Year: 1873

4


-oYo. gaL al 7RicHAoND, va, August IL, 1878.


Since Colonel John 8. MosDy announced his in
tention to take the stump In favor Of General
Grant, for a third term in the next Presidential
canvass, which was followed by series OF leading
articles in the HERALD the subject OF Cesarism,
and, subsequently, by a discussion embracing
nearly the entire press OF the country, that has
been topic of the most serious national consider
alton. Here In the South, however, while it is
generally discussed. there is an apparent apathy
to the result which has at stake the destiny of the
Republic, that is both painful and alarming, when
we stake into consideration the fact that majority Of
these same southern States were among the original
thirteen colonies that first declared for American
liberty and independence. At the same time 1t is
equally apparent that this discussion Of Cesarism
In the press is producing powerful impression on
the Southern mind. The quiet acquiescence Of
the administration press In the forcing by


THE POWER OF THE BAYONET
the Kellogg government upon the people OF
Louisiana; the general indifference and apathy of
the people OF the North and West in regard to what
Is universally considered and denounced by
Southern men as wholly unwarranted executive
usurpation, lend the force OF conviction to these
notes OF alarm. Coupled with this feeling is that
OF utter helplessness in the South II thing as
resistance to the march OF despOtism were ever
contemplated; and there can be no question as to
the honesty OF the opinion constantly hear re-
peated-Grant is more thoroughly and completely
master OF the situation than Louis Napoleon was
when, IN single night, he turned the French Re-
public into an Empire, and that Grants renomina-
ten, election and his perpetuation in office are
mere questions to be decided by himself.
Views or MIR. james Cowardin, of the
m Rich mond Dispatch.





James A. Cowardin, the senior editor Of the Dis
journalism.


'sWhat is your opinion OF the newspaper discus
sion OF 'C2sarismf - asked the editor.


EDITOR-Wcll, sir, have not paid great deal
Of attention to the discussion in the newspapers,
because 1t interests me very little. have seen
numerous articles on the subject without reading
them, but am satisfied that General Grant, II he
chooses, can be elected the next President; or II
he does not wish to 60 to the trouble OF election
he can declare his purpose to hold on to the Office
by statiOning the army OF the United States the
leading cities OF the country, ostensibly


TO PRESERVE THE PEACE.
the same as he did In the Southern States while re-
construction was going on.


CoRREsPoNDENT-Do you suppose that the people
Of the North and West would tamely submit to such
an outrage upon their rights and liberties as a
conversion of free government into despotismG
EDITOR-The people OF the North and West
to have lost all their love for and devotion to
their state governments. They have been SO long
used to going to Washington and looking to Wash
ington for everything they crave In the shape of
land donations, contracts, appr opriatlOns and
'jobs,' that they have sunk the individuality of
their States, which are now little more in the
Union than a township is In a county, or than
Henrico county is in the State Of Virginia.


CoRREsPoNDENr-But would they not resist any
encroachment upon their republican government,
central though 1t beH


EDIroR-No sir; hardly believe they would,
and II they did what would be the use In the face
OF Grants power through his


Blk HUNDRED THOUSAND oFFICE-HoLDERs
and the army and the navy, all OF which, from
their interests and organizations, would be active
supporters of q centralized despotIsm-an Empire.
And what would be the ditrerenceS Even now we
have all the tyranny and despotism OF an Empire
with the outward forms and sembance or q
Republic.


regard third term for General Grant, or, as it is
now understood, the approach to CesarismP


EDrroR-with the most perfect Indifference.
Tney have been 80 long under the rule OF the bayo-
net; have had negro rule 30 ruthlessly and out.
snubbed and rebuned at washington, when zen.
tlemen OF respectability, intelligence and influence
have demeaned themselves BY going there in quest
pathy, without any effort to redress their wrongs
from the people OF the North and West, that thew
have ceased to take even passing interest in the
national government


o KING, LIVE FoREvERi


CORRESPONDENT-You are under the impression
then, that the people OF the Southern States would
not resist II General Grant was ambitious enough
to wear kingly crown on the throne OF the United
States At Washington


EDIToR-Resist, sir Far from it. rather be.
leve they would hail It as o partial move towards
their emancipation from some OF the wrongs by
which they are now oppressed. Grant would then
be more independent, and would not be SO much
under the control OF the unprineiped party lead.
ers by whom he Ia now surrounded. He would
then be free to act according to the dictates of his
own conscience, and II he is man of any principle
at all, or with any sense OF right and Justice,
think that we OF the South would be rather bene-
deplorabe. Look, SIR, at the condition or pOor
South Carolina, where the BEST most refined cul.
tvated and bravest OF our own race are In state
OF governmental vassaage to the brutal, ignorant