New-York tribune., 1868-09-12
GRANTS LETTER TO HIS FATHER

81 beg that you will destroy this letter y
wrote General Grant to his father; but we are
very glad that a better use was made OF that
remarkable document, which we print to-day.
It was written by Grant from Millkens Bend,
Louisiana, during the Vicksburg campaign, aud
placed in our hands by gentleman who fur
nishes it from a collection of autographs. We
print it word for word unaltered, and consider
that its date and the circumstances under
which it was written give it the highest value
as a declaration of Grants personality
All about the General we know, and we know
nothing but success. But there never was n
military chieftain to whom more truly applies
the line, "And for Achilles self there stands
:" his spear" The people questioned Grant
during the war, and he answered with vic
tories, not words. "What are your plans in
" the West7n His silent reply was TO hand
over Yicksburg aud her armies to the Govern
ment. "What do you propose to do in
" the East y lie answered by sheathing
his sword and giving the nation Peace.
He was retccnt in words, not in deeds /;
and throughout his wonderful career seems to
have mOdesty shrunk behind his own fame,
making screen of the success which other
men would have used as n pedestal. The
name of the great Captain was written in the
stars of our flag like the consolidated Perscus
in the sky. and SO dazzling was the light that
men could hardly see the simple, honest, mod
est nature of the Man. But slowly we pre
learning to know Grant, as we at last knew
Lincoln, and every discovery gives him new
claim upon our confidence. He is not only
Of In NVnulI boV
been great without them, unknown III the OBJ
scurity of Galena.
In this remarkable letter Grant speaks for
himself, and with frankness which shows
how extremely reluctant he was TO write of
his own deeds, and how greatly he disliked TO
defend himself even when unjustly attacked.
Though it was written to his father in strict
confidence, he was careful to ask that it should
be destroyed Why should lie have desired
this 7 Every word is to his credit. That is the
very reason why he did not wish that it should
get before the public. This singular desire to
keep himself in retirement seems as much due
to natural pride as to modesty-if
the American people were not satisfied
with his acts, he had no intention OF
convincing them with his words. But II
this letter had been known at the time, The
World would never have dared TO circulate
that disgraceful story about Grants colluson
with cotton spectators, which, miserable as it
is and too contemptibly false for even his
enemies to credit, is raised to the dignity of q
hrst-class Democratic argument. This is not
at all strange; in a political campaign, some
thing must be said against the opposing candi-
date, and, when facts cannot injure falsehoods
may. At Gettysburg, after Lee had exhausted
his supply of shot and shell, he charged his
cannon with stones The World, being desti
tute Of argument, throws dirt and mud. But
1t cannot throw far enough TO reach the man
who said that all army followers engaged in
specuating in the misfortunes of their country
should be drafted at once, and put in the
first forlon hope"
When Grant wrote this letter he was exc
cutting great military plan-which finally won