Rensselaer Union, Volume 5, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 July 1873 — Accusations Against the President. [ARTICLE]

Accusations Against the President.

Reaping the accusations against President Grant in some of the papers, that during his late visit to Chicago he forgot alike his self-respect and the dignity of lffs high office, we are reminded of the celebrated story of Hon. S. A. Douglas, who was even more violently- assailed. They laid every transgression at. his door, and he bore all in silence until he was charged with stealing h horse. That filled him with anger, and he brought suit for slander. “And would you believe it?” he used to say in a burst of laughter, “they proved it on me! After that I submitted to every- story that was started, and let it die of its own poison.” General Grant’s safety consists not only in his calm indifference, but also in lff's almost constant publicity. We never had a President who saw or was seen by more people. He is never hidden away. He is ready to meet his friends and fellow-citi-zens of all conditions at all times, and seems to be glad to be among them. Call it a mistake, if you please; it certainly shows that he is not afraid of criticism into his manners, lffs habits, or hisopinions. He has, for instance, been much in Philadelphia, the guest of our main hotel, and the guest of citizens of both parties, meeting men of every shade of opinion,the clergy more than all, perhaps; and yet we have yet to hear the first whisper against him in any quarter. Of the thousands he has met not one has ever laid the accusation at his door now trumpeted -from Chicago, and as emphatically- contradicted. We are proud to make this statement for the honor of Philadelphia, and we may add, though it seems unnecessary, that among General Grant’s fastest friends here are men of’ the severest morals and the strictest temperance; men who never have asked a favor at liis hands, and Who stand aloof from all kinds of politics and ambitions. They- are in fact far more his confidential advisers than any of the party leaders, and thev never go to him save to help the cause of peace, the public credit, or Christian reconstruction. They confide in his character. They believe in his honesty-. And they would assuredly do neither, being wliolly independent of him and of lffs patronage, if he were (lie un worthy person his Chicago enemies declare him to be. A statement like this is worth a library of affidavits. The subject is not a pleasant one in any of its aspects, but, as we are writing about it, we cannot forget that the same stories were told of him during the w-ar, and yet he fought it through without, complaint or denial, and when he finished his work he received the acclamations of a grateful people, and was chosen twice to. the Presidency, the last time almost by acclamation, though all the time pursued by these malignant and cruel misrepresentations. After such an experience one would think he can afford to maintain lffs silence and lffs assailants can afford to stop. — Forney's WeeUy Press.