The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-07-15
A Denunciat.iO.,.

.-~s DenunciatiOI.
We are most decidedly Of the opinion that
Ex- President johnson holds President Grant
in utter contempt. One Of the interview
seeking correspondents of the New York
Herald gives long account Of talk with
Andy, from which We extract the following
Correspondent-Well Mr.. johnson, to
change the subject, what do they now think
Of this Administration down in Tennessee /?
Mr.. Johnson don't know that you ought
to ask me such question. People would be
very likely to attribute an unfavorable opinion
from me as prompted by improper motives.
You know very well, sir, for you were familiar
with my views while was President, what
my estimate of Grant was, and don't know
of anything that has since occurred that has
caused me to change my mind the slightest.
I know Grant thoroughly. had ample op-
portunity to study him when was President,
and am convinced he is the greatest farce
that vas ever thrust upon people. Why,
the little fcllow-excuse me for using the ex-
preston, but l can't help plying him-the
little fellow has nothing in him. He hasn't
single idea. He has no policy, no concep-
ton Of what the country requires. He don't
understand the philosophy of single great
question, and is completely lost in trying to
cunning and treacherous. He lied to me,
fagrantly, by God, and l convicted him by
my whole Cabinet but that even would
have been tolerable we're it the only instance,
but it was not. He lied on many other occa-
sions. tell you, sir, Grant is Dothing more
than bundle of petty spites, jealousics and
rescntments And yet they say Grant is a
second Washington. Only think of it, when
VOW compare him with Washington Or Jeffer-
son, where is he? Why, he is SO small you
must put your finger on him. He, little
upstart, coward, physically and intellect
ually, to be compared to George Washington !
Why, it makes me laugh | have more pity
for the man than contempt, for I have no
spite against him. But | fear for the coun-
try. Why, just look at the inaugural Of
Washington. He speaks about his fear and
trembling in accepting the Presidency, even
after all his experience and success. But
this little fellow Grant, an upstart, mere
accident of the war, creature without the
ability to comprehend the philosophy of
single great question; says in his inaugural,
II know the responsibility is great, but &C
cept it without fear" Is that like Washing
ton or Jefferson? Pshaw! It's monstrous
to think of. Grant, tell you, sir, has no
ideas, no policy. Why, Washington consid-
cred that mans greatness was measured by
his morality, by the standard of his soul
And have always considered that the more
soul man had, the more he developed the
soul or intellect within him, the more Godlike
he became But, sir, Grant has nothing
Physically and mentally and morally, he is a
you could put it within the periphery of a
hazel nutshell and it might float about for a
thousand years without knocking against the
walls of the shell. That's the size of his
soul. just look at the man sitting at Cabi-
net council He has no idea, no policy, no
standard, no creed, no faith. How can he
guide the people? How can he impress any
great improvements or moral ideas upon the
nation He has no object to look forward
to, no leading aim to draw the people towards
any particular end. He sits there with his
Cabinet. One member has bought him a
house in Philadelphia, another has given him
5000, another has given him a carriage,
and SO on. 1t is degrading to the Office Of
President Of the United States to have such
q man there. They talk about his generalship.
Well, he was mere incident of the war
Men and arms were supplied in abundance,
and his forces were so massive that they
simply crushed out the rebellion. It would
have been done had Grant never been born
Therefore he was mere incident But the
little fellow has come to think he is somebody
really. can't help plying him when l
think how we'll know him and what an in
fnitessimal creature he really is. l often
think that about the fittest place for Grant is
Fat some place in the country where there are
cross roads. ! have been at those places and
have often noticed the scenes. At one corner
perhaps there is a small blacksmith's shop
At another corner of the cross roads there is
grocery store, and at another house where
the squire meets to settle cases. Well, l
have often noticed at such juncture Of sew
eral roads that when the squirc's business is
over some fellows will propose horse race
and to give interest to the thing barrel of
cider and perhaps half gallon OF whiskcy
will be staked on the result. Now Grant is
just suited to such situation. His ideas are
of the cross roads order, and he has not
thought above that.
l 81.