The Portland daily press., 1873-08-27
TERMS $500 PER ANNUMIN ADyAxcE

DSlonSed 10 thaJ 700 numerous class of our
countrymen who admit more boastfuIly than
apologetically that they do no. trouble their
heads about politics-that before the war he
was border State Democrat-that even a.
late as 1860 he probably voted for Douglas
instead of Lincoln-though this is mere con-
jectu-e-I am inclined to the belief that he
has beeu one of the most apt, Gligent and
successful students in political history of any
man in his generation. To have diy-sted
himself of all those cankering prejudices of
an unhealthy and effete civilization which de-
veloped themselves in such phrase as .'this Is
white mans country" or such bad orthog-
raphy as the spelling Of negro with two "g's'
was no small sign of progress. But this was
only the initial chapter in his political educa-
ton. He has fully comprehended the logic of
the situation. He pressed the fifteenth amend
ment into the constitution. He broadened
the old phrase so suggestive of fnarrow-mind-
ed selfishness intoa generous Living sentiment
and fact "this is a free couutryr' He enfor-
ced civil rights, ignored the distinction
among them, based upon complex
ion and opered the way for unimpeded COM
petition in every avenue of enterprise and en-
ergy to all who chose to enter the lists, irres.
p9ctive OF color, creed or nativity.
Nor has the General been unmindful of the
Importance of promoting the material pros
perity OF the country, Alike in his efforts to
reduce the expenses of the government, and
to foster our commercial, manufacturing, agri-
cultural and mineral resources he has given ev-
idence of his rarid growth in practical states
manship.
Now that there are no electioneel:ng pur-
poses to be served by the endeavor to create
erroneous impressions concerning the nation
al executive, his political opponents can af-
ford to dispense with Misrepresentation of
him. In the heat of Presidential campaign
perfect avalanche Of grotesque fabrication
rained from the hustings He was called a
gift taker, who never took single present of
any kind from the day of his candidacy-a
nepotist. although the entire list of kinsmen
on whom he conferred inconsiderable offices.
numbered only nine persons, and several of
those were relations by marriage or far re-
moved-of Incorporate habits, notwithstand-
ing he is notably abstemious save in the use
of cigars-a quarrelsome man albeit he is The
very personifcation of amiabiIity and kind
ness, and his domestic life is model of seren-
ity--and self wilied, in spite of the fact that
it is exceptionally rare to find so much firm
ness OF character blended with such consider
| ate Difference TO the opinions of others.
The people have already signifed their ap-
m ho ortIs
manner, and history may be trusted to do JUS
tice to his merits, but it is as well that his
| contemporaries should understand him. There
is so little of the glitter and show of rank
about him, he is so simple and unpretentous
in his manners, that the superficial and un-
thinking would be very apt to mistake reti-
cence for inaptitude for conversation and
modest diffidence for stolidity. The plain truth
is that he is ready talker with charming
freedom from the pedantry which too often
mars brilliant conye7satiol-a man of thought
as well as of action-intensely American
| with far reaching views of the "destiny' of
the new world, and possessed of exactly the
kind of solid qualities which befit a man to
govern Republic wisely
find have been somewhat unconsciously
led into far more elaborate sketch of the
President than intended. NV only excuse
for so wide diversion from my original plan
is the heimpression his remarks on public affairs
made upon me during the interview at North
Conway.
As am neither camp follower nor court
favorite-as have never been the recipient
CT executive bounty, and have no aspirations
in that direction, have written with entire
sincerity and impartiality, restrained only by
considerations of propriety which have care
fully borne in mind. l have to be sure an
smbittered recollection of tue torrents of cal
umny which were poured upon the head of
Gen. Grant during the CANVASS last fall, but
my wrath at that ignoble spectacle is greatly
mollifed by a contemplation of the punish
ment, swift and terrible, which overlook his
traducers, and while they are too base to de-
serve pity, they have sunk quite beyond the
relch of Indignation
But now the music sounds aud the ball
opens. The President and Mrs Blaine lead
the procession. Miss Grant follows her fa-
ther leaning on tbe arm of the Speaker. Dane
ing succeeds the brief ceremony of iutroduc-
ton. Miss Nellie joins in every set, and begs
for one more after her father has expressed
wish to retire. The room is full but not un-
comfortably crowded, and the company is Sc
lect aud elegant. At half past eleven, when
Miss Nellie has enjoyed the one more dance
which the General patiently awaits the con-
clusion of, they withdraw.
Next morning the whole party assemblies at
breakfast at O'Clock, and coaches are in read
iness to take them to the cars where a special
train is waiting to convey them to Bartlett.
Thence they proceed to the Glen, where they
arrive at II o'clock, and after brief reception
in the grand parlor. the owner OF the establish
ment, Mr.. Milliken, Portland merchant in
vites the Presidential party to lunch. Al
though there had been too short am interval
since breakfast to admit of aDybody's being
hungry this sunr tuous and regal feast was so
alluring that ample justice was done to it.
In variety, in daintiness of cooking, in COM
pleteness of service, it was an entertainment
of which Delmonico might be proud. 1t was
alike creditable to the hospitality of Mr. Milli-
ken and the resources of the Glen House.
The ride up Mt. Washington by stage over
the carriage road on the Glen side is a tedious
journey even in sunshine. But our way was
obscured byclouds aud moistened during the
last half cft the journeyby the drizzle ola per-
etrating fog. Nevertheless the President set the
company an example of philosophic patience
and every body in the three carriages which
formed our procession was cheerful and mer-
ry. We reached the summit at o'c oc :
Gov. Straw was there to greet the President,
and after brief rest and some hand-shaking in
the Sunni. House, we all set down to din
ner. Gov Straw officiating as host. At 5
o'clock all hands entered tue car which sto.d
at the door an it was soon despatched down
the steep declvity on the Crawford side.
This descent derived additlon'l interest from
the presence of he manager, Mr.. John W.
Dodge, who explained the workings of the
engine, in che mechanism and propulsion Of
which Gen. Grant manifested lively interest.
We reached the end of the railway at 81
o'clock. All proceeded thence to Fsbyan's