The Republican journal., 1870-07-14
Correspondence of the Journal
PRESIDENT GRANT IN CONNECTICUT.

HIant lof lilc IFeSluent nau consented to pay Il
visit to our State To celebrate the glorious old
lllng-bursting "tFrcase of Edom" Fourth-of-.Julv
by eating a baked clam or two at Woodstock.
Conn.,, would be the ostensibe objective point of
this tour. Since then the Woodstock Clam-Bak
and Grafton has been constantly handled theme
: 1t was charged in the Spring, by the Democratic
press, that this early announcement was made in
order to influence the election in favor of the Grant
administration. But how the ballot of one single
voter could have been changed by that is beyond
my comprehension. and is one of those subtle
III! sefes OF logic which shall not attempt to PEN
etfalc. IL VIII be remembered in this connection
tal Inc vote OF the State was strongly Democratic
FouItll-ot-Juy celebrations are becoming sadly
hackneyed atfairs-although the bows still firmly
believe i'll them and cling to their trat he joip.
And although celebrations are bore to people who
DO not have holidays enough to know how to enjoy
one Yet it is well that Americans do not feel within
to let this day pass umocd, which really elori-
Gus in associations. And in these DAYS of admitted
political degeneracy it is refles hing to contemplate
retrospectivey the moral rectitude civil saeaaitv
and really high motives of the founders Of hi.
,, Republic U believe the Fourth is Of late wears
remembered principally in Maine as it Is bv Hart
ford Insurance Companies, as being tne annivrrsl-
ry of the great Portland fire.
" hen the coming of a real live President within
our borders became a certain ft, every one cheer
fully determined TO temporarily bury the political
hachet-thoush not very deeply perhaps--tn,i An
We're ready to honor the distinguished guest in \
manner becoming his exalted station Those whose
political bias would not allow of admiration for the
successful General were heartily glad to show all
due respect to the Chief MAGISTRATE of the Nation
One of the committee of receptiou was no other
than prominent democrat, Mr. A. f. Burr. editor
of the Hartford Daily Times. 4 gentleman who has
criticised Grant more severely throughout his
whole extraordinary public career than any other
writer in this State. l. not this pc ntel illIlstr-
ton of the irony of circumstance 10 Uefrav the
expenses Of the reception the city council appropri-
otel five hundred dollars. one fellow not contcnl-
ed with this walls. 20 that ii were time for green
corn how Connecticut would like to shell out ~
Full two weeks before the presidential visit the
committee had cut and dried all arrangements and
decided just how every hour should be occupied :
i)ust when His ''t!e" EYcellcncy should he bored
ny WINDY harangucs, Just when the Administration
stomach should receive attention, and when the
Administrative limbs should kick off their attend
ant CATERS and find repose. Nor did they fail to
announce the exact moment when the ''vulear
herd should be LET in upon their lion and allowed
to dSlocltc his right arm at publ reception.
This 'cutting and drying" process i. familiar
enough. yet it never ceases to command my un.
qualified admiration and wonder, uSt as does In
tervieWing" and the locomotive. and the telegraph
This art seems in fair WAY to supp liant all ,pon-
taneity of action. Here is an illustration: One
Sunday. not long since, being without an mmaru-
late handkerchief with which TO hide my eyes,
was surprised to observe the CLERGYMAN read his
eloquent prayer from printed slips. But the myS-
terry was explained next morning, when read an
exact report of both prayer and sermon in the
Coui;nt. The reverend gentleman had furnished
himself with the authors advance Sheets.
/ The President, Mrs. Grant, Miss Nellie ana
Master Jessie Grant, with Gen. Porter of the staff
and two or three other distinguished per~ona@es,
were met at New York on Saturday morning by
EX-Goyernors Jewell and IIawev of Connecticut
The party left that city after $ A. NJ. The I'M
mediate presidential party occupied drawing
room car; IN another car We're reporters from an
the great cities. Arrived at Bridgeport the rres-
dent was exhibited to the citizens for the space of
ten minutes At Stamford, Coy, English and staff
formally welcomed him to the State. At New
llaVcn he remained about two hours. in which
-ime he held reception and also visited both
branches Of Legislature in session. About the
middle of Saturday afternoon the President reach
ed Hartford. Here he was driven quietly and
speedily, without escort, to the residence of Ev-
Governor Jewell where great preparation had
been made. one chamber was fitted up expressly
for the use of General and Mrs. Grant 1t m cx-
pcnse of one thousand dollars.
At . O'Clock the distinguished guest was formally
escorted to the Allyn House, and there public re-
ception was held-lastine one hour
While the procession moved down the avenue a
salute was fired the Park. The Governors
Foot Guarda Snowy company--heslded by the
Armory Band of Springfield, and the Ciy Guard,
accompanied by Colt Band, acted .S It Guard of
honor. During the reception the Allyn House was
bcstged 10y countless multitude: not one half of
the people there We're enabled 10 reach the august
presence"
Just three years ago shook hands with Prrsi-
dent Johnson in the same hotel parI0r. As rc-
member him, his bearing was more graceful nj that
public reception than WAS Gen. Grants yesterday.
Johnson has an advantage i'll imposing presence
and grand physique. In regard to faces | will
draw no comparisons. Suffice it to say, that frnt-
ness is the strong characteristic Of either rountrm-
ance. At Johnsons reception heard an :lmnine
lrishman Say-"Ah what a head Andy has cot ON
his shoulders.-it is Just like Il bulls" The
pictures of Grant have made his form and face so
familiar 10 all, that description is unnecessary
The popular Impression that his pictures do hi \
looks injustice is incorrect, Photographers and the
ray of lhu'bu~ have been Kind to him
Last evening 'priyate receptions" so called. in
honor of Mrs and Gen. Grant was held at eX-tiov,
JeWcll'S house. To this. twelve hundred invita-
tons issued. The spacious grounds around
Jewels residence We're brilliantly lighted ly calcium
lights and Chinese lanterns; band ,iiscour,ed fine
music; the toilets Of the ladies were superb and
the scene was indeed gay and beautiful. To-day
the Presidential party are resting in privacy.
The village of Woodstock, where the celebration
Will be Tomorrow is in the northeast corner of
the State, on the Massachusetts and Connecticut
State line. and is four miles from the railroad at
Putnam and sixty from the sea-coaSt A queer
place for clam bake, perhaps You say? Every
horse within twenty miles of Woodstock, was long
ago engaged TO do his level best on the great liy
in trans sporting visitors from the railroad station 1T
Putnam. Extra trains will bring thousands of PEG
pie. AT Woodstock the President will be the guest
of Henry G. Bowen Esq. proprietor of The hide
pendent. Mr.. Bowen has actually secured Gilmorc'~
Band, Arbuckle and all. The Hutchinson family
have offered to sing, and say they mean to whether