The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1870-06-23
Alexander -. stephens on
General Grant.

In the second volume OF NIcxanucr
II. Stephens Constitutional History
Of the War Of the Rebellion. the ad-
vance sheets OF which have been sen,
us, he gives the impression Of General
Gran,s character aud capacity made
upon his mind at the interview be-
tween them in January, 1868, at the
famous Hampton Roads Conference"
As Mr.. Stephens was Vice President
of the Conicderacy, aud certainly one
of the ablest men connected in an Off
cial capacity with the rebellion, his
opinion cannot be attributed TO par.
,iuliiy or interested motives. The
estimate formed by him Of the then
General OF the Army aud now Presi-
dent OF the United States, will be gen.
orally accepted as correct by all whose
intercourse with the President has
given them an opportunity 10 study
the man. Mr.. Stephens says:
Il was never so much disappointed in
my life, in my previously formed opin.
ions, Of either the personal appearance
or bearing Of any one, about whom |
had read and heard so much This
disappointment, moreover, was in every
respect favorable and agreeable. ]
was instantly struck with the great
simplicity yand perfect naturalncss OF his
manners, aud the entire absence OF
everything like aiicctation, show, or
even the usual military air or micn OF
men in his position. lie was plainly
a,tired, sitting in log cabin, busily
writing on small table, by kerosene
lamp. 1t was night when we arrived.
There was nothing in his appearance
or surroundings which indicated his
Official rank. There were neither
cuards nor aids about him. Upon
Col. Babcock's rapping at his door,
the response Come in,' was given by
himself, in tone Of voice, aud with a
cadence which can never forget. Ills
conversation was easy and fluent
without the least effort or restraint.
In tlis, nothing was so close y noticed
By me as the point and terseness with
which he expressed whatever he said,
lie did not seem either to court OF
avoid conversation, but whenever he
did speak, what was said was directly
TO the point and covered tho whole
matter 10 few words. | saw before
being with him long that he was ex'
cccdingly quick in perception and d.
rect in purpose, with a vast deal more
of brains than tongue, as ready as
that was at his command
"The more became acquainted
with him, the more ] became thor.
oughly Impressed with the very extra,
ordinary combination Of rare elements
Of character which he exhibited. Du-
ring the time ho met US frequently
and conversed freely upon various
subjects; not much upon our mission
] saw, however, very clearly that he
was very anxious for the proposed
Conference 10 take place, and from al
THAT was said iDterred-whether cor.
vcctly or not do not know--that be
was fully apprised of irs proposed OBJ
Gct. lie was, without doubt, ex-
ccedingly anxious for termination oi
The war, and the return Of peace and
harmony throughout the country. /,
was through his instrumentality
mainly, that Mr.. Lincoln finally con
scented to meet us at Fortress Monroe
ns the correspondence referred /,
shows.
I" But io further response to youl
inquiry, | will! add that upon tn,
whole the result of this first acquuint.
pnce with General Grant, beginning
with our going to, aud ending will
our return from Hampton Roads was
the conviction on my mind thar, taker
oil in all. he was one Of the most re-
markable men | had ever met with
and that his career in life, il his day
should be prolonged, was hardly en-
Tered upon that his character was
not yet fully developed; that he him
self was not yet aware OF bis own power
and that if he lived, he would, IN th'
future, exert controlling influence il
shaping the dcstiDics OF the country
either for good or for evil. Which i
would be, time and circumstances
alone could disclose. That was thu
opinion Of him then formed, and it il
the same which has been uniformly ex
pressed by me ever since"
s~sa>2z-nr.
TIE free traders. with a diplomac,