The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-08-24

1HS 1tOfCldIlUlS 1IUlu OulOu6l Unity
Grant after Money when he Consented
to Run as Republican Candidate for
President.
From the Cincinnati Commercial.
Col. Forney has contributed to the
columns of the Sunday Chronicle of
Washington series of interesting
papers, filled with anecdotes of great
men with whom he has been associa-
ted In February last, one of his pa
pers related to the introduction of
Gen. Grant to the country as II candi-
date for the Presidency. The Colonel,
at the suggestion of Judge ID. X. Car
ter of Ohio, and Senator Thayer of
Nebraska, prepared five-column ar
ticle, the object of which was to make
u Republican record for Grant, and
get him before the people in the atti-
tude of Presidential candidate. For
ney and Thayer called with the proof
slips of this article upon Gen. Rawlins,
the Chief of Staff and confidential
friend of Gen. Grant, and submitted
it to him. Rawlins, after reading the
article, carried it to Grant, and at this
point the narrative becomes SO inter-
esting that we quote Forney's recol-
lections:
"When Rawlins came back from
Gen. Grant with the editorial, he told
us with great emphasis: Gen. Grant
does not want to be President. He
thinks the Republican party may need
him, and he believes as their candi-
date he can be elected and reelected;
butt said Rawlins, what is to become
of him after his second Presidential
term-what, indeed, during his adj
ministration He is receiving from
seventeen to twenty thousand dollars
Il year us General of the armies of the
Republie-a life salary. Togo into
the Presidency at twenty-five thou
sand dollars year for eight years is,
perhaps, to gain more fame but what
is to become of him at the end of his
Presidency? He is not politician.
He does not aspire to the place. Eight
years from the 4th of March, 1869, he
will be about fifty-six years old. Of
course he must spend his salary as
President. England, with her Wei
lington, with her Nelson and her 9TH
er heroes on land and sea, has never
hesitated to enrich and ennoble them
through all their posterity. Such n
policy is in accordance with the char
acter of the English Government, but
in our country the man who fights for
and saves the Republic would be II
beggar if he depended upon political
Office; and mark it, if Grant takes
any thing from the rich, whose vast
fortunes he has saved, after he is
President, he will be accused as the
willing recipient of gifts"
The spirit of the Grant Administra-
ton appears in this. Grant was intlu
enced by the incessant and foolish
flatterers about him to regard himself
as the savior of the nation, and he
wanted great deal of money for his
services. His Chief of Staff spoke for
him about the vast fortunes he had
saved; and yet if he accepted things
after he was President" he would be
accused as the willing recipient Of
gifts. This was Il broad hint that be-
fore he would consent to become Pre-
sident he must have more money. The
example of England was cited. Evi-
IDENTIFY it was regarded as intensely
mean that our rich men had not
poured their wealth at Grants feet,
and made u millionaire of him.
As for the one term of the Presiden-
cy-that was not worth the thinking
of. The honor and dignity of the Of
flee of President-the grave duties and
responsibilities the innumerable OPP
portunities for usefulness not
thought of. The only point of view
from which the office was regarded,
was how much would it pay--how
would q salary of $25, 900 for eight
years compare with salary of $l8, 900
for life So when Grant came to be
inaugurated he felt the responsible
ties of the office, but accepted them
"without fear" With his view of the
office what had he to fear? Certainly
nothing, except that he might not OBJ
tain two terms. The salary and glory
of the place were sufficient to insure a
good time.
Ills 1dDIIICU Iit VI SuiItHCo sls lIin
staff" He made IL complete mys-
terry of it until the envelope contain
ing the names was opened in the SEN
ate; and when the Cabinet was an
nalmcedo in that body there was a
panic. There was not Senator who
did not feel humiliated. Those who
are now among the loudest for Grants
election groaned and cursed in agony
of spirit. The Cabinet was the won
der of the age. Washburne and Rawl-
ins were made Secretaries of State and
War upon personal considerations
purely. Stewart, Borie and Hoar had
contributed cash, or its equivalent, to
the Presidential house or purse. Cox
had been suddenly beloved; and when
it was found that he could not play
the parts expected of personal fav-
olite he was ruled out.
| In New York those who had made
Grant presents secured all the offices.
In this city and neighborhood the
offices, large and small with the ex-
ception of the Second District Revenue