The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1868-10-24
General Grant Sketched by a
Clergyman.

Rev. r. P. Stebbins, d. D., in a letter to the
Monthly Religious Magazine, giving his expe-
rience Of" Six Months in Washington" thus al
ludes to General Grant:
OF the modsst, retired unassuning men which
we may chance to meet in Washington General
Grant is the chief He hates parade as he hates
hypocrisy. He loves frankness as he loves lfe
He is too Indifferent about his ordinary dress
and appearance; a little more regard to his at
tire would be better. In any gathering of a
hundred men he would be the last who would
be selected by stranger as the favorite of
nation, the great captain of the age. He is
easy in his manners, and ready and free in con-
versation. His voice is very pleasant and his
language good. He INDUCES in no extrava-
giant or strong expressions When anything is
said. complimentary to himself, lie is silent
entirely silent; he has not even thank ye''
to give in response, which makes one feel awk-
ward. Whether he SO detests compliments, how
ever discreetly worded and heartily spoken, that
he will not respond, or whether his modesty par
alyzes his tongue, is not clear. He evidently
has no fund of small talk. His conversation,
when l saw him in his library at his house, was
full Of sound sense and free from all exaggera-
ton. 1t was marked by a freeness of criticism
on men and measures which did not expect
from one of whose reticence had heard SO
much. Yet there was no bitterness of feeling
manifested when he spoke of those who had
wronged him most. He even made excuse for
the course of one eminent man who had been
his most active opponent, and whose friends
with or without his knowledge and approval,
had circulated the basest ISLANDERS about the
General throughout the country.
He is evidently a man of sound practical
Judgement; not visionary, not given even to
theorizing. He has no theories. 1t was evil
dent that all his ideas had been tested by prac-
tice. was happily disappointed by my inter-
view with him. l had had my fears respecting
his qualifications for civil life, though his wise
administration of affairs during the year in the
seeding States, had compelled me to modify
my opinion. left him with confidence that he
would as President eclipse his fame as General.
Thousands of stories have been circulated
through the country respecting his private
habits, which are utterly false. Whatever may
have been true at one period of his past life-of
that know nothing-his life is now irreproach-
able. His speech is free from the expletives
which dishonor many Of our public men. His
inveterate smoking is his only habit. 1t is to be
hoped that he will restrain or utterly abandon
this. But Of all the bad habits in which pub
lie or private man may indulge in Washington,
this is the least harmful No one, after an inter-
view with the General, will have any fear that
he will be bought or sold, wheedled or driven
Integrity and good sense arc Grants prime viz
tues; neither bribery nor sophistry can flank
these. He is rock which the wave of opposi-
ton and the sunshine Of favor can neither move
nor melt. If he is chosen President he will
honor the chair of State by filling it with integ-
rity, if not with grace.