Year: 1872

There is no longer scarcely doubt of the
reelection of General Grant The people are
quiet, but they have mostly made up their
minds. They contrast the administration
with that which we should have under the
lead of Grants opponents. They contrast
the administration with that which we
should be likely to have under the
lead of Grants opponents. They believe it
to be on the whole consistent with the ideas
prevailing at the time of its assuming power.
They have no doubt that it will be flexible to
the wants and wishes of the steadier and so
berer part of the nation. and they therefore
deliberately determine that it it shall continue
in power.


The people like straight thing. They like
to see men and parties consistent with
themselves. They overlook mistakes, but re-
buke tergiversations. When Greeley bids for
Democratic votes, which he used to regard as
totally flung away, and Democrats throw up
their hats for Greeley, whose heart in all his
life never gave a Democratic throb, the people
know there is something hollow in all that.
Like the man who ate the fishball, they taste
something dead in it; and so, quietly, even
little scornfuly, they are going to re-elect
General Grant, and what is of more conse-
quence, put him there on his good behavior.


For we greatly mistake the spirit Of the
people if some of the good things expected OF

tanned after all. The bonds of the party are
greatly loosed. Many good Democrats will
vote for General Grant. Many more will
probably vote for the nominee of the Louis
vile Convention. More still. perhaps, will
vote for Mr.. Greeley. After the election OF
Grant there is likely to be a coalescence of
good men of all former parties for the sake OF
obtaining some ends of good government.
Parties cannot long live on the past. Even
the Republican orators do not tell us what the


party proposes to do-they tell us what it has
done. 1t 10 an error to suppose that the cleo


tion of Grant is going TO consolidate the Re
publican party as such. That party has done
good work, and is expected to take not
few steps in advance.


1t is indeed necessary that Grant should be
elected; but it will also be necessary for him
to have a positive policy Of some sort; and
when this policy has been announced it will
draw to itself supporters from all quarters
without much reference to their previous past
affinities, and will rspel other men, many OF
whom doubtless previously voted as Repub-
licans; so that with new party issues there


will be, there must be, new party organiza-
tions. Whether they be of the same name as
of old is of no Importance whatever. Sound
Democratic doctrines, which have been more
or less smirched of late years through their
connection with secession and rebellion, are
working themselves clear. They will infiu-
encc our future politics as they have our past.
There is likely to be after the election more
independent press in this country than ever
before. Abuses will not be tolerated as they
have been. Patriotism and party will be more
ASSOCIATED. And everybody will see by and
bye, when the clouds have cleared off and
effects can be traced to their causes, that 1t
was good thing after all to have agitated for
the Cincinnati Convention; that the effort
was not altogether lost, and that civil service
reform, frser commercial system, a sound
money and decentralization, will yet form
the angles of a strong political quadrilatsral"