The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1872-10-15
III. STEPHENS ON GEN.
GRANT.

In the second volume of his "History of
the Rebellion" Alexander Fl. Stephens, who
as to intelligence and keen discrimination has
no superior in the Southern States, gives his
impressions of Gen. Grant, as made upon his
first and only interview with him. They are
as follows
"I was never so much disappointed in my
life in my previously formed opinions of either
the personal appearance or bearings of any
one about whom had read and heard so much.
The disappointment, moreover, was in every
respect favorable and agreeable. / was inst
autly struck with the great simplicity and per-
feet naturalness of his manners, and the entire
absence of everything like affectation, show,
or even the usual military air or mien of men
in his position. He was plainly attired, sit
ting i'll a log cabin, busily writing ON a small
table, by q kerosene lamp. 1t was night when
we arrived. There was nothing in his appear
ance or surroundings which indicated his
official rank. There were neither guards nor
aids about him. Upon Col. Babcoel's rap
ping at his door, the response, Come in
was given by himself in a tone of voice and
with cadence which | can never forget. His
conversation was easy and fluent, without the
least effort or restraint. In this nothing was
so closely watched by me as the point and
terseness with which he expressed whatever
he said. He did not seem either to court or
avoid conversation but, whenever he did
speak, what he said was directly to the point
and covered the whole matter in - few words.
| saw, before being with him long, that he
was exceedingly quick in perception and direct
in purpose, with vast deal more brains than
tongue, as ready as that was at his command.
The more became acquainted with
him, the more became thoroughly impressed
with the very extraordinary combination of
rare elements of character which he exhibited
4 u Upon the whole the result of this
first acquaintance with Gen. Grant beginning
with our going to and ending with our return
from Hampton Roads, was the conviction in
my mind that, taken all in all, he was one of
tie most remarkable men had ever met with,
and that his career in life, if his days should
be prolonged, was hardly entered upon, n
That was the opinion of him then formed,
and it is the same which has been uniformly
expressed by me ever since"
Here is the tribute Which Mr.. Stephens
writing as historian, though politically OPP
posed to Gen. Grant, is constrained to pay to
the great conqueror of the Rebellion. What
ever Mr.. Stephens may have been or may be
in other respects his candor in dealing with
Gen. Grant ought to teach such men as Sena-
tor Sumner a wholesome lesson. His is the
opinion of political opponent and defeated
ex-rebel, given by one who shows his capacity
to do Justice to the real character of the great
hero whose achievements will ever be the pride
of his country. 1t is lamentable that the
heat Of political strife should be the occasion
for mangling such men as Washington, Lin
coin, and Grant The decent sense of graft
tude ought to prevent the sandefs of a parti-
san tongue.-N. Z. independent.