The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-05-30
GRfNT-S EUROPE.iN TRIP.
How n has been Enthusiastically Work ed Up for
him beforehand by PIerrepont, washbuine,
and Bancroft Davis. the Bride Taker.


and Bancroft Davis. the Bribe Taker.
LONDON, May 17-Gcn Grant, we are in
formed, is to leave Philadelphia to-day on his
way to Europe. At this very hour perhaps
the Indiana. an Amcrican-buit steamer, proud.
ly waving the American 1ag. is slowly gliding
out Of tho Delaware river. amid the cheers OF
thousands of his fellow citizens delighted to sec
that tho greatest General Of the greatest repub-
lie Is at last going TO take n rest after his long
and overpowering services to tho country.
That is tho kind OF general picture which We
paint In our imagination. and very imposing
picture 1t Is: but now am going to tell you
some facts with reference to this very trip.
Since tho appointment Of Mr.. Plerrcpont as
Minister to tho British court he has boon
steadily working up among the people whom
he has met the idea that Gen. Grant on his visit
to Europe should be received with State honors.
This willy diplomatst has done his best to
impress upon tho mcmbcrs of the Cabinet and
Parliament and tho editors of the leading
papers. and all such public men generally as he
happened to meet in society that Grants visitto
Europe was the best opportunity ever yet afford
ed for stopping all the ancient misunderstood
ings and rivalrics and cementng an eternal
friendship between tho two countries.
Any compliment paid to tho illustrious
General and ox-presidcnt would bc, he
argued. considered throughout tho United
states as homage paid TO the great republic. He
cuuningy nsinuntcd that in case Of war be-
tween England and Russia. great advantage
would be derived by Grcat Britain from such
complimentary demonstrations to Gen. Grant.
American priVatccring. which would very liko-
~ to arise in casc Of war. was sure 10 be- pre-.
vented If good feeling were established between
the two countries by such courtesy shown TO the
American nation. "Whateycr our defects may
b." he said. "we arc fair and generous
people; and if England shows proper regard
and consideration to our greatest General and
our highest magistrate. our Government as
well as our citizens generally. will always re-
member 1t. and this will prevent all chance Of
English interests being in case of a complica-
ton in Europe. injured through American
action or influence"
In Paris and Berlin the legations Of the United
States have been working up Grants reception
with equal energy. The pryateering argument
could not so easily be brought into play in
France as in Germany but the legations have
done their best to persuade both Government
and prominent individuals that England was
going to receive Grant with the greatest ecldt.
and that neither France nor Germany ought to
bc bchindhand in acknowledging the merits Of
the greatest and most success al General of the
United States
4 taeit belief prevails hero among the part-
sans OF Grant that this trip to Europe will ulu-
mat"y provo n momontous event in American
politics. They believe that II Grant H. received
with quasi-royal honors throughout Europe.
his name and fame will become familiar 10
every man. woman. and child in the cities
through which he will pass. and that his popu-
larity at home will be immensely increased. so
that no opposition Of any kind Will be
able TO prevent his reelection in 1850. They
tell you that America has not as yet expo
renccd the influence Of European opin-
ion on her political affairs. but that will
have to como some day; and that Grant
may be forced upon the people OF the United
States much in the same way as Theirs was
upon the people Of France. The oil French
statesmuns achievements and quail lcations
great as they Wore. might have rcma ned I'M
rccu sniz j by q great many Of his countrymen.
Opposition To- him was very strong. yet he be-
cam" President. and may become SO again II he
lives long enough. simply because tho whole
world thinks that there e no other man better
ntt'lto pr side over the dest nes Of Franco. He
has been declared g. be a proyilental man, and
why should not Grant be pr1yilcntial. too2
Tho ahsurdity II these ideas. and the humbug
Of tho whole work Of the American legations in
Europe. become step by step evident 10 people
watching these Proceedings here; und thought
il might ho useful IA inform you Of what was
going on in this respect. So that the true light
might he euetupon such demonstrations and re-
capu rs as the cX-pr, silcut may ue favored
with IN this hemisphere.