The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-10-11

temperate man
Now which Is correct ?
Now, my reverend and dear sir, rs
you are u true, fearless and outspoken
temperance man, a loyal prohibitionist,
the editor Of o national prohibition
Journal, and defender of truth and
justice, would respectfully ask that
you give to the world, through the col.
umns of your excellent paper, what you
| know about President Grants drink
ing habits.
| Let us have the truth.
Yours, faithfully,
j. II. WARRINGTON.
CARBoNDALE, Luzorno county, PA.
MIR. DENIsoN's REPLY-THE PRESIDENT
OF FTHE UNITED STATES Is AN IN
TEMPERATE MAN.
OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL HAI-
BINaER, WASHINGTON, d. c., July
80, ls72.-1Ly Dear Sir : 1 am this NOR.
ming 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
important 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 iwide
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
preceding and connected with his in
auguration 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
recognized in the manner spoken of by
the excellent woman MRS. Mary j..
r. Buel) to whom you refer in your
letter.
But 1 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 re.
spect.
am solemnly bound in honor to say,
| from the facts of which 1 have possess
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 ofliquor. The
times and places can be specified if they
are denied. The parties who have seen
him in this condition can be prOduc-
ed.
In conversation last winter with
Senator Henry Wilson, the gentleman
said to me:
president Grant drinks too much !"
and concluded with the remark
have told him so."
Senator Wilson will not deny this
fact.
Many similar facts can be ad.
duced.
A gentleman well and favorably
known in Washington, one who has
long occupied a public position at the
national capital, informs me that on the
night Immediately following the last
great speech of Senator Sumner, two
respectable citizens, walking together
in Jackson square, encountered Presi-
dent Grant.
He was in a state of intoxication, his
hat was slouched over his eyes, he had
lighted cigar in his mouth, and he
was staggering along nut tering to him.
self.
The names Of all these parties are at
command.
Another Washington resident, of
unimpeachable veracity, has also in
formed me, within the last ten days,
that there is good evidence for stating
that the real reason why President
Grant made such hurried exit from
the capital for Long Branch, when so
much important public business de-
manded his attention, and when sew
eral Senators and representatives were
so bitterly disappointed at not meeting
him, according to appointments he him.
self had made, was this, that he was so
much under the influence of liquor that
he was not fit for interviews in the Ex-
ecutive Mansion.
Names of responsible parties are at
hand who will substantiate this state
ment.
A scholar of establi shed reputation
and high moral character writes, with
in short time past, to one of the most
distinguished men of the country on
| this subject of the drinking habits of
President Grant. The letter is dated
at Cambridge, Mass, and | have been
permitted to copy from 1t the facts that
are well known to many, to wit,
that the last appearance of President
Grant in connection with the exercises
of Harvard University, was such as to
excite general feeling of anxiety and
disgust among all who witnessed it,
He wrs carefully observed by those
Immediately around him, and the as
poets of his inebriety cannot be mis-
taken.
| An old resident of the city Of Balti-
more, Nd, only few weeks ago ac.
companied a party Of friends to the
Presidential mansion, were, on being
admitted to an audience with Presi-
dent Grant, they found him TO be so
much under the influence of liquor that
they Immediately closed the interview
and withdrew.
An officer in the civil service, now a
permanent inhabitant Of Washington,
states that during one of his trips ON a