Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-11-12
The Presidents Word,

WHEN the Presidents letter 10 Mr. Bon
ner was published, the general feeling
undoubtedly was that Il was unnecessary.
But, amer all, Il Is very well that there wss va
aauiet denial OF the story so eagerly tolu
and 80 oskinfnlly insinuated OF the fresi-
dents complicitv with the late conspiracy
in wall Street The charge has since
been anenlv made that he was virtually a
nartner In tho shameful transactions of the
rold clIuue and Il has become o question
Of veraoity between the President ana
certain persons of whom II may be said
that their characters are not above suspi.
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 homes,
man 10 do more than admit or deny, anu
which may authorize him 10 enter into
elaborate explanatiOns. But they do not
exist here. Party violence and individual
unscrupulousness may assert and hint and
wonder and deplore, butif 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.
Incessantly and Indignantly slandered, as
every candidate for the Presidency and
'eyery 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, aud 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 innocentactions. Mr.. Van
Buren, the most accomplished OF
politicians, would certainly not have
made summer tour like Presi-
dent Grants; and no other President
would, under the circumstances, have
written 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 good
name as much as an insult offered TO n
lady in Broadway by n group of rowdies
at n corner, and no more. The Ring may
multiply apparent corroborations, they
may vary their cry the newspapers may
deprecate and deChlm, and announce that
"this is most damaging array of facts, II
the allegations are TO be accepted as true"
they may call for " q 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 a conspiracy
What success could be so sweet TO the
conspirators as that the President should
attempt q TbetteS defense than his word
in reply TO such an asscrtiony Washing
ton was accused Of debauching the public
conscience. His country believed Il just
N enc Iatc S void wS
whose designs he Is known 20 have frus
trated.--HIrper's Weekly. t N -