Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-05-22
The Presidential Crime.

A morning paper, having run the gamut
of charges against the President, has re-
turned to the old complaint that he is neg
lecting the public business for his own
comfort and amusement We do not care
to hurry to the defense of an official who
requires no NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. acts have
been a sufficient answer to all the SANDERS
that ale heaped upon him; but we call at
tention 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 a loss for
material out of which to manufacture
charges so long as acts of ordinary practice
are tortured into grave improprieties, and
the simplest performances Of duty clothed
with deep and designing significance.
The silly charge that the President is
neglecting his duties TO 90 about the coun-
try 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 in Washington,
can the President attend to the affairs com
mitted to his trust.
There is no better way in which the
President can demonstrate his good sense
and a practical desire To serve the country
than by visiting the people, hearing from
them their wants, observing their neces-
stiles, and shaping his course accordingly.
For this reason VIC. 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 Presi-
dents, from Washington doWn-save in the
greatest moments Of peril-have taken oc-
casiOn to retire from their cares at Wash
ington, General Grant is the first who has
descended from the tanced dignitieS that
surround the Office to mingle freely with
the people Of every part Of the country
He has clothed the office with a republi.
can simplicity cminently fitted to our
democratic ideas: he meets every citizen
as an equal, leveling all distinctions, and
extending his hand to rich and poor, hum
bic and distinguished alike. He has been
absent from Washington, after six months
OF unremitting toll, for ttc0 reeks, and dur
in that time has visited portions of the
West, calling at his old home, mingling
with his old neighbors, and at last, on his
way to the Capital, stopping for few
days TO look upon the marvel of u rebuilt
city, and congratulate Chicago on emerg-
ing from the darkness in which she was
plunged but few months ago by an I'M
paralleled calamity There was no parade
III all this--a public reception was ten
dered, but declined. He came like any
other private citizen, hOnoring us with
his presence, gratifying us with his I'M
teigned establishment at our miraculous
recovery from the fire, and expressing I'M
bounded confidence in the future of our
city. For this he is attacked, insulted,
and reylIcd No city on the continent
but would have been proud of the pres
ence of the ChicfMagistrate for so I'M
usual length OF time; but Chicago
newspaper forgcts even the common
amenities Of lite-the courtesy which even
an Arab extends 10 a guest-and insults
the President TO crafty a partisan hatred
as contemplate as it is ilI-bred and dis
courteous
But, in the editorial referred to, the
President is taken to task for going about
the country while affairs in Louisiana de.
mand his attention. 1t is not long since
this same sheet was attacking him for in
terierlng III those matters pertaining cxclu-
sively to the State; and soft goes If the
President interpOses his authority to pre-
serve the laws of a State and protect the
people, he is an usurpcr. If he does not
do this he Is neglecting his duty. If he
should withdraw himself from the people
~ Houlu W denounced rs dplng lmpcr
ialism If he associates with them in the
ordinary walks Of life, he is boOrish and
undignitied. The member Of Congress.
spends his winter in the capital, and re
tires to his home, or travels for the balance
OF the year without question The Judges
OF the Supreme Court adjourn for
months at Il time, and the Chief
Justice has inst died in New
York while on his way for a trip across
the continent, but no one thinks Of accus-
ing them Of a neglect of duty. But the
President more harassed and pcrplexed
than any, is denied the privilege Of a few
days recreation, eXcn when attended bv
his secretary and constantly engaged in
diScharging the oncrous burdens of his
office. Such is independent" fairness
and honesty.
The President has been within easy
reach Of the capital ever since his election
in 1868. The telegraph has made it prac-
ticable 10 consult him or TO summon him
1T once if his presence were needed there
Ii can be as thoroughly cOgnizant of the
affairs ~ the nation in Chicago or New
York as IN Washington. and the attempt
To make political capital out of his tenn
porary absence from the seat Of govern
mcnt is one of the very small devices of a
very small press-Chic0go Iater-O ocean.