The New York herald., 1876-09-02
Grants Plain Talk.

The President 10 one of the silent men OF
the country. His acts are his interpreters,
not his words. It is hard to get him to
who was then q candidate for the Presidency,
was accurately described as "a sashed and
girded Sphinx" The description was cor
rect Nobody knew what this great man
intended to do. The country accepted him
on faith, and, we regret to say, it was dis
appointed in the results.
Still, the Presidential Sphinx can open his
lips. The silence of Grant as to the third
term aspirations of which he has been ac-
cused, as to his opinions of the state Of the
country and of the future of the country, has
been decidedly overcome. The man who
refused to speak has spoken at the last
Our letter from Long Branch proves that
the most reticent man in the country is one
of the most eloquent There is q certain Sc
ductive power in the influence of the bril-
liant HERALD correspondents which no pub
lie men can resist. They say that they will
not be interviewed, but they invariably fall
victims to the Establishments of our enter
prising representatives. The HERALD wants
the news, the great man wants to be under
stood, and the result is-the truth Gen
eral Grant has refused to speak to the coun-
try, but he has spoken to the HERALD, and
with a candor and frankness that it pleases
MS to commend. AS Horatio said in 'Ham-
let" of the silent ghost of the play,
Upon my life,
ia amir m In Ms wi
and SO Grant tells in our columns what he
has refused to reveal to the politicians We
thank him for the compliment. He per-.
ceives, we think. that the politicians cannot
be trusted, but that the HERALD can be de-
pended upon to tell the absolute truth, and
to give with due Difference and respect the
opinions of the President of the United
States to the people. 1t is very remark
able interview that our correspondent fur
nishes, but it is one which the President
has no reason to regret. He is candid, and
candor is, of all qualities, one of the most
admirable. Once there was a time when
His Excellency refused to read the HERALD.
That was the time when there was
some slight discussion of Cmsarism, and
when Grant did not like the debate,
but when the country in general thought
''Barkis was willin'." But all that is over
now, and the great ''sashed and girded
Sphinx" not only reads the HERALD, but, as
to write for it his political opinions. They
will be read with great delight by everybody.
The President has honored us with plain
talk. He says that the result of the October
election in Indiana will settle the national
contest, and believes the republican party
will carry Indiana. He thinks Orth has
helped the party by resigning He init
mates that Governor Tilden might just as
we'll resign as Mr. Orth, and don't think he can
get out of the quandary about the payment of
his past income tax He believes that Hayes
will be elected, and by his superior sagacity
ton. eff the democrats" General Grant
said, "were certain of success in New York,
they would not force the nomination for
Governor upon man who had positively
declined" At the time of the conversation
with our correspondent Grant had not
ideas of that crime in politics would be in
teresting, and perhaps he may give them to
the public hereafter. The grim smile
with which he read the story of
that colossal blunder ought to be
photographed for the entertainment of pos
terity. What President Grant says about
the Indian war. Secretary Robson, the
whiskey trials, Mr.. Bristow and the general
condition of the country, over which he has
presided for nearly eight years, will be read
with great interest, but does not need present
comment But everybody will read this in
teresting conversation with great delight and
will admire his frankness, GOODNESS and per-
feet good nature, and the politicians will
derive benefit from his ideas. In all con-
tests it is the Kings name that is tower of
strength, and if Hayes is elected let him
thank Grant for his assistance, and, second,
the democracy for their blunders.