Year: 1868

From the New York Tribune. Aug. IL. 1871


The Tribune ON Grant.


How happens it that every renegade
from Radicalism is so vcciferous for
Grant2 What is the "mystic tie that
binds" our Weeds and Benefits, oar
6acksliders from everything Republican
but the Loa0es and fishes, in such loving
accord that Grant is our only man for
President2 Isnot here inticement to re-
Election? s4isla


IFrom the Tribune. August IS, 1871


= Here are certain statements
of facts which we challenge in the kind
est spirit: 5bs ~ -'.


1. When has General Grant ever de-
parted from what is called "his habitual
reticence" to sustain Congress, or in any
way criticise the PRESIDENT


2. When the President began his at
tack upon the policy of Congress, did he
not send Grant down South to make re-
port which could neutralize the effect of
the exhaustive and able report of Gen.
Schenck2 Why was not the report of
Gen. Grant effectively used against the
policy of Congress? sa=l


3. Did not President johnson state in
a letter recently printed in these col
umns, and written to a trustworthy gem
tlemen, that he had never doubted that
General Grant was supporter of his
policy?


4. In the very crisis of the Presiden-
tial struggle with Congress did not
Grant accompany the President on his
electioneering trip? Some of his apol-
ogists have said whisperingly he did it
by official command. Has any one ever
seen the order2 If the order compelled
him to make the trip, did it also compel
him to visit the White House and stand
at the side of the President while he
cried over the Philadelphia Convention?


And now when Mr.. Stanton, rightly
constituting a law of Congress to mean
that his Office is not in the hands of the
President, distinctly states that he will
make an issue with the President and fall
back npon Congress, we do see General
Grant slip in, 'accept" the Office, and by
this acceptance" so completely disarm
Stanton that he retires? Does not every
reasonable person know that had Gen.
Grant declined the appointment-which,
being civil Office, he had right to
decline-the President would not have
succeeded in removing the War Secreta-
ry2 Is it not well understood that Gen.
Grant is keeping warm the place until
some conservative is found to take it
We do most decidedly object to the at
of az IN MI h1a,
eraL Grant, a Radical, Dhen there IS no
aoriaen or spoken aoord that zoe hare euer
seen or heard to Justify the assertion, and
while all his acts and those of his loud
est friends lead to the contrary inference.
" The World writes long
article to show that in entering the War
Office, Grant "acted of his own free
choice, and was not coereed by the COM
pulsive stringency of military disci-
pline.' Grant himself notified Stanton
of his acceptance" The word is plain
enough to all men. We sustain
no man whose record is not as clear as
the sun. We follow no leader who does
not tell us which way he intends to
travel. Above all things we have as a
party been too terribly juggled to run
the risk again. Therefore we challenge
the statement of the Times that Grant
supports Congress, and demand the evil
dence. 1


From the Tribune, August Is. 1851


Gen. Grant took his "pop-
ular influence" "over to the side of the
administration" last summer when our
worthy President paraded over the
country abusing Congress. But we had
no difficulty in beating the administra-
ton popular influence" and all. We
admit that this new deed of the Presi-
dent loses much of its unpopularity by
the fact that General Grant is the instru-
ment of its accomplishment. We know
that but for the influence of Grant, the
President to-day would be powerless for
evil, and that he would not have dared
to put his finger upon Mr.. Stanton.
Gran. OH the side ''of the administration"
is strong opponent. We are sorry to
find him there. But it is well that his
friends are frank about it that we may
know whittier we are steering.


[From the Tribune. August II, 1871


$50 People tell us with the mutter-
ings that Grant is sagacious, that he
bides his time, that the politicians will
not trap him, that he will run uncom-
mitted, that if he takes the Presidential
office he will do as he deems best, and to
rise above party. Probably Gen. Grant
can afford to be deqt;and-dunsb candi-
date, but this couutry cannot afford to elect
q deaf and dumb President. If these
were ordinary times of peace, and the
executive office meant the appoint
ment of tide walters, postmasters and
consuls, we might be content to see
Grant in the office, even if he never
had an opinion. If the country were
in the condition it was when john
son was elected, we might say "take
Grant" he is available, and we shall
have an easy, pleasant canvas, and no
BOTHER But we are now confronted
with problem more serious than ever
known in our country. 1t is problem
that will not permit of conservatism or
compromise. 1t must be radically treat
ed, and we must have a man whose soul
braves the work. A timid, hesitating,
unsvmnathetic President, would bring
disaster, especially if his policy were
masked by the dazzling and seductive
splendor of military fame. - He
(Grant) can not carry our banner unLeSs
he auears our uniform. He can not lead
this party unless we know where he
means to go.