Year: 1871




Prospect.


To use familiar colloquial expression, no
one can hold his own in the Presidential chair
who does not possess extraordinary abilities
as a statesman and politician. Having once
attained that position the past record OF
man, however glorious, will avail but little in
the future His achievements and popularity
may carry him there with fcLat; but as soon
as he is in the Executive Mansion he is judged
by another standard. He Is ''a light set upon
hill," and all eyes are fixed on him; and
what an ordeal to pass through, even for
statesman 1t may be said. indeed, that he
is tried as by fire. A man of transcendent
ability may come out brighter but one of
inferior capacity will be reduced to dross, and
can never shine again. He will 60 out with
the honor of having been the Chief Magistrate
of this mighty republic; but that is all. His
incapacity and mistakes will be remembered,
even his former services or virtues will be
obscured, and the people will not be disposed
to trust him again.


The history of the republic for over thirty
years confirms this statement in a remarkable
manner. Since the time of Jackson no Pres
ident, with the exception of Mr.. Lincoln, has
been reelected or chosen for two terms.
There were peculiar circumstances which led
to the denomination and reelection of Mr..
Lincoln which may never appear again.
Apart from his genial and popular character
and his strong common sense, which may
answer sometimes in the place of exalted
craftsmanship, the war still existed when he
was reelected and commenced his second
term of Office, and he was so identified all
through with that great event that his re-elec-
tion appeared to the people to be necessary.
But this, as we said, is remarkable excep-
tional case. Up to Jackson's time re-elec-
ton to the Presidency generally took place.
In fact, nearly all the early Presidents served
two terms. Most of these were statesmen
greater men for the most part than have filed
the Executive chair since. But the sentiment
of the country was more conservative and less
given to change in those times. The world
did not move as fast as now. High and honor
able as the position of President was then the
prize was not 80 great Besides, the wonder
full growth Of the country and progress of the
age have developed greater interests and CON-
plications, and have made the Presidential
office much more difficult to fill with satisfac-
tion TO the people. The position of king or
emperor in monarchical countries is more
easy; for there the ruler is hedged around by
a sort of sacredness, enlists more veneration,
nd so NIL clo rir
to great extent by his ministers. The Pre-
sident of the United States is directly respon-
sible to the people, who scan all his move
ments and acts with searching eye. No man
of small mental calibre, Indifference or mex
perience, as President, can expect in these
times to hold his popularity over four years,
SO as to secure reelection. None but q
statesman of towering intellect or one favored
by remarkably peculiar circumstances, as Mr..
Lincoln was, can hope for that.


What, then, is the prospect for General
Grants denomination or reelection? Little
more than two years out of four Of his term
of Office has expired; yet we see daily fresh
proofs of increasing unpopularity. He has
not come up to the hopes and expectations Of
the people. The elections, which are the
sure barometer of public sentiment, are going
against him and his party. Overwhelming as
the strength of the republicans was short
time ago, the tide of reaction has set in so
strongly and steadily that there is reason to
believe the administration party will be In
minority before the next Presidential cleo
tion-a year and eight months hence. Had
the reaction we witness been held back or de-
layed another year the latent strength of the
republican administration might have carried
the party safely over 1872, for the masses of
people in the rural districts are rather
slow to move; but the opposing current Of
public opinion has set in too early and too
strong to admit Of any such expectation.
Nothing but some great public excitement or
important popular measures would now divert
the tide, and there is little probability that
either the President or the republican party
can create one or inaugurate the other to make
such diversion.


The very measures that the administration
and the republican party have brought for
ward to create popularity or to secure longer
lease of power have failed While they were
feasting upon these as the delicious fruit of
hope they have turned to ashes in their mouths.
Repression in the South, and holding the
Southern white people in political bondage
and under disabilities, while the negroes, car
pet-baggers and scalawags were favored and
honored, was the policy of the party to secure
the vote of that section What has been the
resultP Defeat Of the radicals, and turning
over the South to the democrats. Worse than
that it has kept up trouble and disorder
among people who desired peace, in order to