The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-29
From IIarper's weOkly.l
The President and the Gnats.

The newspapers that used to call Mr..
Lincoln a thir,l-rate country lawyer, and
..blush" at the contrast in political ability
between him aud Jefferson Davis, are
very busy in attempting to cast odium and
ridiculc upon President Grant. Their
conduct Is inspired by the same spirit
which led them TO denounce him in the
field rs butcher. But his real crimes in
the eyes of his seyerest critics arc his
steady fidelity to the Union, and his -un
conditional victory over the rebellion.
The rebellion sprang from the principles
of the Democratic party. II was led by
the Democratic chiefs. II was sustained
by Democratic sympathy. Every great
measure Of the war was denounced by the
Democratic conventions; and in the midst
of the struggle the Democratic party vir-
tually declared for submission TO the re-
bellion. The World now frankly admits
that the "War Democracy" was small
body" And to the organs Of party
which counted upon the success Of the
rebellion man who silently and power
fully opposed ii. and finally. by his skill
full military combinations, compelled its
military chiefs to surrender, can only be
u target Of constant calumny. Conse-
quently no public man was ever more
rancorously slandered by them than
President Grant. No opportunity Of
fllschood and Misrepresentation is lost;
and If the representations of the Demo-
cratic press were to be taken rs true, the
most accomplished Of statesmen, and the
most able of Christian heroes, and the
noblcst of lost causes were all COMPOUNDED
and bailled by shallow charlatan.
There is no invention so puerile. no in
situation so contemplate, that ii does not
serve the purpose Of political or personal
hatred of one Of the simplest and most
honest of Americans. The worst motives
are attributed to the plainest actions, and
every wor,l and deed arc laboriously and
deliberately misintcrpreted. The people
Of this country knew that General Grant
was not politician when they elected
him President. They did not expect from
him the smooth cvasions of n politician.
They asked of him an honest adherence
to the principles upon which no was elect
ed and to tho party that sustained him. In
country necessarily controlled by par
ties il is undoubtedly misfortune for u
President to be unfamiliar with political
persons and methods. But, ON the other
hand, every man feels that public affairs
aro safer with q man Of honest purpose
and general ability. even without polit-
ical experience, than with mere poll
tcian.
The peril, Of trusting exclusively to a
politician were shown in the case of Mr..
Chase. Down to the autumn elections of
1867, it was thought 10y many that Mr..
Chase ought To be tho Republican candi-
date. Undoubtedly he thought 50 him.
self. lie had been n conspicuous Repub-
lican leader. His course had been con-
sistcnt. He had been in the van Of the
party. Everybody knew that he wanted
to be- President, but everybody conceded
his ability and experience. ale UNDER
stands politics" was the gcaeral remark.
There were those. however, who felt that
circumstances designated General Grant
rs the proper candidate. and he was Sc
lected by reclamation. lie was nominal
ted in May. In July, Mr.. Horatio Sey.
mour received from Democratic conven-
ton. of which Mr.. Wade Hampton was
the master-spirit, nomination which he
had meant to offer 10 Mr.. Chase; and
while Mr.. Seymour wa, accepting it, he
had in his pocket the speech which he
had intended to make upon tho nomina-
ton of Mr.. Chase. That Mr.. Chase was
willing to receive such nomination Is
the result Of what Is called politics"
Those who think that il Is essential to
good government are impatient Of Presi-
dent Grant. Those who were ready to
hail Mr.. Chase rs great statesman con-
.tcmptuously deny to General Grant any
statesmanlike quality. ar.
But because man Is not, in the tech
nical sense. ~ statesman" II does not
follow that he Is destitute Of common
sense, rs seems TO DO assumed by the
clumsy opponents Of the President. Gen.
eral jackson was very far. from being a
statesman. Mr.. Lincoln's claims to
craftsmanship werc dcridcd. u Probably
Mr.. Madison and Mr. Van Buren, would
satisfy the technical requirements. But
tho good sense Of General jackson and OF
Mr.. Lincoln could be trusted to save
them from any obvious and absurd i'm
proprietics, and 90 may General Grants.
In these days Of unscrupulous assertion
IN the pres. . charge involving the honor
and discretion Of the President should DO
1900 b., ,ha char,scter of the paper that