The gradual decline of President Grant in American opinion is
noteworthy, for there is little evidence of any strong political reason. He is very lenient to Conservatives, but that may be wise ; and he has failed to oust the politicians by trade, but that may not be his fault ; and he writes rather indiscreet letters, but the letters are sound enough in principle. Nevertheless, it is certain that, for some reason not quite perceptible over here, a tone of contempt towards the President is becoming apparent in both parties. The idea seems to be that he is a bored man, who does not care about politics at all, but wants to be amused, and is not amused by incessant receptions of office- seekers, and people intent on giving advice, and financiers who worry him about questions he knows nothing about. That state of mind is quite intelligible—it was Napoleon's, for instance, always—but there seems to be something else. Is it possible —the idea looks absurdly inconsistent with his career, but still it is expressed in quarters not given to railing—that General Grant is, when not called on for real work, just a little frivolous?
Previous page
