Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-12-08
TIE KING MAKERS.
The Men In the Movement to Put Grant
Upon the Bulgarian Throne.

Philadelphia correspondence New York
Sun: l tried on Saturday to find Mr.
Childs In order to ascertain what truth there
is in the report connecting General Grant
with the Bulgarian throne, but Mr.. Childs
had gone to New Y ork with Mr.. Tony Drexel,
not TO return till late at night. Yesterday
had better luck. | called at his house in the
evening and sent IN my card. Word came
back that Mr.. Childs was busy entertaining
large party of guests at dinner, but that he
would be happy to see me on Monday morn
ing at quarter past ten in his private Office In
the Ledger building.
| had been waiting not more than two
minutes when the proprietor of the Ledger
came in, good-natured and rosy after a brisk
walk down Chestnut street. He placed his
dripping umbrella In a great cylinder vase of
Satsuma ware, and threw his overcoat over
tue back of a carved ebony chair of the Louis
Q1atorze period.
You have SEEM" l said, ''the dspatch
from PhilippopolIs to the London Standard
asserting that General Grant has been pro-
posed as a candidate for king of Bulgaria ?"
Certainly said Mr.. Childs, with queer
expression on his face.
you smile, Mr.. Chids,'' said 1. "You
think that the story is absurd?"
by no manner of means" he replied
"On the contrary, have every reason to be-
lieve that the report is strictly true"
Mr.. Chids's smile broadened until it quite
preparatory chuckes he broke into hearty
laugh.
Perhaps l ought not to let it out" he
continued; "but the fact is, this idea of es-
tablishIug General Grant on the Bulgarian
throne originated with few OF his intimate
friends In this country and Europe, among
whom | may mention myself, Colonel Forney,
General Badeau, Mr.. Mackay, the Nevada
millionaire, and Dr. Evans, of Paris. The
immense popularity Of General Grant with
all classes, in all parts of Europe, from the
titled nobility down to the peasantry, as at
tested Uy the enthusiastic welcome given hun
wherever he went. and by the beautiful and
expensive presents which are now intrusted
to my keeping indicated to US the reception
which such proposal would be sure to meet.
You see that the idea has taken like wildfre,
both here and abroad. DR.: Evans predicted
that it would, months ago."
But has General Grant known of the plan :?
How does he like it?"
He has known of it only in a general
way, through Badeau. / think he likes it.
| think he has always been reluctant to come
back to America TO settle down IN the ca
pacity of a private citizen. He Is naturally
ambitious. He wants to be doing something
all the time. His energy and genius would
find splendid employment In building up
the new kingdom and making the Bulgarian
kingdom respected the world over"
May | ask how it all has been brought
about? Who first proposed Grants name?
Who worked up public opinion In Bulgaria
IN favor of his candidacy"
Mr. Cnilds hesitated. II don't think it
judcious," said he, ito give the secret his
tory of the campaign just at present. will
tell you, however, what you probably know
already, that this matter OF a Bulgarian king
will be settled, not in Bulgaria, but at the
great capitals OF Europe-at Paris, London,
Berlin aud st. Petersburg. Badeau has made
Influential acquaintance In England, and
DR.. Evans, as you are aware, Is a power at
Paris. Mackay is immensely rich, and will
ing to spend almost any sum for legitimate
expenses, and at Berlin there is Rev. DR.
Thompson, formerly of your city. Perhaps /
something toward forwarding General
Grants interests"
You think General Grant would make a
good king, Mr.. Childs?'
81 am sure Of it, sir" answered he, "Gen-
erGl GRAFT is the most remarkable man of the
century. He would make an admirable king"
Should you be inclined to accept any posi-
ton OF dignity and trust In his court If he
should offer It to your"
Mr.. Childs looked searchingly at the
writer's face for few seconds. He saw
nothing but candor and perfect good faith,
and replied: "Oh, no! | shall not leave
Philadelphia in any event. If General Grant
accepts the Bulgarian crown | should like
very much to visit him amid his new sur
rouudiDgs. | don't know but what it would
tempt me TO take sea voyage to which am
naturally and physiologlcally dlsincliued.
But | shouldn't accept any Office or title In
Bulgaria"
Il may announce that determination, then,
Mr. CHILDISH"
eyes, sir, said he, land you may put it
as strongly as you please.