Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-09-29
Gen. Grant's Statements.

Probably it would not be advisable
70 accept the genuiness o. all the
statements attributed to Gen. Grant
in the reported interview at Edinburgh
before the General himself has had an
opportunity TO read the report and to
make any corrections which it might
need The art Of interviewing has
grown so rapidly that it is yet full @.
imperfections, even when honestly UNI
dJrtaken, while the number of Gowa-
right falsehoods set aaoat in that
shape is already astounding. Waiv-
ing that point, how ever, till further
.advices, we are obliged to say that
some Of the remarks attributed to
the ex-President in this interview will
be received by all his friends in this
country, not only with great astonish
ment, but with the deepest regret.
How man who hesitates, as he is
reported to declare, TO return TO this
country because he wants to keep al
oof from political strife, could delib-
eratel y reopen the strifes OF eight or
ten ago, by aspersing the. characters
of two deceased public men whose
memories are and will long be dear to
the people of the United States, we
donot understand. There was not
the slightest occasion for it, nor can
there be any excuse, if the report has
been correctly made.
So far as the objection TO Mr.. Sum-
ncr as Chairman of the Senate For
Ggn Committee is concerned, samely,
that he persistently obstrueted the
transaction of public business relat
ing to foreign affairs, it is, certainly
very singular that such a charge was
not made at the time when the whole
country was eager to know the real
reasons of Mr. Summers deposition,
and, we may add, was not at all sat
SIZED with such reasons as were then
made public. 1t was we'll known that
there was a constitutional incompati-
bility between the temperament and
whole makeup of Mr.. Sumner and Of
Gen. Grant which made it very diff
cult for them to get along well togeth
er; but there was the same rccogniz-
ed diversity between Senator Sumner
and Senator Fessenden, yet none can
possibly imagine either Of these noble
men as capable of recalling their diff
erences over the grave Of the ether.
The quoted references to Mr.. Motley
in this interview are equally uncalled
for and Objectionable, whatever items
of fact they may embcdy. We sin
cerely trust that further information
Will show that the cx-Presidcnt has
not been so injudicious and apparent
ly vindictive in his illusions TO Messrs.
Sumner and Motley as his reporter
represents.
What General Grant says about
our present politics is so characters.
tic as to lend an unwelcome air OF
plauSibi!ity to the whole interview.
1t is disfigured by gross attack on
Secretary SclHrz, but that gentleman
is ahundantly able to take care Of
himself, and he is not to be put down
by any slurs or prophecies on either
side Of the Atlantic. He, occupies
one Of the most trying positions in
the Government, and he will stand OF
fall by the record he is daily making
Thus far he stands, and stands we'll
With regard to General Grants other
observations on national matters OF
current interest, we cannot help think,
ing that, so long as he is unwilling tc
come home and take citizens share
in the discussion and management OIL
such matters, he can do a great deal
better by keeping silence than by is
suing bulletins through the very un'
certain medium of anonymous inter.
viewers.