Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-03-30
A ACIsrsyman's IntorvIe1v With Gen. Grant

ClergymaD's Interview with Gen. Grant
In the Christian Advocate of last week,
is letter from the Rev. DR.. Thomson (the
editor) and which details an interview he
had with Gen. Grant in railroad car in
Pennsylvania, few days ago. He says:
At Altoona, Blair county, Pennsylva-
MIA, as we went to the cars, we found q
| crowd on the platform, and as We took our
seats we learned the reason Of it, as some
one cried out, "three cheers for General
Grant," a summons that was obeyed with
zest. We we're introduced to him and had
a very pleasant conversation with him.
He is q man of medium height and unas-
suming manners. His dress was plain
aud in no rsarant indicative Of his rank.
/ The stranger is struck with his youthful
appearance. He seems TO be not over
thirty-fve years Of age; yet we need not
be surprised that he has accomplished SO
much, for few men become great who do
not achieve their grestn ess in early life.
General Grant is Democrat in the true
sense of the word. He is for the people,
all the people. He has none Of the airs,
or the spirit, or the philosophy Of an aris-
tocrst. Without freedom or the want Of
dignity, he is at home at once and every
where. He is very modest, seeking to hide
from the public gaze. Though called for
by the crowd at every station, it was with
difficulty he could be persuaded to step
forward and raise his hat; he made no
speeches, but retired in silence; modesty
is q mark Of merit. We never meet with
a master mind without it.
In speaking Of General Mcclellan he
exhibited both good sense and generosity,
while at the same time he indicated an in
tention to avoid his errors. He attributed
General McClellan's failure to no want Of
ability or education, but to the fact that he
rose too rapidly, was intoxicated by his
elevation, and afraid to make bold step
lest it should be false one. Moreover,
he unfortunately allowed himself to be
manipulated by politicians, and beWilder-
ed by the false lights which they held out
before him. If such be tho view which
the Lieutenant General takes, and We have
no doubt Of its correctness, there is ground
to hope that he himself will not be the
victim Of political wire-workers, but will
steadily employ his powers in the right
direction and for the right motive, name
ly, to save the country. II 50, his contem-
porsries will honor and reward him, and
posterity will award him renoWn when
the political schemes of the time shall all
have been doomed to merited oblivion.
General Grant is hopeful that while he
makes no such extrsvsgsnt uttersnces as
General Scott and General Mcclellan did,
he yet leads us to understand that events
are in train for q decisive Spring cam
psign. He speaks in the highest terms Of
General Sherman, who succeeds him in
the Western Department, who, he says,
has no superior in the service.
- <1f EI----s~-i AE~DhA-sou- IN vhnrn mich
will devolve, as well as OF General Gill
more, who is yet to play an important
part each Of the two stter''grsdusted al
the head Of his class. General Sherman
would have dene likewise but for some de.
Z merit marks. "That," said the General
sswas nsy case, that is, to have demerit
marks-only if they had been conceded
might not have reached the head Of my
class"
Z On our expressings fear thst his eleVa'
ton would take him from the field, he gave
Us to understand, that although he would
have an Office in Washington, he did moi
intend to do much Office work, but would
take the field wherever and whenever ht
/ deemed his presence would be the mos
, useful. We could but compliment him
} upon the brilliant campaign which brough
? him successfully to Vicksburg. He re-
, piled that it was hazardous, but had to b
( done.
| TheGeneraps face is not unprepossessinl
his spirit is genial, and his conversation il
indicative Of q Wcll-bslsnced, determined
{ and vigorous, but calm mind. Having
r heard that he was intemPersts we were {
= little surprised, and not little grstifed
to see no marks whatever Of dissolut,
o habits upon him. We have, however, pret
= ty good evidence that he has been foOlisl
0 enough at times to indulge in sprees, and
q that he is easily overcome on such occs
: sions-s good evidence that he is not I
hsbitusl drinker, and 3 good warning
/ which we trust will not be lost upon him
and save him in futuoe from such indis
J, oretions. Now that q grateful oOuntrI
Q crowns him with her highest honors, AMI
{ intrusts him with her greatest commands
: he will surely commit no act unworthy Q
the observation Of the world, or imperil