Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-01-23
GRANT, NOT AN ABSOLUTE
NECESSITY.

city and intelligence for all its re-
quirements, and that they are very
widely distributed and not con-
fined TO one person. Our govern
ment being dependent, should of
course recognize and do honor to
all those who have rendered it dis
tinguished services. In the person
Of General Grant, it has met with all
the demands of gratitude. 1t has
conferred upon him all the honors it
possesses. No effect can be given to
heighten the brilliancy of the distin-
guiShed Generals career. His tri-
umphal tour around the world has
done our country great credit; for
the attentions which have been paid
to him, have been bestowed upon
him as the representative of the great
Republic. In all this we join with
gladness. In common with the peo-
pie OF our country we look upon the
attention he has attracted to it with
glad satisfaction. We are happy
that the young Republic has pro
duced the greatest General of the
age. But must lie necessarily be
again placed in the presidential chair?
If he is the fittest man for the coun-
try, he ought to be. 1t will be no
benefit to him and may prove Diet
rimcnt to his popularity. He has
nothing to gain by reelection, but
the risk Of losing all. He ought to
assume that risk chcerfully if the
good Of the country demands it, 1t
ought not to be imposed upon him if
the country possess other men OF
equal efficiency i'll that position. His
reputation as military man is Sc
cure his patriotism is Of such
nature that his military genius would
be ever at the command Of the gov
crnment should it require it. That
he is superior in craftsmanship to
many others in the country, no one
prctends. That he would solve po-
litical problems better than such men
as our Senator Edmunds, no one will
assert. Then why will he make so
much better a president as to render
his election an absolute necessity ?
IL ,z,aa-tha- man fnn. fhn limos III
which he was so successful, but it
does not necessarily follow that he
is the best man for all times and I'M
der all circumstances that the coun-
try can produce or, so much better
as to render his election to the ex-
clusion of all others an absolute ne
cessity. Presidents should be select
cd with reference to their capacity
and adaptation to the exigencies that
would probably be upon them while
they hold office. Now to assume
that any one man is to be President,
and base that assumption upon
wave Of military enthusiasm, or the
interviews had with leading politi-
clans before candid examination of
the nature Of the probable duties he
would have to perform, or circum-
stances under which he may be placed
and without consulting the people at
large, may be very much different
from the position which examination
and investigation may finally develop
and recommend.
With problems like those occurring
in Maine, it is barely possible that
somewhere during the next president
ial term, the good sound Judgment,
extensive legal ability and experience
and practical capacity Of some such
man as Senator Edmupds to quickly
solve them, OF at least to speedily
mature a wise plan Of action, may
become as absolutely necessary as the
genufections Of great people to a
military leader in a time Of wild en-
thusiasm are now 50 gratifying
while at the same time ample oppor-
tunity might be given the distin-
guished General for the exercise Of
his peculiar genius. Thus would the
genius of various men be utilized
where it could be most advantage
ously exercised.
Now we mean to express no oppo-
sition to Grant, for he has been too
often tried and never failed to meet
the utmost expectations Of the
country but simply the opinion that
bis fitness for the Office should be as
carefully examined as that Of any
other mans and that he should be
nominated in a convention called for
that purpose, acting under authority
from the people at large, with their
suggestions and instructions, and not
amidst the enthusiasm of q train COM