The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-09-03
Does Grant Drln0 too Much2

J. T. Warrington, of Pennsylvania, in
a letter to Rev. G. W Denison, of
Washington, wants to know whether
president Grant is drinking man? Is
he Incorporate ?" To which Mr.. Deni-
ison replies:
OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL HARB1NaERJ
WASHINGTON, D c.. july 80, 1872
My DEAR SIR: am this morning in
receipt of your letter of the 2Sth inst,
asking for the exact truth with regard to
the drinking habits Of President Grant
In giving you the information OF the
facts that are known to exist in this i'm
portant National matter, allow me to
premise that have always. at all times,
and in all places, been friend of our
Chief magistrate. @ ..-..
was one of the first to advocate his
being brought from his command at the
West to the front Of Richmond.
wrote book of his life, known as
"The Tanner Boy" which had wide
circulation.
was extremely anxious TO vindicate
him on the temperance question, and was
glad on his coming to Washington to
learn that for one year Immediately pre-
ceding and connected with his inau gura.
ton he almost entirely abstained from
the habitual use of strong drink
1t was during this period, and for a
short interim succeeding, that he was re
cogrized in the manner spoken of by
the excellent woman (Mrs. Mary J. R.
Buell. to whom you refer in your letter.
| But l regret to be under the necessity
Of informing you that an unfavorable
change has come over the personal hab-
its of President Grant in THIS respect.
am solemnly bound in honor to say,
from the facts of which ] have posses
sion, that no consistent temperance man
can support him.
1t cannot be denied in Washington
that he has, on several occasions, been
seen under the influence of liquor. The
times and places can be specified if they
are demanded. The parties who have
seen him in this condition can be pro-
duced.
In a conversation last winter with Sen.
ator Henry Wilson, that gentleman said
to me:
president Grant drinks too much"
and concluded with the remark:
81 have told him so"
Senator Wilson will not deny this
fact.
Many similar facts can be adduced
A gentleman we'll and favorably
known in ashington, ,one who has long
occupied a public position at the Nation.
al Capital, informs me that on the night
Immediately following the last grea,
speech of Senator Sumner, two respect.
able citizens walking together In Jackson
Square, encountered President Grant
He was in state of intoxication, his
hat was slouehed over his eyes, he had
a lighted cigar in his mouth, and lie was
staggering along, muttering to himself.
The names of all these parties are al
command. ..
| Another Washington resident, of un.
Iimpeachable veracity. has also informed
me, within the last ten days, that there is
good evidence for stating that the rea'
reason why President Grant made such
a hurried exit from the capital for Long
Branch, when so much important public
business demanded his attention, anG
when several Senators and Representa-
tives were SO bitterly disappointed at no,
seeing him, according to appointments
be himself had made, was this: that he
was so much under the influence o
liquor that he was not ct for interviews
in the Executive Mansion.
/ Names of responsible parties are q
hand who will substantiate this state
ment,
j A scholar Of established reputation
and high moral character writes, withir
a short time past, to one Of the mos
distinguished men of the country, ol
!, this subject of the. drinking habits o
President Grant The letter is dated al
Cambridge. Massachusetts, and I hav,
beer permitted to copy from it the fact
that are well known TO many,to wit, tina
the last appearance cf President Gran
, in connection with the exercises Of Har
ward University wasssuch as to excite
general feeling of snxiety and DISCUS
among all who witnessed it. He was
carefully observed by those Immediately
around him, and the aspects of his inc
briefly cannot be mistaken.
. An old resident of the city OF Balti
more, Maryland, only few weeks ago
accompanied a party of friends to tn
Presidential Mansion, where, on beins
i. admitted to an audience with Presiden
, Grant, they found him to be so mucl
) under the influence of liquor that the,
} Immediately closed the interview anc
withdrew
An officer in the civil service, now
permanent inhabitant of Washington
states that during one of his trips on
steamer from New York to the East
President Grant was known by severa
parties to be excited by strong drink t
, a disgusting extent.
Should any Of these facts be deniet
by responsible parties the proof will b
produced I make these statements wit
sincere regret.
am accountable to my God for th
truth OF every word
remain, dear sir, your obedient ser
f want,
CHARLES WHEELER DENIsoN,
Editor and proprietor of the Nationa
Harbinger, Washington, d. c.
j. T. Warrington, Esq Carboudale, Pa
In what way does a lady treat ma
like telescope? When she draws hin
out. looks him throughj and then shuts