Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-10-13
Gen. Grant Sketched by a Clergy
man.


Rev. R. P. Stebbins, D. D., in a let
ter to the Monthly Religious Maya
zine giving his experience of aSix
Months in Washington thus alludes
to General Grant:
"Of the modest, retired, unassum-
ing men which we may chance to meet
In Washington, General Grant is the
chief. He hates parade. as he hates
hypocrisy. He is too Indifferent about
his ordinary. dress and appearance !. a
little more regard to his attire would
be better. In any gathering of a
hundred men. he would be the last
who would be selected by a stranger
as the favorite of a nation, the great
captain Of the age. He is easy in bis
manners, and ready and free in con
versation. His voice is very pleasant
and his language good. He indulges
in no extravagant or strong expires
sions. When anything is said com
plimentary Of himself, he is Silent
entirely silent; he has not even {
Thank ye,' to give the response, which
makes one feel rather awkward
Whether he so detests compliments
however discreetly worded and heart
lily spoken, that he will not respond
or whether his modesty paralyzes hi.
tongue, is not clear. He evidently
has no fund of small talk. His con
versation, when | saw him in his libra
~ at his house, was full of sounC
sense and free from all exaggeraUion
1t was marked by freeness of crit
cism on men and measures which | die
not expect from one Of whose reti
cence | had heard so much Yet Their,
was no bitterness Of feeling manifest
ed when he spoke Of those who haC
wronged him most. He even made
excuses for the course of one eminen
man who has been his most active OPP
ponent, and whose friends. with o
without his knowledge and approval
had circulated the basest SANDER
about the General throughout TIN
country. He is evidently man o.
sound, practical Judgment; not Wis
ionary; not given even to theOrizing
He has no theories. 1t was eviden
, that all his ideas had been tested b
practice | was happily disappointe
, by my interview with him. | had ha
q my fears respecting his qualificatio
; for civil life, though his wise admin;
q tration of affairs during the year i
the seeding States had compelled IN
q to modify my opinion. | LETT him wit
: confidence that he would as PresideI
/. eclipse his fame as General Tho
Z sands of stories have been circulate
through the country respecting h
private habits, which are utterly falls
" Whatever may have been true at son
o period of his past lite-of that | kno
nothing-his life is now irreproach
BILE. His speech is free from The e
II pletives which so dishonor many {
t. our public men. His inveterate smo
e ing is his only habit. 1t is to be no
IN ed that he will restrain, or abando
# utterly, this. But Of all the bad ha
Of its in which public or private Ia.
d may indulge in Washington. this is t
d least harmful No one, after an
1t terview with the General, will ha
- 60 L.. -, ~ 10 Evusils
. sold, wheedled or driven. Integri
aud good sense are Grant prime y
IN tues neither bribery or sophistTy C
i, flank these. He Is a rock which t
n. wave of opposition aud the auushi
Of favor can neither move nor me
If he is chosen President, he will he
or the chair of State by filing it wi
" intaorityr II not u,,tb frro.a -