Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1872-02-08
A Democrats Opinion Of General
III. (SPamt. -s

ss Grant.
The abuse and ridicule which weak
minded editors and politicians heap upon
President Grant has had the effect Of de-
cidedly strengthening him in the estima-
tion of the people, as it did President LIN
coin. MIR. Roosevelt, a prominent Dem
ocratie member of Congress, and the edi-
tor of The Citizen, the ablest Democratic
paper of New York, has recently read his
| political friends a lecture upon the sub
ject. Mr.. Roosevelt is exceedingly anx-
ious that his party should succeed in the
coming Presidential campaign, and to
that end has w.itten in the last number of
his paper long article entitled "Grant's
Chances in which in the gentlest way
possible he gives some sensible sugges-
tions to his friends.
Mr.. Roosevelt says:
at is the mistaken idea of some per-
sons to belittle General Grants ability
to run down his qualifications, and to un-
derrate his mental requirements" In
stead of this Mr.. Roosevelt thinks that
President Grant is one of the shrewdest
managers of the day. not only as leader
in the war to which he first gave favora-
ble turn, but as manipulation in politics
he has shown remarkable skill.
The Rebels continually took the same
view that the Democrats are taking now,
and denounced the Union General as an
ignoramus every time he won victory
over them, and the more effectually he
crushed their armies the more clearly
they proved that he was utterly inconipe-
tent as a military commander, and entire
ly unequal to the task which he had as
sumed." 4 -.t--
Mr.. Roosevelt is also free to confess
s'that the President uses his power witha
wisdom and discretion which are sure to
effect the end in view," and that during
the last three years his political strength
has increased" - ~ - - -
e In an analysis of the Presidents chara-
cter he+sayss JAs -yf.s-3-5.tf q rll ~
"People who do not know President
Grant intimately describe him as 'sphy-
nx'-a silent. unsocial person. Nothing
could be further from the truth, and here
is where a4series of blunders commences.
Surprising as the assertion may appear,
President grant is eminentiy social he is
jovial. merry, talkative, full of fun and
geniality, and alright pleasant companion )"
but "he viii stop in the midst Of the live
liest conversation if he finds that his IN
terlocutor has a purpose under his pleas
antry. and if he suspects that some OBJ
ject is to be attained he assumes his air of
stolidity at once. Before any brilliant
gentleman belittles tho President for this
habit let him think how much annoyance
it has saved him.
lie is kiRd-hearted, and, being totally
unaccustomed to reserve, he would have
had difficulty in maintaining the dignity
of his position without resort to some such
plan as be hasadopted.' .3EA
These are pleasant words to hear from
a political adversary as strong and able as
the editor of The Citizen, and make one
feel as if the political millennium were
almost at hand.
~ Mr. Roosevelt gives reason for his
course-that it is ''one of the greatest fol-
lies to underrate an adversary" and that
the defeat of the Republican party will
never be brought about by contemptuous
rcyilings of its candidate"