New-York tribune., 1872-07-17
MP SMLTH,H POSITION.

MIR. Smith OF Ihe IlnclhRdH ud|ettC, d gun
tleman whose true goodness has formed for
some years a theme of light and envious re-
mark for worldly minded newspapers, has been
greatly troubled by seeing a report that he
thought some other candidate would be better
for the Republicans than Gen. Grant. He
saws of the rumor, "It had not the shade of
"a shadow Of foundation in fact. This is the
"way Greeley capital is manufactured" 1t is
sometimes a characteristic of men whose rea-
soning faculties are not as highly developed as
their moral natures, that they imagine the
whole scheme of Providence to be arranged
with reference to their own individual behoof
and salvation. Mr.. Smith evidently is con-
vinced that the whole country recognizes the
fact that the party must win which gains the
weghty sanction of his name. 1t is easy for
him TO believe the Liberal party has resorted
to the desperate device of forgery to enjoy
even for q guilty moment the advan-
tage which would accrue to them by
the rumor that Mr. Smith was wayer-
ing in his allegiance to General Grant.
We can hardly agree with Mr.. Smith in his
estimate of the grave character of this rumor,
and we are equally unable to regard it as so
improbable story that we must resort to the
theory of forgery to account for it. 1t was so
intrnsically likely that Mr. Smith should
repudiate Grant, that such acquaintance in
journalism as thought it of sufficient i'm
portance probably copied it as matter OF
course. No paper has spoken OF Gen.
Grant and his party with more deserved sever
ity than this Cincinnati Gazette. which now
considers it fiat. burglary to criticise him.
During that portion of Gen. Grants career
which is always spared from attack by the
journals and historians of the opposition, The
Gazette was distinguished among all the Western
papers for its blisterng copmentaries upon his
military exploits and capacity. SO unreserved
and so cutting were its animadversons as to
arouse the just paternal indignation of the
venerable Postmaster of Covington, who
"'lowed that Dick Smith abused Ulysses be-
cause he would MT furnish rations for nothin
"to The Gazette reporters" and signed his
name to the charge. We hope and believe
this was not true. We are convinced that
Gen. Grants praiseworthy economy of hard
tack was not the cause of The Gazette'S praise
worthy severity of criticism, but that both
actions had their origin in rigid regard for
the interests of the public.
Since Gen. Grant became President, The Ga
,ette has not always observed an attitude of
that unfinching loyalty which is required at
the White House. Mr.. Smith may have a
constitutional inability TO think disrespect
fully of a man who is in actual possession of
power. But the rule Of the Executive Man
sion is, If you love me, you must love my
"dogn no matter how ill-favored is the cur
who is coming in for this vicarious affection.
As many Custom house clerks have come to
ruin for evil speaking of Conkling as for
blasphemy of Grant. Now, The Gazette has
dealt very despitefully with some of the
prime favorites of the President. 1t was The
Gazette which prepared such tribulatiOn for
Senator Harlan, one of the Household Sena-
tors, and kept it up with such endless vigor and
bitterness that to this hour the people of Ohio
are torn by doubts whether Mr. Harlan is the
most dishonest or Mr.. Smith the most libel
Gus of men. In many instances has this now
loyal RenOminationist spoken with most re-
stand near the President He has suddenly,
for reasons which no doubt would be perfectly
satisfactory if they were known, concluded to
support Gen. Grant with impetuous devotion.
This is certainly his right, and we can only
regret that his own natural temperament has
so much of canine fidelity in it that his con-
science will not permit him TO worship his
idol without snarling at all who do not. But
he must not lightly accuse of fabrication the men
who, remembering What hs bas said any 10y he