gen. Grant We must al
ways bear in mind the condition of the South
as h., fouad ii, and what it was when he
turned ii over To the control OF his successor.
know il will be said he sustained the car
pet-bag governments 50 he did, and while
il is true they were bad governments, they
were none the less the lawful governments
of the States AS President he had nothing
to do with determining whether they were
good or bad. The Southern people had act
the advantage Of having the law on their
side. Gen. Grant simply took the side of
the law lie did not send troops 10 South
Carolina and Louisiana on the rcquisition of
of their Governors, when they were in a state
of chaos and revolution, nor for the purpose
OF setting up or pulling down any faction,
but 10 save society from dissolution and
anarchy. II they had been sent there in the
interests of any party they would have es-
tablished it in power. President Hayes jus
titled his recognition of the Hampton and
Nichols governments on the ground that he
found them in actual possession of the gov
ernmcnts of their States. If Gen. Grant had
desired he certainly could have prevented
this. Nirginians have gloriiicd President
Hayes for taking Gen. Grants advice and
Withdrawing the troops from those States
when the reasons for keeping them there no
longer existed, but have forgotten that Gen.
Grant withdrew them from their own soil.
| hope that in the next election Nirginians
will remember this, and also that peace can
not be restored between sections rs long rs
they beat the Confederate war drums
the South. | said this four years
ngo, and my words are now prophecy iul-
filled | feel II just pride in their
glory, am rs Jealous of the military honor OF
the Southern people rs any man on their
side. A generous foe would not ASK To de
prive rs of ii know that Gen. Grant would
not But do say that these sentiments are
not the proper element to control our polili-
cal conduct, which must be shaped with re
ference 10 the present and the future, and
not TO the past can see no reason why
the men who stood together in war should
not he united in peace, or why those once OPP
posed in arms should not now march all one
way. A great many forget that we are going
to elect President Of the United States and
not Of the Southern Confcdcracy.
Very truly yours,
JoHN ). MosgY.
Marx Twain, when giving advice upon
agricultural subjects, wrote that 1.-THE pump
kin does not make Il good shade tree But
il Innu ia, India M.ny of th.. mind hnuspl