Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-22

the White House to the Capitol to deliver
his inaugural, was dramatic simplicity. But
Grant gives no thought to effect makes no
parade Of not making parade. In walking
he carries his head, that wonderfully COM
pact evenly modelled head, slightly forward
and little to one side and he has in public
places an absent yet acquiescent air, as Of
one being taken somewhere rather than going
Of his own yoliton, which is usually the case,
as he is the most oblging, informal and uf.
magsterial Of Chief Magistrates. To me
there is something strange in the ordinary pas.
siyity Of such will as his He seems not
only modest but a diflident man. Great
heroes before him have been 50. This Diff
dence may often be taken for Indifference and
insensibility | think | have seen the sure
marks Of it in his intercourse with children,
for whom he really has the fondness char
actcristic Of Mr.. Lincoln He has no small.
talk for small interviewers, but he is not
above listening. to them, and have noticed
that they novef account him hard or cold.
They have perhaps the instinct to understand
and the grace to interpret that riddle for
statesmen, reporters, and fine ladies', the face
Of President Grant.
a few evenings ago, a little party Of us
assembled to witness some private theatri-
calls Of the simplest and most Juvenile sort, at
the home Of one of the Cabinet Minister'S.
The family from the White House called,
quite unexpectedly. On being told what was
on the tapis, the President expressed desire
to sec the performance, "if the children would
not object OF course they did not, though
quaking in their buskins, but did their poor
best before their august audience and we're
rewarded by Presidential laughter and ap.
pIause. Watching our president as he sat
smiling kindly at the little comedy, that quaint
bit of childish comic-ife, it was almost impos-
sible to realize that he was indeed that captain
Of captains, who, few short years ago, was
the central figure in a mighty drama ofbattle,
whose stage was the world. think we
ought to strive to realize this more; it seems
to me there is too much petty cavil at this
mans non-observance Of some of the small
conventioualities which we call "the etiquette
Of the position;" too many newspaper plat.
tudes that he enjoys his cigar, that he loves
horses (bless him for that y that he does not
make speeches on all trivial occasions bless
him for that too y in short, that he does not
do the department of his place according
to arstocratic democratic theories, that he
is not the President of precedent
I'VE had eyes and chose him."
Let us remember that God gives to one
soul genius to think and aspire to another
to do and to be. There is the inspired prophet
brain, which says, 81 see Il believe"-and
there is the imperial, compulsive brain, which
says, AM WILL !" Who shall say
which is the grater2 Each by a divine law,
ancient as time, gravitates to its fit period
and place. Because tho night of our tribula-
tion is past, do not let us cease to thank God
for the strong hand which upheld and guided
us through its heaviest darkness above all,
let us not quarrel with that hand, if it takes
not kindly to Paris kids, or if the grip it
learned upon the sword-hit sometimes makes
slippery, sclf.seeking, political fingers tingle