The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-07-15
Grants Habits. Tastes, and Mental
characteristics.

Grants personal habits and tastes are ex.
csedlnSly simple. He despises the pomp and
plicity and manly pride, he scorns all adyenti-
tious aids to popularity. He lives plainly
himself, and cannot tolerate ostentation or
extravaganza In those about him His mess
was never luxuriously, though always bounti-
fully, furnished with army rations, and such
supplies as could be transported readily and
he permitted to follow his headquarters. His
appetitcs are all under perfect control. He 10
very abstemious, and during his entire West
ern campaign the officers OF his staff were for
hidden to bring wines or liquors into camp.
He has been represented as one OF the most
taciturn OF men, and In one respect he is
such. He never diyulges his thoughts till
they are matured, and never aspires to speech
making and even In private conversation he
falls Into silence Il he suspects that he Is
Of men, and nothing annoys him more than a
loud parade Of personal opinion, or personal
vanity but with his intimate friends, either
all subjects, not only nuently and copiousiy,
manner.
His life has been too busy to read history or
technical works, but he has always been a
clone and careful reader OF the newspapers.
He has q retentiye memory, and is deeply In
terested 10 all matters which concern the In
terests OF humanity, and particularly his own
country, Upon all such subjects, In fact, upon
all the vital questions OF the day, he thinks
carefully and profoundly, and expresses him
dcrstanding Is OF that incisive character that
soon probes question to the bottom, no
matter how much the politicians or news
papers may labor to confusej while his judg.
mcnt Is so deliberate, honest, and truthful In
Its operations, that 1t may be Implicitly relied
upon to arrive at fair and unbiased conclu-
sion. His memory is stored with personal In
eidents Illustrative of men and manners In all
parts OF the country, showing that he has evil.
IDENTIFY been profound student OF human ma
ture throughout life; his appreciation OF men
and character has never been surpassed. This
was well shown In the reorganization OF the
army after be became Lieutenant Gene raj. 1t
Is well known that he did not fail In a single
instance where change WAS made In putting
the right man In the right place. This was due
neither to chance nor snap judgment, but to
his habit OF careful observation.
He warns toward bold, outspoken, and
loyal nature; full OF ardor and real himself, he
naturally admires these qualities In others
lie has no patience with weak, complaining,
and selfish disposition, and cannot endure
double dealing or indebtedness of any sort
straightforward and frank himself, he respects
these qualities wherever they are found. In.
deed, the most striking peculiarly OF his ma
ture, both as a man and a general, is a pro-
found and undertaking truthfulness In all
things Those who have known him best will
bear willing testimony to the statement that
he never told falsehood, or made voluntary
Of facts and will believe us
that 1t would be almost as impossible for him
to do so as for the needle to forget Its fidelity
to the pole.-Dand'S LIFE Of Grant