Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1869-08-27
The Presidents RecreatiOns.

The asinine press seem endeavoring in a
spiteful, feeble way to criticise President
Grant for availing himself of the summer
vacation to indulge in 1off-hand social in
tercourse with the people at the watering
places and elsewhere. 1t is not questioned
that the President seeks this recreation in
an appropriate manner, but it seems to be
assumed that he ought to swelter at the
| White House, or, if that unhealthy location
prove too bilious, snatch hurried rest at
night at the Soldiers Home, haunting
Washington by day. The only President
who lived without recreation (other than an
occasional attendance at Washington
theatre) was Mr. Lincoln The Copper
heads not only did not thank him for his
unremitting Herculean toll, but availed
themselves of the solitary occasions on
which he sought to unbend from the labors
of the government to waylay and murder
himAan achievement in which they at last
succeeded. With the exception of Mr..
Lincoln, every President has made tours
of recreation through the country. An
drew johnson amused himself in the
only way he was able, by swing
ing around the circle on a drink
ing tour, making stupid and very
maudlin speeches.. Mr.. Buchanan resort
ed every year to Bedford as his favorite
place. President Pierce visited the Crys-
tai Palace at New York, and went into
summer quarters at Cape Island Presi-
dent Van Buren, was fond, even to turnkey
ism, of aristocratic people. President
Jackson spent many weeks of his vaca-
ton at the Ripraps, Fortress Monroe. The
President most ostentatiously addicted to
displaying himself on public tours, with a
pomp and hauteur that at the present day
would be oppressive and offensive, was
Washington himself He esteemed it part
of his official duty to make formal impe-
rial progresses around the country, and part
of the official duty of everybody who came
in his waysto receive him with punctilious
Difference and parade. President Grants
military achievements throw those of the
First Presidents far into the background.
His civil career has been marked by less
pretension but not less ability, judgment
or prudence than that Of Washington. 1t
cannot be deemed improper that he
should mingle with the people in a man.
neither intrusive nor vulgar, but
sure of well-poised gentlemen among
his social equals. He observes the
characters and studies the opinions
of all, but reserves judiciously the express
sion of his own. This certainly is char
acteristic of the most successful statesmen
and executive rulers of all ages. At the
w hite House he could meet only politi-
clans. At Long Branch, New York,
Boston, Newport, Saratoga, he m cts the
men of business of all classes al the East
With those of the West and South he is
more familiar than any President who
ever preceded him. Who can doubt that
he information he is thus accommodating
it's of infinite value to him? Fortunate
would it have been if his predecessor had
spent his time thus, instead of organizing
policies at Washington in ignorance of
popular opinion. Moreover, what public
need is being neglected? Were our
finances, foreign relations, Indian affairs,
reconstruction, bureau or revenue man
.agement ever advancing more salts
factorily, or being reformed more rapidly?
Was there ever more vigor or less waste;
more fidelity or less corruption in
our administration When Grants pres
ence was needed during the eight long
years of the war, and of the perils of re-
construction, was he ever absent from his
post? Did he ever seek the capital for pro-
motion, or come to it at all from the time
he entered the army as Regimental Staff
Quartermaster until he was called there as
General-in- Chief of all our armies ? Did
his stars or staff then figure at the water
ing-places? Never. The elements of his
success were then military. He moved
freely among all his officers and men from
Sherman, Mcpherson and Sheridan down
to Surgeons, Quartermasters and privates.
He studied the problem in all its parts anil
made no mistakes. His problem now is
financial, industrial and political one.
He is moving among men of business, of
industry, and who, through these resources,
have earned their summer months for
leisure. He sees very great number of
them. And if he learns nothing else he at
least learns them. He does well and wise
ly. Before we find fault with it, let us see
what evil comes from it.-Ohicago Tribune,
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