The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-05-23
The Presidential Crime.

The Presidential Crime.
A morning paper, having run the
gamut OF charges against the President,
has returned to the old complaint that
he is neglecting the public business for
his own comfort and amusement We
do not care to hurry in the defense of
an official who requires no vindication-
whose acts have been sufficient answer
to all the ISLANDERS that have been heaped
upon him but we call attention to the
revival of this silly charge to expose the
inconsistency of the paper making it,
and to illustrate the fact that the
searcher for scandal, falsehood, and
defamation will never be at loss for
material out of which to manufacture
charges so long as acts of ordinary prac-
tice are torturedinto grave improprieties,
and the simplest performances of duty
clothed with deep and designing signif-
canoe. The silly charge that the Presi-
dent is neglecting his duties to go about
the country has been answered time and
again, and yet the independent" paper
referred to presumes SO much upon the
ignorance of its readers as to repeat
the assertion that nowhere, save in his
office III Washington, can the President
attend to the affairs committed to his
trust.
There is no better way in which the
President can demonstrate his good
sense and practical desire to serve the
country than by visiting the people,
hearing from them their wants, observ-
ing their necessities, and shaping his
course accordingly. For this reason we
hoped he would find it possible to make
an extended trip through the South,
which we trust he will yet be able to do.
Though other Presidents, from Wash
ington down-save in the greatest mo-
ments of peril-have taken occasion to
retire from their cares at Washington,
Gen. Grant is the first who has descend
ed from the fancied dignity that sur
round the office to mingle freely with
the people of every part of the country.
He has clothed the Office with republi-
can simplicity eminently fitted to our
democratic ideas he meets every citi-
zen as an equal, leveling all distinctions,
and extending his hand to rich and
poor, humble ana distinguished alike.
He has been absent from Washington,
after six months of unremitting toll, for
two weeks, and during that time has
visited portions of the West, calling at
his old home, mingling with his old
nelghbors, and at last, on his way TO
the capital, stopping for a few days to
look upon the marvel of rebuilt city,
and congratulate Chicago on emerging
from the darkness in which she was
plunged but few months ago by an
unparalleled calamity. There was no
parade in all this-a public reception
was rendered, but declined. He came
like any other private citizen, honored
us with his presence, gratifying us with
his unfeigned establishment at our
miraculous recovery from the fire, and
expressing unbounded confidence in the
future of our city. For this he is at
tackled, insulted and reviled. No city
on the continent but would have been
proud of the presence of the Chief Mag
istrate for so unusual length of time
but Chicago newspaper forgets even
the common amenities of life-the
courtesy which even an Arab extends to
a guest-and insults the President to
crafty partisan hatred as contempti-
bic as it is ill-bred and discourteous.
But, in the editorial referred to, the
President is taken to task for going
about the country while affairs i'll Louis
lana demand his attention. 1t is not
long since this same sheet was attacking
him for interfering i'll those matters per-
tanning exclusively to the State and so
it goes. If the President interposes his
authority to preserve the laws of a State
and protect the people, he is an usurper.
If he does not do this, he is neglecting
his duty. If he should withdraw him
self from the people he would be de-
nounced as aping Imperialism. If he
associates with them in the ordinary
walks of life he is boorish and undig-
nitied The member of Congress spends
his winter in the capital, and he retires
to his home or travels for the balance of
the year without question. The Judges
of the Supreme Court adjourn for months
at a time, and the Chief Justice has just
died III New York while on his way for
trip across the continent, but no one
thinks of accusing them of a neglect of
duty. But the President, more har-
assed and perplexed than any, is denied
the privilege of few days recreation,
even when attended by his secretary and
constantly engaged in discharging the
onerous burden of his office. Such is
independent" fairness and honesty.
The President has been within easy
reach of the capital ever since his cleo
ton in 1868. The telegraph has made
it practicable to consult him or to sum-
mon him at once if his presence were
needed there. He can be as thoroughly
cognizant of the affairs of the nation in
Chicago or New York as in Washington,
and the attempt to make political capital
out of his temporary absence from the
seat of Government is one of the very
small devices of a very small press
Inter- Ocean.