Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1869-11-12
The Presidents Word.

WHEN the Presidents letter to Mr.. Bon
ner was published, the general feeling
undoubtedly was that it was unnecessary.
But, after all, it is very well that there was
aouiet denial of the story so eagerly told
and so skillfully insinuated of the Presi-
dents completely with the late conspiracy
in Wall Street The charge has since
been openly made that he was virtually a
mariner in the shameful transactions of the
gold clique and it has become question
Of veracity between the President and
certain persons of whom it may be said
that their characters are not above suspl-
cion, nor their word as generally accept
able as Mr. Stewards bond.
Indeed, this is one of the cases which
test the value Of character. There are
circumstances which may require an honest
man to do more than admit or deny, and
which NAV authorize him to enter into
elaborate explanations. But they do not
exist here Party violence and Individual
unscrupulousness may assert and hint and
wonder and deplore, buff General Grants
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 full view of his countrymen
for the last seven years. His character is
certainly as simple as his services are great
necessarily and Indignantly slandered, as
every candidate for the Presidency and
every President must be, deliberate false
hood has not been charged upon him.
although it was implied by Andrew John
son, whom the country thoroughly under
stands Unsuspicious, and therefore care
less of appearances, General Grant is the
very man not to consider the interpreta-
ton that hostility and malice may place
upon the most innocentsactions. Mr.. Van
politicians, would certainly not have
made summer tour like Presi-
dent Grants; and no other President
would, under 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 the contrary, General
Grant is stronger in the popular heart to-
day than at any time since his election.
A ring of gold gamblers now virtually
call him a liar. Such an allegation from
such persons affects the Presidents gooc
name as much as an insult offered to 6
lady in Broadway by group of rowdie'
at a corner, and no more. The Ring may
multiply apparent corroborations, they
may vary their cry, the newspapers may
deprecate and declalm, and announce that
"this is most damaging array of facts, i
the allegations are to be accepted as true
they may call for "a better defense" than
the Presidents word. Defense against
what? Against charge made by per-
sons whose word has no weight whatever
with the great mass of intelligent and re-
putable citizens, that, being President OF
the United States, General Grant used his
knowledge and employed his official au-
thority to make money in conspiracy.
What success could be so sweet to the
conspirators as that the President should
attempt "better defense" than his word
in reply to such an assertion? Washing
ton was accused of debauching the public
conscience. His country believed it just
as much as it believes that Grant was an
accomplice in the late gold conspiracy,
whose designs he is known to have frus-
trated.--HTper's Weekly.