Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1868-05-21
General Grant.

The following testimony to the charac-
ter, habits, and qualifications of General
Grant is all the more valuable in that it
comes from gentleman whose first choice
for the Presidency is not General Grant
1t is from the pen Of NJ. Halsted, Esq,
editor of the Cincinnati Commercial
Night before last, while seated in the
theatre here, just before the curtain rose
| saw gentleman in the aisle, making his
way with lady on his arm, and leading
by the hand little boy, to I. seat near the
orchestra. His face seemed strangely IA
miliar, but it was not within the first in
slant that recognized in his simple citi-
zen's dress, wearing an old-fashioned
"stove-pipe", hat, General Z. S. Grant.
He came in so quietly and quickly that
few persons did recognize him. His cool
blue eye, firm Jaw, the mouth q mere
straight line through his short, sandy beard,
and his fixed, intent look, identified him to
those who CHANGED to be observers, be-
yond a chance of mistake. 1t seemed to
be his wish to avoid attention, and he
succeeded so well, that, though all men
know him, but few in the crowded au-
dience noticed that the slight gentleman
with the lady and the little boy, on the
second row Of chairs from the orchestra,
about the centre of the division of the
theatre to the left of the stage, who en-
tered 50 heartily into the enjoyment of the
drolleries of Jefferson, the comedian, was
the man who holds the most commanding
position in the nation, and upon whose
influential fame and popularity the Repub-
lican party in such great measure relies
to maintain its footing in the high places
of authority. There is great deal
OF talk throughout the country of
General Grants habits and no little
uneasiness among his friends concerning
the reports that he is hard drinker, and
has been seen drunk. There is nothing in
his appearance that indicates the slightest
irregularity of life. His complexion is
clear, his eye is clear, and his whole bear
ing and manner not only not that of a
man broken by dissipation and degraded
by an evil appetite, but that of man
temperate in all things All reports that
have reached me from sources entitled to
consideration, are to the effect that the
habits of General Grant are good and his
life blameless. And may add that Re-
Publicans Of whom he was not the first
choice for the Presidency, speaking of him
without a thought of any publicity being
given their observations, and under cir
cumstances such that criticism would be
confidential, express growing regac,l
for him, and assert that he shows degree
of intelligence IN public affairs, and a
simple earnestness and integrity that win
their absolute confidence. This may not
amount to a great deal. lido not appreciate
it very highly. 1t is worth writing, how
ever. if it disposes of an apprehension en-
tertained without sufficient reason by any
good citizen General Grant is probably
not a very brilliant man, not dazzling
character, but he is discreet, sensible and
safe. He is unspoiled by fattery, and is as
transformations as whsn a citizen of Galena
or St Louis; he is not the least dizzy, but
goes about his business, modest, composed,
pleasant, considerable, faithful to all obliga-
tions.