Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-10-06
PRESIDENTIAL DIGNITY.

One of the funniest things In Grants
third term letter Is the excuse he makes
for not writing 1t sooner because to
have done 80 at the mere beck Of "the
newspapers" would have been beneath
the "dignity' Of the Presidential otiicc.
Admitting, for moment, the absurd
and insolent plea Of the somewhat crest
fallen third-term aspirant that only
conventions OF the Republican party
had the right TO inquire into his inten-
tions in that direction, how comes II
that no failed 10 respond to the South
Carolina Radical Convention Of last
year, which unanimously pronounced
in favor Of his reelection ??
Here was a first-rate opportunity to
come out squarely upon tho subject
without compromising that dignity
OF which his Long Branch Highncss
has suddenly become 80 excessively
careful. Yet, like Poe's "grim and
ghastly bird Of yore,' he uttered not a
word, he huttered not feather, but
sat unmovcd and stolidly silent until
the Pennsylvania Convention, soon
followed by the Ohio Radical, gave
him unequivocal notice to quit where
upon he, croaked out his pitiful and
Ispi,en,i, ANA vuiiilenrIy snan,'ns ana
cvasivc letter, the true meaning where
Of is even now matter Of dispute
among his own friends. ff
1t matters little to the Democracy
whether Grant is still looking for re-
nomination, us careful analysis of his
letter undoubtedly leads us to infer, or
whether he means to throw the weight
OF his official influence in favor Of the
congenial Morton, the strutting Conk-
ling, or the oily Washburn, as either
of these worthless can be quite as easily
beaten as their present chief, particu.
larly if il is well understood that he is
a protege Of Grant and means "to tread
in the footsteps of his illustrlous predc-
cessor," But when the ex-Galena tan.
ner puts on his dignity to the extent
of speaking of the leading journalists
of the country as if they had no claim
to his notice or recognition, we feel o
natural desire to know upon what sort
of meat or drink our would-be- Caesar
has grown to be such an amazingly
great and dignified personage.
As witty member of the fourth es-
tate, whose opportunities to know
something of Grants habits and tastes
have not been few or unimprovod, well
puts it, 1--WE are really glad that his
Excellency has discovered some dig.
nifty connected with his position. The
finding comes n little late, but better
late than never. His Excellency has
dragged his position through good
many undignified and questionable
places, The citizens of New York
were painfully impressed with this tact
when they saw the Administration
seated by the late Jim Fisk, Jr., be-
hind the four high stepping bays in
loud harness. qga4tq sfaa.Y
"Quite a number felt this when the
President accepted Jim's hospitality,
not only in the house where Josie
Mansfield presided, but on board Jims
hnat. WHARF that worthy fouriohod in
an uniform the lamented Farragut al.
alone was entitled to wear. The nation
at large felt impressed when affairs
eliminated in the disasters of tho Black
Friday, and not only the Presidents
brother-in-law was found implicated,
but that check for $4,000 traced 10
the family.
"At last the dignity is stumbled on,
and we hastened to congratulate our
selve and the country at large over
the result. Hereafter no more attend.
ancc on the newly-opencd hotels and
cheap feasts Stop bit. His Excel.
lency has carried his new-found dig.
nifty to Long Branch We doubt
whether Long Branch is favorable to
Presidential dignity. 1t viii be apt to
mildew in that locality. The Prcsi.
dent had better put his dignity in a
box-it is a small parcel, and won't
inconvenience him much-and guard
il with camphor, or better, with Cowles
4 Brigas' process, said to be good
against moths, moulds and mildew,
while making the textile fabric water
repeIlant."
To which pungent remarks we only
wish to add that after being promoted
from the not very lucative or dignifed
position of an ex-army officer engaged
in haulding wood to market, and not
unfrequcntly tarrying ovcrmuch at the
waysidc groggeres, to the highest
Office in the gift of the American peo.
pie, with salary double that of his
predecessors attached thereto, and pre-
vious to accepting ii receiving gifts of
money and houses equal in value TO
over a quarter Of a million of dollars,
it does not look very dignifed or even
decent for our pampered Chief Execu-
tive to whine over the great Sacrifices"
he has made, and the extremely COM
portable position he has given up to ac-
commodate the nation, We then
thought the sacrifice" had been al.
together the other way, and we think
so still.-Neio Orleans Bulletin.
THE RVOIp. NOTHJvc afovr