posted November 9, 2009
In 1868, General Ulysses S. Grant became president of the United
States. Immediately, in spite of his brilliant military record, he came under attack from his friends and foes alike. Concerning his villification, a noted writer of the day said the following: "Is it not true that when we elect a man to office we at the same time unconsciously encourage others to tear him to pieces. What public character can escape calumny? Our best candidates for office are not saints. Our best representatives and senators are not divinities. Even President Washington, at the end of his administration, was regarded as an usurper. When his terms were finally over, the country declared a great national relief and I am sure he was glad to return to Mount Vernon and the rest he had so rightfully earned.'
The writer, John W. Forney, a government official and owner of newspapers, went on to say that "If we establish an angelic standard for our public men, we are not only sure to fail, but perhaps will end making hereditary monarchy necessary to govern and subdue a dissatisfied people.
"Furthermore, a politician without a record of which he is not ashamed is a bird without a wing. A candidate must always expect investigation, and he who is entirely spotless is a sort of white crow."
A famous French woman of the day said she preferred the men who had all of the strong passions of their sex, and distrusted those who denied them.
The name of a man with a great record cannot be hurt. President Obama is a man of high marks and deep mold. His great heart and good deeds will see him through. Mr. Forney, quoted above, believed that only little men die of criticism. He felt that there is a big difference in boldly questioning policies while at the same time assailing private character. You do not help your case by abusing your adversary.
I feel that some of these ideas should be considered by everyone, and especially those who continue their unprecedented but hostile assault on the President who inherited the most intense number of problems of any Commander-in-Chief since Lincoln. We can never truly know a man until we have walked for awhile in his shoes.
Mildred Perry Miller
* * *
"We can never truly know a man until we have walked for awhile in his shoes."
Mildred, the problem with that statement is Obama is wearing two left shoes.
Jim Ashley
* * *
A man can no more walk the line in two left shoes than he can in two right shoes, Jim.
Herb Spaulding
Chattanooga
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