Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-05-17
THE PRESIDENT AND HIS CRITICS"

Under the above caption, the Boston
Adrerttscr of late date has an editorial
which will be generally endorsed by the
thinking men of the country When
President Grant announced in his inau-
gural address, that he would have no policy
to enforce against the will of the people,
IL was perhaps regarded by great many as
a thoughtless promise, made only to be
broken. But his entire Presidential career
shows that he has always kept that prom
ise In view. This, in fact, is the secret of
his popularity with the people, for as a
correspondent Of the Cincinnati CONNER
ctdt says, he is popular with the people
but not favorite among politicians. We
have had Presidents before who promised
great Difference TO the will Of the people,
but, as the AdVertiser says, "they really
cared much more for the will Of a coterie
Of Virginians or q coterie Of contractors or
office-holders, or of the managers of par
ticular party"
President Grant, having the highest con-
fidence in the judgment of the people, has
made their wishes his study, and, really,
there are few men in this country who
have shown so much proficiency i'm q
study. He made no rash promises as to
what he would do and brilliant admin
istration was hardly expected, but in his
quiet, plodding way he has gone on, first
doing one thing WEIGH covered his admin
istration with popular favor and then
ANOTHER, until his critics, who, II few
months ago were numerous rs well as un-
scrupulous, are hiding their heads and
him praise. We will only instance the
San Domingo question, upon which he
was perhaps, as soundly abused by pro-
fessed friends and open foes, as any Presi-
dent ever was. He pursued the even tenor
of his way until the Commissioners pre-
sented their report, fully acquitting him of
the charges that had been made by his enc
mics. He accompanied this report with a
plain message, which was understood by
all, and the spirit of which was universal
ly commended. His critics seem to
have been struck dumb, for we have heard
very little from them on the subject since
His policy is to administer the laws in ac-
w I'LL lllC MlSllCS Va tilS
and by quietly pursuing such policy he
disarms his foes and, almost unwittingly to
himself, drives them from their untenable
positions. The people have cause to be
proud of him, and especially has the party
which elected him cause for congratulation
on the success of his administrations With
reference TO his relations to the party, the
Advertiser has the following sensible re-
marks:
THE Republican party has gained at the
hands of General Grant more than it dared ask
for, ali that it had right to hope for, and much
more than its enemies expected. He has sup
posed, 1t is true, that President of the United
States had some privileges and duties as woll as
some responsibilities. He has not accepted the
convenient theory that the President of the
United States is only an otfice-clerk of the Cen
trail Republican Committee or an officer spe-
eially appointed to countersign documents sent
down to him from the departments. He has
maintained q careful personal knowledge of the
| condition and requirements of the various States
| of the Union. He might be said to be his own
Secretary of the Interor,-so wide has been his
| correspondence and so correct his information.
He has had theories, such as a military man
| might be expected to have, with regard to the
suppression of disorder He does not mean to
| be President of n country in which four or five
millions of his fellow-citzens have no right.
| whatever. He watches the country, means tc
have peace in the country, and believes thai
| peace IS to be maintained, if needful, by
| strong hand. In these opinions tho intelligent
| sense of the country is with him. We doubt i
the Republican party will find for itself any