The New York herald., 1870-08-02

General Grant and His Observation-Disclosures
from Senator Harinn, Of Iowa.
The following letter was written by Senator
Harlan, Of Iowa, to gentleman in Florida, in
answer to certain inquiries concerning President
Grant and his administration
UNITED STATES SENATE CHAMBER,
WASHINGTON July 20, 1870. (
MY DEAR CoLoNEL-ln reply to yours of the
10th have 20 say that the criticisms of President
Grant and his administration found In Southern
papers and supported by certain republican pa
pers-so-called-n the North, are without suffi-
cent foundation. President Grants habits, as far
as am able to learn, aud as firmly believe, are
exemplary in every respect. He is q gentleman
ia his bearing, officially and socially, always mani
Testing great intelligence, both in conversation
and In the discharge Of his official duties. He has
not always appointed great men to civil stations,
but very few can be named who are destitute OF
respectable talents, and as rule they are honest
and faithful. And, In this connection, al
low to say that our government is so
SIMPLE in Its form and machinery that
great talents are not absolutely necessary to Sc
cure success In its administration. Hence, honesty
aud industry, supported by medium talents IN
public station, ought to be satisfactory to the
people. therefore think it would be wise, taking
al into consideration, to continue this adminstra
tion another term, and l predict the people will
so decide. That President Grant has made some
mistakes I freely admit; but, as they were
mistakes and not Intentional errors, the presump-
avoided in the future. And 1t lis by no means
certain TINT any of our greatest and most expe-
rienced statesmen would not, il In his situation,
have committed errors equally grave. That the
government is, on the whole, being carefully and
prudently administered and the laws faithfully en-
forced, without cluster, furry, fear, favor or
Affection" no one can truthfuny deny. The
honest and faithful collection Of the revenue has
enabled the government to reduce the public
debt at 0 rate below ten millions Of dollars
per month, on an average, since the date OF
President Grants Inauguration, and warranted
Congress to greatly reduce the rate Of taxation.
This ought to be satisfactory But there are those
who desire to break down the administration for
the purpose Of advancing their own interests; and
/ regret to add that some Of them are shining
lights in the republican party. As to changes
and proposed changes In Office to which you refer
need only say that, 30 far as they have occurred
] am of the opinion the service has been improved.
There are, OF course, some exceptions. would
not, with my limited information, have recalled
Mr.. Motley; but no 0ne can find fault with Mr..
Frelinghuysen bis successor. The latter ia not,
probably, the equal Of the former in the feld Of
battle; but Mr.. Motley is hardly the equal Of the
latter In jurisprudence and statesmanship. Per-
soDaly am satisfied with President Grants ad-
ministraton. Taking II all In ell l doubt If any
one Of our leading statesmen Of greater preten.
si0ns would improve IL. I have felt such sense
Of safety and security for oil our free INST.
ofioe, such freedom from soaiotude and anxiety
which pursued me day and night, for two years
preceding, like an omen Of evil that feel like
protesting against change, unless for the gravest
ressons. 1t is true, as you state, that some inu-
ential public journals Of republican politics have
sssailed President Grant but, they have assailed
Congress with equal recklessness; and, In each
case, rs think, without sufficient reasons. Ihe
conductors Of papers are, like the rest of u.s. only
human. They have their likes and disllkes, and
are not always wise enough to suppress the spirit
Of fault-fndng, especially when disappointed In
their personal aspirations. / believe have now
traversed all your inquiries, answering them
frankly as you requested. With great respect,
yours truly JAMES HARLAN.