The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-02-03

Of ST 900 yearly for Gen. Grant, is
denounced BY the Democratic press of
both sections with the same unanimity
that it is opposed by the Democratic
members of Congress. The more 1t Is
discussed, the more Objectionable 1t
becomes in the estimation of the pub
lie. No plausible, much less sensible
reason, has been assigned for an innova-
ton SO extraordinary. We say extraor-
binary, because it proposes to do more
for Grant than has ever been done for
any other military chieftain, or Presi-
dent; not even Washington, who was
first in war, first in peace, and first IN
the hearts of his cOuntrymen.
What makes this departure worse,
is that there is nothing in the pc
cuniary condition, or circumstances of
Gen. Grant to justify, much less excuse
it. He has an income on which he lives
in princely style in New York, and it
is announced, has just been made the
recipient of 500, 900 in cash.
But the custom which is proposed to
engraft upon our plain republican sys-
tenn of bull ding up privileged order in
imitation of the royal governments Of
Europe, is worse than creating a sine
cure for the benefit of a partizan favor
lite.
1t is claimed that the since ure is to
be created "as a recognitio II of his emf
nent services" For the Sc, he has been
twice elected President of the United
States, the greater part of the time, at
a salary of $4,000 per annum, which
is double the compensation any his
predecessors received.
1t is alleged that the people did not
give him an opportunity of retiring.
They certainly gave him the opportunity
of filling the highest place in the army,
and created it for him-but he volun-
tarily left it to take higher one, the
Presidency, and for eight years enjoyed
its honors and princely emoluments.
The bill bears a fraud on its face in
that it implies that he is in thearmy(e else
he could not be ''retired'') when in fact
he resigned to accept a better position.
| Judging from the past the bill would
not even have the effect of bribing Gen.
Grant not to aspire to third term.
Its special champion, Senator Logan, is
narrow minded Radical partizan and
| third termer. The measure would have
no more restraining influence than a
rope of san d, if the Republican leaders
should think that Gen. Grants pres
tige would abet their DIES ign to hold the
government for an indeini tie period.
In the sublime picture which the
advocates of the bill have painted of U.
| s. Grant, we are so Obtuse as not recog
nize the fe atures of the man who having
| filled the highest office in the govern
ment, hippodromed with Conkling in
the Garfield campaign, and for political
advantage bore false witness against
the people of the South, and who de-
seconded into the very sewers of partizan
filth to belittle and defame Gen. Han
cock, man whose record as gentle
man and soldier is absolutely stainless
We have not seen the objections pre-
scented anywhere with more point, than
by the Meridian Mercury, which says :
If ex-Presdents should be pensioned of,
we cannot see any reason for not pension
ing OH cabinet officers, Senators. Congre
men, ministers to foreign nations, and ex-
| Governors, in other words for not adopting
the pension system of England. The pre-
cedent is bad one TO set and will open a
door to a general system of pensionng off
! Federal officers, alike corrupt and oppres-
! slve. 1t will be a crevasse in the embank-
ment thrown up by our ancestors, that
cannot be closed up. Gen. Grant is not
pOor-we saw a statement some time ago,
that he now worth 100000, much
more than any of his predecessors ever
possessed. Since 1860, it is likely Gen
Grant has received 100000 from the Uni
ted States, not to speak of the presents
made to him. If he cannot live off of the
income arising from 100000, we are for
letting him do as the masses do-earn his
living, and not for panderng to his regal
tastes and habits. Snobbishness is ants
Republican.