Year: 1868

No man has ever dabbled in politics in
this country who has proved himself to be
more of demagogue, or has committed
more plumbers as politician, than Grant.
He has shown a lamentable want OF sagac-
ity and of honor, aud has been trcacher-
Gus to the president, to conservative repub-
licans, to the democrats, and the Jacobins.
He went into the war democrat, and
was one up to the close of the contest.
When johnson became president Grant
was a johnson man. He sustained john
sons policy of restoration, and wanted the
freedmen's bureau abolished and its mat
ters placed in the hands of the military of.
fcers in the soush. He travelled through
the southern states to gatke- matter for
the report upon which johnson based
what Sumner called "the whltewashing
message" Grant furnished the white
wash, and the report gave evidence that
it was to him a labor of love. The report
stirred up the malevolence of every jaco-
bin in the senate, and gave aid and COM
fort to every conservative and democratic
senator. When johnson made the attempt
to get up third party, Grant backed the
movement. He stood by the side Of the
president when the latter received the del
egation from Philadelphia Johnsonite con-
vention. 10 further prove his attachment
for johnson, he ''swung round the circle"
with him. until symptoms of gastric fever
that is what they call it now-compelled
him TO detach himself from the excur-
sion.


1t is probable that Johnson, in making
Grant secretary of war, did intend to
commit him to conservatism in sucha man
ner that he could not ally himself with the
ia ,obins. The radical press all over the
country alleged that Grants acceptance Of
the war department was an act of hostility
to the "rarty Of free 1om," and one Of en-
couragemeut to its opponents. He had
not sufficient s.nse to understand johnson 5
strategy. He cot only consented to be
an instrument to oust Stanton, and to be-
come member of Johnson's cabinet,
which hecould not do decently if opposed to
Johnson's general policy, but he did make
fair agreement with the president that
he would hold on to the war office and de-
fy the senate and the jacobin party in case
the senate should refuse to concur in the
suspension of Star ton. When he deter
mined to betray johnson and violate this
this agreement, he was such silly and
stupid blunderer that he left in the hands
of johnson the proof that he had been
guilty Of falsehood and had meanly
and most dishonorably betrayed his
trust.


Had Grant paid no attention to the
newspaper rumors concerning the question
of veracty at the issue between him and
Johnso n, the proofs of falsehood and
treachery would not have been given to
the public.i in the form they were, He un-
dertook to free himself from the suspicion
that lie had acted meauly and treacherous
| ly by wading deeper into untruth, with
every reason to believe that thereby the
suspicion would he changed into certainty
In this his want Of tact and discretion was
as noteworthy as his want Of regard for
truth aud honor He drove the president
TO the procurement Of the testimony of all
the members of the cabinet establishing
the fact Of his dishonorable violation OF
his word


Where, in all the course as politician
of this democratic-J Johnsonian- -conserva
tiye-Jacobin, is there particle of evidence
that he possesses the integrity or capacity
to deal with politicians q important politi-
cal issues? If he were wax in the hands
of johnson, aud putty iE the hands o.
Stanton, what would he be in dealing with
the intrigues and intriguers surrounding
the presidency? His latest movement a:
q politician was to join the impeachers


and they have just been disgracefully de


feated. Considering his position, his act


ion in the matter was as indecent as tha


of Wade voting on the verdict.