Year: 1869

1T Will De reCOllected that JUST prior TO
the Inauguration of General Grant as
President, the Democratic press of the
North attempted the role of the prophet,
in predicting an early and radical disagree
ment between the President and Congress,
and the speedy downfall of the Republi-
can party. 1t was even suggested that the
President would have to look to the
Democratic party for support in carrying
out his policy. And Mr.. Pruyn, repre-
senting the minority on the committee ap


pointed to notify the new President of his
election, gave voice to Democratic expec-
tations, and patronizingly assured Gen.
Grant that he could confidently look to
the Democrats for support of his (hoped.
for conservative policy. 1t is true this
which it was said the President elect good
quench the zeal of the Democratic press.
Nor did the enunciation of strong Re-
publican policy in the Inaugural Address
convince them of their mistake: AS poll
ticians the editors were wise in their own
conceit, and they yet hoped for disa-
greement between the Executive and
Legislative branches of the Government.


How does the case stand now? The
President has steadily pursued the policy
enunciated in the Inaugural, and his Ad-
ministration is recognized as strongly and
wisely Republican. There is perfect ac-
cord between him and Congress, and our
opponents are not gratiied with even a
semblance of a quarrel. The reconstruc-
ton message offered a good opportunity
for breach, but both the House and the
Senate showed alacrity in carrying out the
suggestions of the Executive. The Presi-
dent was entrusted with the duty of pro-
viding for elections in the three States
not yet reconstructed, and there is general
satisfaction with the situauion-a feeling
of confidence that the work will be
promptly and fitly attended to.


Our Democratic opponents, however,
disappointed in their hopes, and with their
desire for revenge unsatisfed by remark
able indulgence In outrageous personal
abuse of the Executive and his friends,
are now engaged in firing the Southern
heart, that the new Constitutions in Vir-
ginia, Mississippi and Texas may be
voted down, thus protracting indefinitely
that military rule which they affect 90
much to deplore, and rendering it possible
to break down the Administration before
the people. Thus the same policy which
was pursued toward Congress, which pre-
vented the reconstruction of the three
States above named, and which, through
murder, intimidation and monstrous wrong,
carried the States of Georgia and Louisiana
for Seymour and Blair, is being used
now to defeat the Administration, and
keep alive a little longer the expiring
fame of Democracy. Grant is for an inn
mediate reconstruction on the basis of
Justice towards all classes. The Demo-
cratic party is in favor of continuance of
DISCRIMINATION and anarchy in order that
its existence may be continued. We do
not look for an acquiescence by the
Southern people in the policy of the Dem
ocratic politicians of the North. They
held off for time, hoping for great favors
through a Democratic triumph last fall,
but they cannot afford to stand out longer
for any temporary advantage it may be to
their heretofore political allies. They will
lose all by voting to be deprived indef-
nitely Of participation in the Government.
Through reconstruction will come the
privileges, improvement and security they
seek. AS for the people of the North, we
are satisfied that in future elections they
will endorse the administration of Presi-
dent Grant, as they have heretofore the
principles which underlie his policy.


We have had occasion heretofore 70
speak in terms of commendaiion of the
| course of the President in regard to the
Alabama treaty and the Cuban revolution ;
and we might justly speak as explicitly
and favorably of the manner in which he
is carrying out the work of reform in the
Revenue Department. There has been a
pretty clean sweep, and we have the as
suranee that further changes will be made,
| if deemed necessary to secure an honest