Year: 1869

TO dispute the case before the magistrates.
1t is something to have set ones self right
with the public Chambers Journal.


President Grants Adm infstratfOn.
THE appointments thus far made, and
the general course pursued by President
Grant, have given q distinctive tone and
character to his administration, of which
we may already speak with confidence,
though some time will be required for the
development of comprehensive and thor
ough reforms in all departments of the
government. First and foremost it is clear
that President Grant has no theory that it
is his duty to distribute the offices, as the
rain falls, equally on the just and on the
unjust; to place those who support the
principles of equal rights to all men, on
which he was elected, on the same basis
as those who still cling to the lost cause.
In nominating General Longstreet, for
merly rebel, but now Republican, to
be Collector of Customs in New Orleans,
and the colored Mr.. Pinchback, of Loui-
sian, to minor Office in the same State,
as well as in the nomination of colored
men for leading Post Office in South
Carolina, for Justice of the Peace at
Washington, and for Ministers of Hayti
and Liberia, President Grant has shown
that he desires to- recognize neither color
nor past participation in the Rebellion if
followed by earnest conversion to the
principles of freedom as any bar to Office
or preferment. This is broad, sound
basis on which to conduct the government
in the future, and we are heartily glad that
President Grant has so promptly acted
upon it. There is a possibility of over
doing magnanimity so as to defeat justice;
but as yet the President has not exposed
himself to that charge.


Every appointment thus far made has
commended itself to the party that placed
General Grant in power, from q party
point of view. The repeated predictions
thrown out before the election, that the
Republican party had nominated mailed
sphynx, a political enigma, which would
yet prove to be Democratic President,
have all vanished under the first six weeks
of Grants administration. No retrogade
ideas have been urged upon Congress,
though the President has not been slow in
adding the weight of his name and power
to important. measures tending toward
peace and justice, which had been de-
nOunced as ultra-radical. The vigor with
which he has pushed the Fifteenth (uni-
versal suffrage) Amendment to the Con-
stitution will, doubtless, secure its passage
q year or two earlier than could have been
done without his aid. This done, and the
Union restored on its basis, the mission of
Radicalism, so far as the negro question
is concerned, is ended forever. So far
from Grant proving Democratic or
neutral President, he has put his shoulder
vigorously to the wheel to consummate
the complete triumph of Republican prin.
ciples.


The disciples of Copper Johnsonism are
in as full flight out of Office as the rebels
were out of Richmond at the news of Five
Forks. The same unostentatious signature
which signed the acceptance of Lees sur
render is assigning the Johnsonites to pri-
vate life and obscurity. They go like the
dead. The places that but yesterday
knew them now know them no more


In his Cabinet, as in other appointments,
many Judge that the President has come
short of that masterly sagacity and per-
feet knowledge of men which character
lied his military appointments as a Gen
eral. "Then," say they, " he did nothing
from favor; he refused trading permits to
his relatives and special friends as prompt
ly as to all others Now he appoints many
officers on the basis of admitted personal
Obligation" though in most cases the flt-
ness of the appointment in itself is not
seriously disputed. Then he brought for
ward no men who were failures, and many
who were great successes, while every
man whom he branded as a charlatan or
humbug proved to be so in the long run.
1t is not to be expected that he should be
equally successful in his civil career. AS
a soldier he rose step by step from the
lowest round to the highest, and learned
his way as he travelled over it. As civil
ian, he is thrust at once to the tOpmost
round, and before he has time to study he
must act. We doubt if any civilian has
had much better preparation than he
for the Presidency, but his preparation is
less thorough than for the chief command
of the army. ~


In his Cabinet appointments there was
hitch which very few lawyers would
have avoided. In looking for the ablest
practical financier in the country, for the
Treasury Department, he selected one
whom an obscure statute prevented from
filling the Office. Foiled by the technical
difficulty, he selected another candidate
in Difference, it may be said, to the views
of Congress, as whole, though informal
ly expressed. Mr.. Boutwell, commands
the confidence thus far of the country.
His purity is without taint. His abilities
in Treasury affairs remain to be tested.
Strong attacks have been made upon Mr..
Borie, both on the ground of inexperi-
ence and ill-health. A still more severe
ground of objection has been that his
only claim to distinction beyond
other respectable mercantile gentlemen
is that he was prominent in presenting
General Grant with house in Philadel-
phia. Should these objections be found
to impair his usefulness, the President
will, doubtless, apply the rule he has an
nounced for all cases, and promptly re-
quest him to resign.


| President Grants course, especially rel
alive to the Tenure-of- Office law, has been
characterized by the same moderation and


prudent Judgment which distinguished
him as 3 commander. He has aimed at