New-York tribune., 1870-08-11
n STEPHENS ON GRAM.

Mr.. Stephens's constitutional view iron
"Secession standpoint of the War between the
"States.r Vol. III. Uhe last has just been
;ssued II is marked by all the distinguished
outbor,s acuteness, vigor, and Inconsistency.
We extract from it his impressions of Gen.
Grant. founded upon two days intimacy pre-
ceding his famous conference with Messrs
Lincoln and Seward in Hampton Roads, Feb
rlary 1865. Mr.. Stephens says;
"r was never so much disappointed in my life, in my
nreviousv formed opinions, of either the personal ap
noaranee or bearing of any about whom had read
and heard 40 much. The disappointment, moreover,
,ras in every respect favorable and agreeable.
was instantly struck with the great simplicity
and perfect nauralness OF his manners, ana the
entire absence Of everything like afecaon, show, or
even the usual military air or nten OF men IN MS
poston He was plainly attred, sitting in logcabln
busy writing on small table, by Kerosene lamp. tt
was night when we arrived There was nothing in his
onnoarance or surroundings which indicated his official
rank There were neither guards nor aids about him.
Ipon Col Babcocks rappng at his door, the response,
Come in was given by himself in tone OF voice, and
with a cadence which can never forget.
"His conversation was easy and fluent, without the
least effort or restraint In this nothing was so closely
noticed by the point and terseness with which he
expressed whatever he said He did not seem either to
court or avoid conversations but whenever he did speak,
what he said was directly to the point and covered the
whole matter in few words. I saw before being with
him long, that he was exceedingly quick in perception,
and direct in purpose with vast deal more Of brains
than tongue, as ready that was at his command.
ave were with Gen. Grant two days, as the cor
respondence referred to shows He furnished us with
comfortable quarters board of his dispatch boats
The more became acquainted with him, the more be
came thoroughly impressed with the very extraordinary
combination of rare elements Of character which he ex-
hbited During the tma he met us frequently and con-
yersed freely upon subjects not much upon our
mission. saw, however very clearly, that he was very
anxious for the proposed Conference to take place. and
from all that was said inferred-whether correctly or
not do not know-that he was fully apprised or ts
proposed object. He was, without doubt exceedingly
anxious for termination OF war. and the return OF
peace and harmony throughout the country. 1t was
through his instrumentallty mainly. that Mr Lincoln
finally consented meet at Fortress Monroe a. the
correspondence referred TO shows.
"But in further response to your inquiry will add:
that upon the whole the result Of this first acquaintance
with Cen Grant beginning with our going to- and end
ing with our return FROM Hampton Roads was the con
yicton my mind, that taken all In ALL he was one OF
the most remarkable had ever met wth and tnat
his career in life, If his days should be prolonged was
hardly entered upon that his character was not yet
fully developed; that he himself not aware of his
own power and if he lived, he would in the future,
exert a controlling influence in shaping the destines OF
this country either for good for evil Which 1t would
be- time and circumstance alone could disclose. That
was the opinion Of him then formed, and is the same
which has been uniformly expressed by me ever Since