Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-10-01
'saa- -a'4T -'-sae'''- --
The lie IL no more q

| lie IMAM II mas always been, but It Is re-
peated by a gentleman who believes it to
be the simple truth, and who, believing
it, evidently regards it as an index to the
character of the man whom he opposes.
| Now 1t is worth while, when there is
responsible individual to whom by name
contradiction can be made, to say that
the story is unqualifedly false. SO long
as il was used for electioneering purposes
as part of the tactics of the campaign, it
was no more worthy Of notice than the
thousand and one other falsehoods which
are told, and to unravel and contradict
which il would take. not presidential
campaign merely, but presidential term
not four months, but four years. But
when an honest and honorable man of de-
seryedly large influence puts his name to
it, and avows his belief in il, and gives it
as the reason tor his political course, then
it is worth while, for the sake of simple
truth and justice, to state the real facts
and give to him the information which. no
doubt, he will be glad to get.
Whatever property General Grant owns
at Long Branch he bought with his own
money. Not foot of land nor stick of
timber there was given him by anybody.
The story that present of a cottage there
was made to him has this foundation and
this only: Certain property holders at
Long Branch thought it would be good
thing ifthe President could be induced to
make that watering place his permanent
summer residence. To this end a paper
was handed about early in General Grants
presidential term, among few wealthy
gentlemen, for subscriptions. The inn
propriety of such proceeding. however,
and the injury it would be to the President
were almost Immediately pointed ont, and
it was at once dropped. 1t was scheme
of landowners. and not of Office seekers,
and was never consumlnated. No land
or house was bought, and no money was
ever given for that purpose. When sub
sequcntly General Grant bought cottage
at Long Branch, he bought and paid for
it as any other gentleman might. with his
own money, without one cent contributed
directly OF indirectly, to that purchase by
anybody else, and with no other induce
ment than that the place was agreeable
to him as summer retreat.
Has no money, then, ever been given to
President Grant, No; so far as we know
and believe, after careful inquiry, not one
dollar since he was President. After the
close of the war, when the whole country
was mindful of the gratitude due to the
great soldier who had brought that wal
to successful and glorious end, fund
was raised by very general subscription
and presented to him as an expression Of
r that gratitude. These subscriptions were
begun as early as 1865, and were closed
in 1866, year before Grant was talked
of as President, two years before he was
chosen. 1t was gift that was gracefully
| given and properly accepted. To make
this gift seem to cover the story of the
other, the date of the letter accepting il
was altered from 1866 to 1869 and so pub
lished.
, Such is the whole story of Grants gift
| taking; such the feeble tissue of misrep-
resentation out of which has been woven
that whole cloth of lies. The truth must
prevail at last, and the very persistency
with which these falsehoods have been
and are insisted upon has served to dis
pei them, and 10 show General Grant te
be worthy of that confidence and esteem
as an honorable and upright man, which
his best friends have always felt for him