The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-03-16

| 6A40b L AGbO R1VAQ1SCO 0Ous 0l01I W 6aA
his intercessicn with his friend. ! there
fore replied that I did not feel any in
terest in politics at that time, but that
desired TO see Gen. Blair elected to the
senate. The moment said this the old
man put aside his paper and asked:
| ''1s Gen. Blair candidate for the Sen
ate?"
Certainly" said.
''Then do most fervently hope he
will succeed; they can send there no bet
ter man."
The interest he manifested surprised
me, and rejoined: Father, you can
help him, if you will"
ZIP" he returned II will gladly do
so, but how?"
II understand Senator X is a
friend of yours. Will you ask him to
vote for Gen. Blair, and give him his in
fuence."
Certainly will,n he replied, and
taking up his hat. said in parting. II will
see him at once"
had known Father De Smet intimate
boy at college until that hour, and had
never heard fall from his lips the faintest
indication OF interest in public mon or
public measures; did not know that he
was even acquainted with Gen, Blair,
and was as much surprised at his ready
acquiescence in my request as if he had
accepted an invitation to the theatre.
Some time afterward, it May have
been the same day, it was certainly a
very short time after the scene / have
just described, he came into my store
and his salutation was.
Senator Xviii give his support
and vote for Gen. Blair for the United
States senate
Ofcourse ! felt gratified, and thereup-
on ventured to express my surprise at
the active interest he had displayed IN
the matter. He said:
II have asked Senator X-to vote
tor Gen. Blair as y special personal favor
to me, and told him why it would be
a great favor. will now tell you. In
1869. I think it was, our father provin-
cial, at my request, had granted me per-
mission to visit again. after long alb
sence, my children of the forest. the
Flat head and Blackfeet Indians. l had
fully prepared for the journey when l
discovered that the United Stated gov
eminent had tor military reasons drawn
its lines along the entire Indian frontier
and it was therefore impossible to get
through without pass. was informed
that could not get pass without going
to Washington. | accordingly journey
ed to the capital but on my arrival /
found that all my friends who had been
members OF congress at my last visit
were either dead or in the rebellion.
had no alternative, therefore but to call
on Gen., Blair, who was then represent
inc ST. Louis in the lower house. Hav-
ing never met him, went to his resi-
dence and introduced myself and tile SUBJ
ject of my mission, and asked his good
| offices. He requested me TO call on him
the following morning at 10 o'clock, and
in the meanwhile ne would see what
| could be done. l did so, entered his
carriage, and was driven to the white
house. On the route he was kind enough
| to say that he had heard of my labor
| among the IndizaA and finally asked me
| if had any money with which to reach
| my destination. told him that could
get sufficient to bring me to the borders
of civilization, and after that laughingly
remarked that would walk the rest OF
the way. After leaving the carriage,
and when Just about to enter the Presi-
dental mansion, he stopped me and
said: Father DE Smet, am about to
introduce you to President Lincoln, and
to ask from him a favor tor you. Please
promise me that you will express no sur
prise at what either he or | may say,
but that you will content yourself with
thanking him if he grants my request"
l readily acceded. We fonnd the presi-
dent in his room leaning upon his hand
with a weary expression OF countenance
as though he were entertaining sad
thoughts. Hisface however. lighted up
at our coming. and after being formally
introduced we took chairs and he opened
the conversation with this remark to Gen.
Blair:
Prank. is Father De Snet trying to
makes Catholic out Of you, or are you
trying to make Presbyterian out Of
him. which?"
Neither, Mr. President, but l have
come here to ask favor tor him from
you.
What is it?"
| Mr.. Stanton tells me- said the gen
eral. that the 4th cavalry, / think It is
the 4th cavalry, is stationed out on the
| northwestern frontier, and that they
have no chaplain. want you to make
Father De Smet chaplain Of the regiment
aud give him four-months furlough. at
| y hich time he expects to return from
his mission, when he can resign unless
he wants to go into the war"
The President immediately took up
his pen. wrote few lines, and handed
the paper to Gen. Blair. saying. Take
| that to Stanton"
Before had time to say q word,
Mr.. Lincoln took me BY the hand and in
bidding me adieu remarked: You will
do more good out there than all my SOL
diers and commissioners, There was
pay attached to the position (for
believe l ranked as major), but / never
drew it. OF course / thanked Gen.
| Blair for the handsome manner in which