Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-02-06
ISpe iai Correspondence Of the "World."l
Grants Views of Public Men.
WASHINGTON, January

AtiS very NIcaS niist"ho " SUPPOSE
General Grant is as reticent as papers and
people say he is. IF he ever had a spc-
cial object in being deaf and dumb as a
candidate, the policy and necessity have
passed away with his election as President.
Grant talks freely with his friends about
his friends, and about public men who are
not his friends, and he has decided opin-
ions, some ofwhich I propose to give you
in nearly the same words in which he has
very recently expressed his views to friends
and correspondents who have asked him
about certain public men. He has spoken
with entire freedom concerning the Tenure
of Office bill, grants to railway companies,
and other matters; and without pretend
ing to entire verbal accuracy, am ably
now to give you his expressed opinions
about some other matters, and especially
about men concerning whom he would
naturally talk about this time.
HIS OPINION OF EL1HU B. wAsHBURNE.
General Grant likes to talk about his
friends, about Washburne particularly, and
Of Washburnc General Grant says; He
is strictly honest mana rare thing, ]
sometimes think, among politicians. His
hobby is economy in the administration Of
government; a very creditable hobby, but
men who ride hobbies are very apt 10 have
circumscribcd views. lido not think Wash
burne desires place in my Cabinet. l
think his ambition is to succeed Yates in
the Senate. He has never intimated to me
wish for any appointment under me. I
could not we'll refuse him anything he
asked, unless it was clearly inconsistent
with the public interests. Washburne was
my friend when I needed friends-when it
was no advantage to be my friend, and
when | had very few friends anywhere
scarcely any outside the army. My friends
are very numerous now. often wonder
how many of them would remain my friends
if my position and patronage were taken
away from me. The friends Of my adver-
sity I shall always cherish most. l eau
better trust those who helped to relieve
the gloom Of my dark hours than those
who are so ready to enjoy with me the
sunshine Of my prosperity. The newpa-
pers cannot ALLEVIATE me from Washburnc
by any abuse of him or ridicule Of his sup
posed influence with and over me. Wheth.
er Washburne should be a member of my
Cabinet or not, shall always listen to his
counsel with great respect"
WHAT GRANT THINKS OF WILLIAM p. FEs.
sENDEN.
General Grant says Of Fcsscnden: al
regard him as the ablcst statesman in the
Senate. He is man Of high order of
intellect, Of catholic views, of large and
well-improvcd experience, and has that
moral courage which is far more commend
able as it is far rarcr than physical courage.
I have differed from his opinions. some
times. When I did, involuntarily re.
called the kind words of Mr.. Lincoln: III
am satisfied now that you were right and I
was wrong"
SENATOR SUMNER.
"Scnator Sumner" says General Grant,
sis great scholar and finished orator.
I am not we'll qualified to Judge such men
as Sumner. He is faithful representa-
tive Of his State. If he had not been chos-
en- by Massachusetts,, do not believe he
would ever have been . member Of the
United States Senate"
WENDELL PHILLIPS.
~ know nothing personally, said Gen
eral Grant lately. "of Mr. Phillips. l
have never read any Of his speeches ex.
cept those attacking me. I should have
respected him and accredited him with
more honesty Of purpose if he had opposed
my election. I certainly could never sup.
port man thought as weak and bad
man ~ he professed to believe me to be. l
have survived his attacks and hope he may
survive his malice towards me-"
aENERAL MCCLELLAN AND THE CABINET.
In answer to the inquiry about the news
paper story that he had offered Cabinet
portfolio to General Mcclellan, General
Grant said: "Thcreis no truth in the re-
port that l had offered General Nc
Clellan place in my Cabinet" After a
moments reflection he added: II do not
say that ! haye not though Of doing it, and
ifI do it know Of no one who has right
to object. When / am inaugurated Iskall
be President Of the United States-not the
head Of party. l shall be the executive
officer Of the whole people-uot Of a mere
majority. If the interests Of the people
can bc served by any man, Iwould have no |
right to set him aside because he did not
vote for me. Of course, all other things
being equal, my personal or political pref
erence might justly decide the competition.
But l shall never remove . good man and
competent officer who is Democrat, to |
make place for bad man, or an incomps-
tent man, who is Republican. / know |
something Of politicians. While I believe
l was the FIRST choice Of the masses Of the |
Republican party, l believe / Was the last
choice Of q majority Of its leaders. Ifthcse |
latter had imagined there was any possibil-
ty Of electing anybody else they never
would have nominated mo. As We soldiers
say Of things ws don't ike to do, or doubt
the right Of doing, it is military neeessi.
ty; so the politicians considered my uomin.,
alton a party necessity. Therefore, while