Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-11-24
The Ex.Presldent Defends Him
self.

lFrom:the n. 7. sunday Mercury. Nov. 13.
A reporter called upon Gen Grant
at his Office in Fort Sherman,"2 2 Wall
street, aud inquired of him as to the
truth of the story. The ex-President
replied curtly, bat indignantly, that
there was mot an atom of truth in it"
Questioned as to his rumored financial
relations with Senator Chaffee, he said,
"It is a lie"
A Republican who was with Grant
when he first saw the article, and who
called his attention to it, said to the re-
porter: II asked Grant whether he hsd
read Washington letter in the Tribune
which had reflected upon himself. He
said he had not. handed him the pa
per and called his attention to the clos
ing paragraph as embracing all that
was of special interest. He sat down,
and then began to read, leisurely, every
line and word. l had always found
him . man whom nothing could dis
turb; but now, for the first time, I saw
him upset. AS he went on with the
realing his face grew pale, his teeth
were clsnched, and his heads quivered
with rage. l never saw q madder man
in my life. Three or four times he
brought his great hand down heavily
upon the desk before him, and declar-
ed with hoArse emphasis that it was
q lie, every word of it, After he had
read the entire article he asked me If
he might have it, but, changing his
mind, returned it, saying he would buy
q Tribune. know the author and the
source of his inspiration. That letter did
not come from Washington, )" continued
the Mercury informant. II believe,
myself, that Blaine wrote it.
"The correspondence has his ear
marks throughout. 1t is evidently
written by some one who knows some
thing of the Presidents intentions and
future Cabinet plans. Certainly the
man who concocted it is thoroughly
posted in State Department matters,
and knows what missions and consul
lates are now vacant or will be availa-
bic soon. No one except tsomebody who
had to do with diplomatic matter could
have inspired this correspondence. For
these reasons don't hesitate to say that
Blaine wrote or inspired the Tribune
article. He was at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel the day it was written and the
day it appeared, and this coincidence is
at least remarkable. You see, Blaine
wants his revenge for being forced to
leave the Cabinet. L acknowledge
remarked Grant, that have said that
I wanted to see Blaine out of the Cabi-
net. and do wish it. He ie bad man.
He has.shown himself to be unscrupu-
lous If Gen. Arthur wants to have
the respect Of the mass of the people,
he cannot too soon rid himself of this
demagogue. / am glad to know that
he is to 60, and would just as lief that
every body should know my sentiments
on this subject. He thinks to take q
double revenge for his dismissal from
office by attacking the President over
Grants shoulders. This is his favorite
method Of warfare. He never dares to
speak out openly and boldly, but he
crawls up to an enemy's back in cow
ardly fashion and stabs him from be-
hind. The sooner President Arthur
gets rid of such q man as that the bet
ter. No matter who succeeds him, .
worse man cannot be appointed to the
position
sI asked Gen. Grant why IT was that
the Tribune lent itself to such a method
of warfare. He said: THAT il the most
interesting part OF the affair, and re-
gret that do not feel at liberty to speak
Of it just now. can only do 90 in self
defence, as it involves others. This
much l will say, hswever: During the
past six weeks certain friends Of the
Tribune have been to me repeatedly to
ask my good offices to intercede for
them with President Arthur. These
gentlemen said the Tribune people de-
sired to place themselves in harmony
with the President. as they had been
with Mr.. Garfield. In case this could
be done, they are ready to desert the
Half Breed flag, and to give the Ad-
ministration their meet cordial and
hearty support. II was . complete
surreader-unconditi indeed. All
they wanted was 10 be recognized at
Washington-that and share Of the
loaves and ishes, ! suppose. The de-
taila 0f this m tfAy IN nuhlishQd would