veto of the bill to
increase the amount of United States notes, on the 22nd of April,
1874, was an exception, but on this he changed his mind, as he had
expressed his approval of the bill when pending. He was charged
with being in a whisky ring and with other offensive imputations,
all of which were without the slightest foundation. General Grant
was, in every sense of the word, an honest man. He was so honest
that he did not suspect others, and no doubt confided in, and was
friendly with, those who abused his confidence. It was a period
of slander and scandal.

I did not escape the general crimination. I usually met accusations
with silence, as my accusers were answered by others. In March,
1871, the Cincinnati "Enquirer" contained the following imputation:

"We are informed that a gentleman who lately filled a responsible
office in this city, who has recently returned from Washington,
says that the Southern Railroad bill would have passed the United
States Senate if it had not, unfortunately, happened that Senator
Sherman had no direct pecuniary interest in it. In these days,
and with such Congresses, it takes grease to oil the wheels of
legislation."

On the 12th of March I wrote to the editors of the "Enquirer" the
following note, after quoting the editorial:

"United States Senate Chamber,}
"Washington, March 12, 1871. }
"To the Editors of the 'Enquirer:'

"Gentlemen:--Some one, perhaps in your office, sends me the following
editorial, cut from your paper:

* * * * *

"All I can say in reply is that it contains a falsehood and a
calumny. I introduced the bill for the Southern Railroad; am
strongly in favor of it, and pressed it at every stage as rapidly
as the rules of the Senate and the strong opposition to it would
allow. This is known by every Senator, and I am quite sure Judge
Thurman and Mr. Davis would say so. I alone took an active interest
in the bill, and at the very moment your editorial was received I
was pressing a Republican caucus to make it an exception to a
resolution not to take up general legislation at this session.
Everyone familiar with our rules knew that it was the sheerest
folly to try to pass the bill on the last day of the session,
especially as against our appropriation bills. When it does pass
it will take days of debate, and will not receive support from any
of your political associates, who think Kentucky can block up all
intercourse between the north and so