Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-02-23


But few public men have been pursued
more relentlessly and unscrupulously than
President Grant His official acts have
been severely criticized, his personal mo-
tives impugned and his integrity ques-
toned at every opportunity. Being man
of strong will, acting in most instances in
dependently and upon his own knowledge
| and motion, he has, of course, incurred
bitter opposition and provoked hostile and
| unfriendIy criticism. In no public act was
/ this kind of attack and criticism more
| noticeable than in the San Domingo mat
ter. From the beginning, his course has
been assailed with violence and all kinds
of charges made as to his motives and in
| tentions. His enemies forgetting, or igno-
rant of the fact, that the annexation of
that island has been for many years advo-
Gated by some of the ablest and purest pub
lie men of both political parties, ignored
entirely the merits of the policy and at
once charged him with the grossest cor
ruption and meanest motives. His official
household was dragged in for part of this
abuse, and by some of his bitterest oppo-
nents, it was ridiculously charged that he
and his associates had large interests in
real estate in SANTANA Bay. Some in their
zeal and indiscretion were silly enough
allege that ON the shores Of the bay, lots
were staked off and marked with little
boards, "Grant, !" 'Babcock" & Co. Tri-
fling and improbable as these charges were,
they We're, nevertheless, eagerly circula-
ted by the opposition press, and, we sup
posed, credited by many unrefecting
readers.
But the Presidents enemies were first
discounted and confused by his choice of
Commissioners. They were men so far
above reproach or suspicion, such eminent
patriots and fearless, Independent thinkers,
that their appointment at once disarmed
all hostility, and heaped reproach upon his
malignant critics. They have gone on
their mission determined to do their duty,
and the country, conscious of their integri-
ty and patriotism, will accept their state
ments as truthful, and entitled to the great
est considerations.
But what is the first message they send
back over the wires from the Island? They
have already been at SANTANA Bay, and in
vestigated the title to the land on its
shores. I" A full investigation made into
the ownership of the land around the har-
Dor shows that no United States official is
involved in any private transactions there
whatever" They found no lots staked off
and marked Grant" Babcock " & Co.
but they did find, to use their own lam
guage, that "Fabeus and associates, and
O'Sullivan, have a perpetual lease, at a
nominal price, of nealy all of the available |
water front around the harbor of Samana.n
1t was hardly necessary, we know, to
refute these ISLANDERS to satisfy sensible |
men of their falsty or malice, but we are
glad that from such men as compose the |
commission these falsehonds and mean
suggestions are answered.
AS it is in reference to San Domingo, so
it will prove in other things. The Presi- |
dent does not claim to be infalIible, but he |
is an honest, fearless man, and a wise, con-
scientious ruler, as the people will learn
those of them who do not already know it. |