Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-07-12
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NO. l6k.
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PRESIDENT GRANT As A NAN.

~, writes 10 the New York Independent
as follows: 70 gag t8wss
| am satisfied with General Grant as a
President. Though not politician, l
think can see that he has more than full
filled all his pledges; that he has shown
himself friend of peace, domestic and
foreign, OF reform in the civil service, and
OF economy. As a citizen thank him for
it. He has not seemed to ME to be
politician but straightforward, simple
minded, sensible man, doing the best IN
his power for his eountry.sm
But want to speak. of him in this ar
ticle as man-as Il resident Of Washing
ton. citizen Of the county of which he
is President. 4 public man lives two
lives: one in the eye of the public, one
viewed with references to great public
questions; and another in the retirement
OF domestic and social circles. And it is
OF this last that | want here to speak.
want to thank President Grant for his
open and openly expressed interest in re-
| llglous things. He believes in the Bible
and the Savior, and the Christion religion.
He loves and honors such men as General
Howard. During the recent investigation
instigated by Fernando Wood and others.
some one said at the dinner table in thu
White House But what if they prove The
! charges ?'' The President replied I'm not
believe them If witnesses can be found
to swear to them. Men may be mistaken.
may perjure themselves !; but know Gen
eral Howard. He Is man incapable of
doing What he thinks to be wrong" One
OF the few Instances when he has departed
from his usual silence ON public occasions
was to say to the young men in conven-
ton here last year II believe YOU to be
honest men, convened here for worthy
purpose. And one of the most remark.
able illustrations OF how, to some minds,
even the nations Chief Executive belongs
to party, was the objection privately
made at the close Of this meeting to Civ
ing three cheers for the President, even
though the compliment had Just been
paid to Queen Victoria!
President Grant has had pastor, and
pew in the sanctuary, and is faithful
hearer of the Word Of Life. And know
that to his pastor he gave this reason for
not nominating prominent sporting edi-
tor, strongly urged upon him to certain
foreign position: II could not offend the
Christian sentiment of this country" The
selection OF such men as George H. Stuart
and Felix Brunot for the Iudian Commis
sion is another illustration of the same
regard for Christian people. As Chris.
tan minister. and in the name of Christian
men and women all over the country,
thank him for *.
| President Grant, too, is a domestic man.
He loves his family and loves to he with
them. [ had occasion to ask him to he
present at IL peace meeting lately held in
this city. His reply was: "Sunday morn
,.,.<
ways want to spend with my family Still
l will be there il can" The same thing
was Illustrated in New York, in his de-
clining military demonstration in his
honor, that he might see his daughter on
board the steamer for Europe. And
want to say, in this connection, that what
wine he drinks at the White House is pre-
pared for him by his wife and under advice
of his physician. He is not a teetotaler;
but he is 4; very moderate eater and drink.
er. He has no habit Of drinking to which
he is slave. One who has access to him
at all times. andWho has seen him on all
occasions, in Washington and at Long
Branch assures Inc of this. Aud it only
corroborates the result OF. my own obser-
vation of the man. He is man. who.
more than most men, is an illustration Of
tut W rus VI tuC ~ duk
man offend not in word. the same Is able
also to bride the whole body" A man
who can put the curb upon his tongue as
President Grant has done is not likely to
be Il slave to any habit of eating or drink
ing. am quite sure, too, that the Vice
President, who is tcetotaler and an elo-
quent advocate Of that principle, has ex-
pressed similar confidence in the Prcsi-
dents selt-goyernment and power TO gov
ern himself.
A friend lately wrote me from Vermont,
inquiring whether the current stories that
political enemies are circulating respect
, lug President Grants social habits have
anv foundation So far as can observe,
so far as can learn from men, themselves
teetotalcrs, who have frequent access to
| him, there is not one shadow OF foundation
for them. wish he did not smoke, as the
Vice President does not But if he takes
only so much wine as his medical aivis-
er prescribes; ii, further, he only does
what is so much the custom in fashionable
circles in Washington, and what som,
self-styled advocates of temperance do
namely, occasionally drink u glass of wine
at weddings. or at the house OF a afriend-
much as all strict temperance people must
iuAANAt ~ tt - hot ouSl ittuit lc tO In&kt
them overlook his great virtues and ser-
vices, his modesty, his purity OF life, and
avowed friendship for whatever is good
As to whether he will be renominated al
Philadelphia, let the politicians canvass
the political aspects OF the subject; but
let not Christian men, temperance men, be
too eager to believe reports which are
wholly calumnious, and which are only
I..I Il ~.
of the moral and religious element In the
republican party. Ii republicans are not
all teetotalers, is it worth while to adopt
the suicidal policy OF helping to power
men to whom, in fact, whiskey drinking
is rather Recommendation than disqual-
ification Judge Blank, a possible candi-
date for President. may be ateetoaaier ana
a professed Christian; but have republi-
cans any votes to throw away on men who
have not the ghost of chance to be elect
ed hewever their private virtues Nigh,