The Portland daily press., 1872-03-04
Filings and Sneers.


1t is constantly asserted-but constant as
sertion does not establish fact-that the Re-
publicans who favor the denomination of the
President are bitterly intolerant of those who
do not. Yet it would seem upon a careful
reading OF newspapers and speeches that the
Republicans who oppose the denomination
have at least an equal chance of expressing
themselves, and that the chances are improv-
ed. 1t is, however, natural that those who
love the cause more than any man, and who
believe that the welfare Of the country de-
pends very much upon Republican success,
should hear with dissatisfaction unmeasured
denunciation of the Administration and of all
who support it. Why should every sneer at
the President be assumed to be sincere and
unprejudiced, and every suspicion cast upon
the Administration most justifiable? If an
lnsinuation against the Chief Magistrate is
Indignantly challenged or repelled, "Whatp'
is the lofty reply, NIs this a Roman Caesar,
who can do no wrong?' No, lie is not Ro-
man Caesar, but he is an American gentleman
entitled to fair play. I.is--
The people of the country who do not per-
sonally know the President must Judge him
by his words and acts. 1t is skillful sophis-
try which charges him with every evil that
"oy dPpCdl III ana re-
fuses him the credit of all the good. He is a
criminal or cypher, as the exigencies of his
opponents may demand. ''But why is it that
certain gentlemen are known as his friends,
ana certain others as his enemies ?' is a cues
ton often asked; ''and why, when his policy
Is opposed, are some opponents treated as en-
emies while others still remain friends?'
The reply is not far to seek. Some of his
Warmest friends opposed the San Domingo
hrnf fInxr a Il
represented it as a mistake of policy, upon
which there coufd be natsrsl-asad harronni.
Gus differences of opinion. The result show
ed that it was not mere opposition to his poll
cy which occasioned alienation. But when
his motives and character are impugned in
opposition, why should there not be feeling
upon his part? A President must be silent
when he is aspersed. Is it not all the more a
duty OF honor in party opponents not to as
perse him?
30 certain Senators are warmly, even con-
temptuously, opposed to civil service reform.
which the President favors. But their rela
tions probably continue friendly, although it
Is clear that if they denounced him as the root
OF all official corruption those relations could
not fall to be disturbed. A President, it is
said, ought not so quarrel. But has a Sena-
tor, the constitutional adviser of the President
on many occasions, no similar duty? There
are Senators who oppose as well as who favor
his policy of civil service reform who are upon
friendly terms with the President. That
point is not determined by sympathy with
MS views. There are Others Senators who
honestly think and frankly say that the Presi-
dent dlsgraces his office. Is it surprising that
they are not upon friendly terms with him.
even II they are friends of civil service re-
form?
Inc country can also easily understand
that thousand tales are told of the President
which are simply false. They are repeated.
and emphasized and enlarged until they are
accepted as true, and one such fact, as it is
called, is supposed to indicate myriad more
OF the same kind. There is, for instance, the
dull SANDER about the Seneca stone quarry.
1t represents the President as deeply interest
ed In quarry for which contracts for govern
nent works are obtained by his influence,
which are enormously profitable to him. This
IS the story industriously repeated. The fact
Is that SIX or seven years ago Gen. Grant in
vested some money--which we believe nobody
ever alleged to be dishonesty eaned-in a |
'tone quarry, from which he has never receiv-
I'd any dividend whatever. We have heard |
he same kind of story told of Gen. Logan in
'egard to some Chicago lots. ''He grew rich
n the army, did he?' asks Mrs. Candour,
With shrug of her moral shoulders. No. |
madam; he invested in land some of his small |
savings from his Generals pay. The sum
was very small and the terms of payment very
easy, and the land rapidly rose in value; and,
rs every man who honors one of the bravest
and most skillful soldiers of the war will be
glad to know, the General has the legitimate
benefit of his bargain. FE.I |
We do not believe that the people of the
United States hear with patience these inces-
'ant filings at President whom the most |
elaborate ingenuity has failed to stain even |
With suspicion. He is exhorted to conciliate |
md to Shave peace" and we are told that
,ther Presidents did not permit quarrels. |
How was it with President Pierce and Mr..
douglas, and with Mr.. Douglas and President
3uchanan? Mr.. Calhoun withdrew from
PRESIDENT Jackson. Senator Wade and Mr..
Winter Davis declared against President Lin |
'oln, and how many Senators heartily favored |
lis denomination? The diplomacy of affect
ng to like those who have, as he thinks, de- |
AIMED him, or that of trusting those in whom |
lie has lost confidence, the President does not
'ossess. 1t may be his misfortune, but we
oubt if the country will charge it upon him