Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-09-22
LETTER FROM GENERAL GRANTS
FATHER

CONVICTION, KY, July 10th, 1S66.-E. A.
COLLINS, Esq: Ny kind old friend-A few
weeks ago, received long, and you may
well guess very welcome letter. That let
ter l should have answered at the time, but
as you had heard at that out of the way part
of the world that I had been appointed
Postmaster Of this city, and that it was near
the close of the quarter; and that you know
it is quite task, for a new hand TO make a
report and keep it correct for so largo an Of
fee, you will say that l have very good
excuse for my delay, and especially SO, when
| tell you that have only this day got off
the last Of my report.
You may wonder how one at my age,
should be appointed to such an office. l
will tell you. When ABRAHAM LINCOLN
was elected TO preside over the destinies of
this truly great nation, he took one SALMON
p. CHASE into his Cabinet. He had always
been good Democrat, when Abolition ism
had nothing to do with party politics. Well,
there was a man in Cincinnati named HAM
ILTON CUMMINGS, a very noisy Abolitionist,
and of course he was admirably calculated,
and fitted for the Office. All that was nee
essary, was to rent house and move his
family to Covington. 1t was done, and he
was appointed.
| was well known to Gov. DENNIsoN,
Postmaster General, and also to the Presi-
dent. About that time I wrote to our Con-
gresham, ironically condemning him for
his vote on the negro Acknowledgement bill,
for the District of Columbia. He went to
the President and told him to appoint me
Postmaster, and it was done and as it af-
forded a very nice little salary of $1,000,
which you know never had any special
II "a
duties, and things move on we'll
Well, have told you how / was made
P. NJ, l will now reply to your letter as well
as L can from memory, for really your letter
has been mislaid and l can't lay my hands
on it. Respecting your success in getting
that article that is good for the "sore eyes,"
| know you don't care anything about it.
Why should you? You have now more
than ever will be needed to cure all the sore
eyes in your family. You say You are
shaping your affairs TO get home about Octo-
Der. will try to go out as soon after your
return as possible.
You say something about my Soldier d,
Boy, l forgot what, but | believe you say
that you want to go to Washington when he |
is inaugurated President, and ask me if l |
will go with you. Oh yes, certainly will |
go, and hope We may have nice time Of it. |
Stranger things than that have happened, |
but not more strange things than that would |
have been four or five years ago.
You know ULYSSES is not and never was |
an aspirant for any personal favor or promo |
ton. When the war broke out he felt that |
rs the Government had educated him for a !
soldier, and asitwas likely soon to need his SER
vices he would not withhold them, and so |
he was among the first to volunteer for the
war, and to say the very least oft his career
mas been a very remarkable one. You know
nc never asked for an ofliceor a,promotion, or
agreed 10 accept such when consulted. But
when appointed, promoted, or ordered he |
ook right hold and has commanded larger
armies, fought more battles, taken more pris-
'ners and more ordnance than any other
General history gives any account Of You
nay have noticed that the Government and
he people fully appreciate what he has
lone and good deal more. He was pro-
noted from private to a Brigadier Gene
al in few months and all the time placed
n important commands. He was promoted,
mil there was no longer any rank TO pro-
note him in. Then the Congress created a
lew rank Of Lieutenant General, and he was
gain promoted to that rank. Not satisfied
Ilti thats OouSFerS uda CTeateu skill hlguer |
anS, Of what is called full General, and
esterday the Senate confirmed his appoint
lent to that rank.
| suppose they will have to be content, as
here is no further rank that can be created.
Iut that is not all The people have moved
n every way besides the promotions have
rescribed, and the large substantial testi-
lonials he has received, the people every
here are disposed to do him honor Take /
hat all together, don't it seem little
range to you? 1t does to me-
Now there is another thing which seems
lually strange; the most ultra Radicals,
nc worst copperheads, the desperate secesll,
nd the true Union men, all say: Give US
iRANT; We want no other platform than
rat he has written with his sword.
You know enough about ULYSSES to know,
rat 70 accept the Presidency, would be to
i'm sacrifice Of feeling and personal in
rest He could not well stand the trial of |
eng candidate for public favor; and his I
resent position is every way much better
nc that Of the President. But if there |
lould seem to be the same necessity for il
20 years hence, as now, i expect he will |
Ieid. Yours, &C.,
J. IL. GRANT I