Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1868-07-31
cR.,.vT"s PoLITIC.,A opE,Yo.,,s.

The men who pretend to think that Grant
is no soldier, and has no brains except
what McClernard lent him, are fond of de-
claring also that he never had political
opinion and has no idea of the require
ments of statesman. lie has never deem
ed it his duty to flaunt his sentiments on
public affairs in the faces of his fellow-citi-
zens but that his opinions on the great
questions of the day have all along been
both positive and sound we are daily get
ting fresh proof. In Mr.. A. d. Richard
sons forthcoming life of Gen. Grant there
is some interesting evidence of this kind, of
which new specimens. In No
vomber, 1865, Grant wrote to the ex-rebel
Gen. Dick Taylor:
"The day after you left here the Presi-
dent sent for me, as ! expected he would
after conversation with his Attorney-Gen-
eral. told him my views candidly about
the course thought he should take in view
of the verdict of the late elections. 1t ellie
tied nothing satisfactory from him, but did
not bring out the strong opposition he
sometimes shows to views not agreeing
with his own. | was followed by Gen.
Sickles, who expressed about the same
opinions did.
Since that l have talked with several
members of Congress who are classed with
the Radicals; Schenck and Boutwell, for
instance. They express the most generous
views as to what would be done, if the con-
stitutional amendments proposed by Con-
gress were adopted by the Southern States
What was done in the case of Tennessee
was an earnest of what would be done in
all cases.
Even the disqualification to hold Office
imposed on certain classes by one article of
the amendment would, no doubt be remov-
ed at once, except it might be the cases of
the very highest offenders, such, for in
stance, as those who went abroad to aid
the rebellion, those who left seats in Con-
gress, etc. All or nearly all would soon be
restored, and so far as security to property
and liberty is concerned, all would be re-
stored at once.
l would like exceedingly to see one
Southern State, ratify the amendment, to
enable us to see the exact course that would
be pursued. l believe it would much mod
ify the demands that may be made if there
is delay"
81 never could have believed" said Grant
to a friend, THAT should favor giving ne
groes the right to vote but that seems to
me the only solution of our difficulties"
During the winter of 1867, while recon-
struction measures were pending, Orr of
South Carolina, Brown and Walker Of
Georgia, and other late prominent seces-
sionists, asked his counsel. TO all he re-
piled i'll substance:
eco to the Union Republicans in Con-
gress, and them alone. Have nothing
Whatever to do with Northerners who OPP
posed the war. They will never again be
intrusted with power. The more you con-
sort with them, the more exacting the Re-
publicans will be, and ought to be. When
you get home, urge your people to accept
negro suffrage. Ifyou had promptly adopt
ed the constitutional amendment abolish
ing Slavery, or the one making negroes cit
liens, and guaranteeing the public debt,
Congress would undoubtedly have admit
ted you before this. Now it will insist up
on adding impartial suffrage. The sooner
you accept that, the better for all concern
ed"
were preparing to evacuate Mexico, Gen.
Grant wrote the following sensible and en-
phatic letter to Sheridan, then commanding
the Fifth Military District:
my opinion is that the interest of the
United States, and duty, is to see that for
eign interference with the affairs OF this
continent is put an end to.
1t is probable that you may have
an opportunity of judging the designs of
Santa Anna, should he attempt to send IA
force to the Rio Grande. Should his de-
signs be inimical to the Government Of
Mexico, with which we are at peace, the
same duty, in obedience to our own neu-
trality laws, compels stopreventt the fitting
out of expeditions hostile to that Govern
mcnt that existed in the case Of the Fenian
movement against our northern neighbor.
'There is but one party, one Government
in Mexico, whose wishes have claim to re-
spect from us. No policy has been adopted
by our Government which authorizes us to
interfere ON Mexican soil with that country,
but there is nothing, that | know of to pre-
vent the free passage of people or material
going through our territory to the aid of
the recognized Government.
Our neutrality should prevent our allow
ing the same thing when the effect is to
make war upon that Government so long
as we are at peace with it,"
And within the present year, Sheridan,
whose opinion of Grant is certainly worth
having, wrote as follows to friend:
at is perhaps needless for me to tell you
how light my heart is on account of the
glorious record, in front of which General
Grant now stands before the country.
The country begins to appreciate that his
was the only hand which patted me on the
shoulder and gave me encouragement,
when /, almost alone, stuck up my little
battle flag at New Orleans to assist second
time in saving the country and preserving
the record of our soldiers. Had Grant,
sherman, and myself, and others, gone
over to the enemy, much darkness would
have come upon the land.
Two solutions were necessary for the set
Element of the rebellion. The first was to
take away from it its military strength.
That was done at Appomattox. The sec
ond to take away its political strength.
That will be done next November. 1t will
be n short struggle, but as decisive as APP
pomatoX. ~. Y. Tribune.
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