Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 November 1869 — The President's Word. [ARTICLE]

The President's Word.

When Um Preaktenl'e teller to Mr. Bonner was published, the general feeling undoubtedly was that it was unnecessary. But, after all, it is very well that there was a quiet denial of the story so eagerly told and so skillfully insinuated of the President's complicity with the late conspiracy in Wall Street The charge baa since been openly made that he was virtually a partner in the shamcfol transactions of the gold clique; and it has become a question of veracity between the President and certain persona of whom it may be saiil dial their characters arc not above suspi cion, nor thejr word as generally accept able as Mr. Stewart’s bond. Indeed, this Is one oi the cases which test the value of character. Tlkto are circumstances which may. require an honest man to do more than admit or deny, and which may authorise him to enter into elaborate explanations. But they do not exist here. Party violence and individual unscrupulousness may assert and hint arfd wonder and deplore, but if General Grant’s simple word is not enough to dispose of this matter in the minds of honest men, no evidence would avail. General Grant has been in hill view of his countrymen for the last seven years. His character is certainly as simple as his services are great. Incessantly and malignantly slandered, as every candidate for the Presidency and every President must be, deliberate falsehood lias not been charged upon him, although it was implied by Andrew Johnson, whom the country thoroughly understands. CahuSpidous, and thestmre careless of appearances, General .Grant is the very man not to consider the interpretation that hostility and malice may place upon the most innocentjactions. Mr. Van Buren. the most accomplished of politicians, would certainly not have made a summer tour like President. Grant’s; and no other President would, qnder the circumstances, have written a letter to Mr. Bonner. But we have no doubt whatever that the popular confidence in the President is not in the least disturbed. On thecontrary, General Grant is stronger in the popular heart today tlian at any time since, his election. A ring of gold gamblers now virtually call hini a liar. Such an allegation from such persons affects the President’s good name as much as an insult offered to a lady hi Broadway by a group of rowdies al a corner, and no more. The Ring may multiply apparent corroborations, they may vary their cry, the newspapers may deprecate and declaim, and announce that “ this is a most damaging array of facts, if the allegations are to be accepted as true;” they may call for “ a better defense” than the President’s word. Defense against what? Against a charge made by persons whose word has no weigh l whatever with the great mass of intelligent and reputable citizens, that, being President of the United States, General Grant, used his knowledge and employed his official authority to make money in a conspiracy. What success could be so sweet, to- tne conspirators as that the President should" attempt a “better defense” than his word in reply to such an assertion ’ Washington was accused of debauching the public conscience. His country believcu it just as much as it Relieves that Grant was an accomplice in the late gold conspiracy, whose designs he is known to have frustrated. — Harper's Weekly.