Year: 1876

There are such things as warnings,
we do not mean in a suspcrstitious
sense of the word, but as we view the
conduct of men we can form our anti
cipations of the character of their fu-


ture actions from their previous con-
duct. In business transactions we are
governed by this rule, and in dealing


with parties and their representatives
the same logic applies. In the aggre-
cation of men we have but the mass


ing of so much humanity, and in the
great body there is display of human


instincts corresponding with similar
characteristics of individuals. This


fact has been demonstrated both by


the present administration and the


conduct ofpublic affairs by the Repub-


lican party during its term of supreme
acy. When GRANT returned from the
field, covered with glory and honored


by the North, promoted to a position


at the mead of the army to be courted


by any American citizen, he had ac-


quired all of the social distinction and


national honor that a reasonable NOR
tai could desire. There were many
ill-advised journals through whose


agency in great measure he was
brought forward as political instru-
q c a 90 MI 70 ha


cy under the rule of expediency.
There were many conservative and To-
gical representatives of the press that
objected, on the ground that if there
were any honor in the achievements
acquired by the victorious General
and the bestowals showered upon him
upon his return from the field, he had
received all of the need of homage
that a grateful people could give.
Many of such representatives. of po-
pular sentiment objected consistently
to his accepting political prominence
for the reason that if such a course
were adopted in response to heated
popular enthusiasm, the honor he had
won would be contaminated should he
accept the candidacy for office at the
hands of any political organization.
These journals, logical, and as facts
have shown, correct in their conclu-
sions, availed nothing, and the epau-
lets were laid aside for the baton of
the Presidency. The promotions be-
slowed by an enthusiastic constituent
cy acquired the present ignominious
prominence of Gen. GRANT, and has
brought upon the country such a state
of things as presents both the Presi-
dent and the dominant party in a most
offensive position. Possibly shrewd
and competent in arms, our Chief
Magistrate has shown himself totally
incompetent to preside over the con-
duct of civil affairs. He at the out
set sought to surround himself with
class of advisers who had not a parti-
Gle of sympathy with the majority of
our people, and in his career has
evinced an autocratic despotism, min
gled with turbulence to the aristo-
cratic idea that gives proof positive
that the third term idea was not
myth. During his official career, in
civil capacity, the worst of the evils
that can befasl an ill-governed repub-
lie have been exhibited, and the peo-
pie have been sickened with the spec
tacle. Under the late Congress, pre-
vious to the last, the animating spirit
appears to have been in favor of GEN.
tralization of power, and every effort
has been made by the supporters of the
Administration to screen offenders
against the public and condone the
shortcomings of those in high places.
IF the office records of the nation do
not present warning against the
further continuance of power
In the hands of the Repub-
licsn party we cannot conceive