The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-06-21

NotWltnstanulnR the repehteu pestOWh VI
important Offices by Gen. GRANT in return
for gifts made to himself, we confess
that we are surprised by report which
comes to us from q responsible source, and
which we lay before our readers In another
column. II relates to an alleged present
Just mnde TO Gen. GRANT by number of
gentlemen who are already employed in the
public service or who are willing to be, of
paid-up life insurance policy FOR $4,000. The
statement that an effort WINS on foot 10 collect
the money necessary TO offer this douceur to
Gen. GRANT has for some days been current.
It was first brought to public notice, VIC be-
lieve, by the Boston Post. That journal al
legged that the brotherin.lew Of one Of Gen.
GRANTS Secretaries had been sent over the
country with letter Of introduction, asking
subscriptions for the purpose Of buying this
policy for the President. Our correspondent,
however, asserts that the sum required for
The purpose has for some days been made
mp; that the policy has been issued by tho
Equitable Company Of this city; and that
the money was furnished by employees in
The Custom House and Post Office, and by
other gentlemen who, for various reasons
have been DESTROYS of securing special
hvor at the White House.
We give place to this communication, be-
cause the character Of tho writer by whom IL
ls brought to us renders ii impossible for us to
reject it. And yet we say frankly that we
would thousand times rather see 1t proved
false than true. 1t was bad enough and dis
gusting enough when the expenses of AN.
DREW JoHNsoN's crusade about the country,
swinging around the circle and making alb
surd and incendiary speeches at every stop
pingplace, were all levied upon unlucky
ofice-holders, and when a man who refused
to contribute was at once dismissed from his
place. But of that form OF PRESIDENTIAL
tlackmail it could at least be said that the
proceeds were intended for sort of public
use the money was raised TO enable the
President to visit his constituents and to ad-
dress them upon important public questions
The exnction was scandalous but the pur-
pose for which the money was employed was
one that public man need not blush TO avow
But in the present instance there is no such
palliation The blackmail now said to he ex.
acted is not for any public use it is intended
solely and simply to add TO the considerable
wealth which President GRANT has already
acquired, and acquired mainly by gifts. Un-
ill now, however, 1t has not been increased
by extortions from the small salaries of
clerks and tide-waiters.
But as we have said, we earnestly desire
that this report should be proved to be false
There is public indignation enough toward
the President and q sufficient burden of dis
grace upon his shoulders, without this add
ton. But we still more desire that the state
ment of our correspondent that Gen. HoRAcT
PoETER, one of the military secretaries OF
the President. has himself urged that the sub
scription should be expedited, 30 that the sun
demanded could be promptly handed owe
TO the President, shall be proved to be doubl.
false. Gen. PORTER was gallant and mel
itorious officer in the war. His conduct sine
heha been connected with the White Hous
has sometimes been found fault with, but W
believe unjustly and IL would be seriou
misfortune TO the military service and to tn
good character OF the young men Of the cour
try, If it should appear that he has been
party to q transaction of such a nature @
this. Let us still hope that the story is nc
true.
What course Congress may see fit to tai
in regard to this subject, we will not antiC
pate. 1t is certain, however, that II any ia
of this nature could have been proved again
ANDREW JOHNSON in the spring of 1868,
would have been impossible by any meal
90 obtain favorable votes enough in the Sc
ate to save him from the most disgracef
punishment that the nation could inf
upon an impeached and convicted Presider