New-York tribune., 1876-12-16
PRESIDENT GRANTS MESSAGE.
NO APOLOGY PRoTFERED OR NEEDED-A MAN OF
CONVICTIONS DISCLOSED.

CONVICTIONS DISCLOSED.
To the Edttor Of The Tribune.
SIR: 1t i'll becomes me to review your edi-
torial OF this date on "The Presidents Message :"
but have read It he editorial) with such Indignation
that must answer 1t. politician, and no states
man. have other knowledge OF public affairs than
that nich very busy clergyman Ia bound TO acquire
have no specal friendship for President Grant have
lived across the way from him eight years, but have
only a speaking acquaintance" with hun. He docs
net care two what Think ard do not care two
straws what he thinks, between man ami man. But
your editorial misundertands that message that
1 venture even 20 write this letter.
believe that it is Mr.. Grants own " message" II
reads TO me as things had been cut out OF H.
ouly wish the country could have had the original text
Whatever pathos" there is in it is the pahos Of man
ness which is not ashamed to confess its own weak
ness see no petition for genter Judgment"
"somcthing OF confession Of primal lack Of equip
nen for the place" Why. there is something about
it, 1t is everything that honest man could say His
only ault IS that he is taking tho nation into his
depce at the last and lie does IL because the nation has
pyen him It's confidence and he wants to part company
ON good terms 1t may be unwise, but it is no fault.
The mingled sadness and regret, and such candcr rs
makes us willing to draw vail over and forget 1t all "
We shall not forget it all 1t all done in good faith
if not all in good Judgment There is no Doge Of
Venice" here n slr Grant committed any blum
ders and special friend Of his nor OF MS policy
they not been DluldcfS JlHb ildn ought
gz for and there Is word OF apology" IN all
mat crisp message" 1t IS soldiers speech; nothing
more nor less and it is spoken TO the hearts and heads Of
tho nation, and the nation appreciates 1t.
"Cbstinacy!" That is bad name for good quality.
Tn, President has been man OF convictions IN an age
Of 1xppdcloy aud opinions. "Claims Z! lie has pre-
veutc = with Great Britain, and has actually done
ling that he says he has done. " Santo DOmngu"
Ri.it or wrong he has right 10 his opinions, and q
right to rcsiate Them il not to revise he, officially
unOlciIlly. Adeieatcd Issue Is not dc2d issue Right
or wrong, IL he still believes In it he has most unqucs
tionabe right Teasscrt his mind That is exactly what
n i.iaIlIi
the message" which THE TRIBUNE declares DC can
Illustration Of tho amazing Obstinacy" Of Ar Grants
character is the thing that shows and proves that
inc Las 70 character, and has had policy" all along
these eight years, notwithstanding his own disayOwal OF
Mr. JOnnsUn's theory OF my policy" I have
not liked this administration l have quarCed
with IL, in my mind from hrst 10 last, although
have meyer word publicly against IL except when
could not help IL; but to your editorial implies
That Mr.. Grants last message To Congress shows any
scus of weakness" is any sort OF an Apology or
has any tOnch Of sadness" In it, other than the sddes
witch auy true must feel IN looking behind hinl
seems to me 30 utterly unjust to the President that FISK
my reputation IN signing my name to s otiind arsi-
Gle. - JOHN FAUdhAh LE"h'
Washington, Dec. o, 1876.