The New York herald., 1878-11-11
GRANT AND THE PRESIDENCY.

AN INTERESTING TALK WITH DBoTHER-IN-LAw
coRBIN- OF oRvIIIE GRANT
CORRECTING GENERAL GRANTS HrsToRY-THE
THIRD TERM-GENEEAL GRANT s.Nor LIKELY
TO BE CALLED, BUT -."
Just before the recent elections HERALD reporter
enjoyed brief but interesting conversation with
General Grants Jersey brother-i r-in-aw Mr. Abel Il.
Corbn. Mr.. Corbin is man vergng upon seventy
years of age His form is bent with the weight and
cares of his long and active life. but his
gray eyes still bright and expressive,
while his intellect continues as clear and
keen when, nearly forty years ago.
it guided with ability democratic newspaper in st.
Lonis, for in his early manhood Mr.. Corbin was an
editor and welded powerful pen in the Jacksonian
democratic interest. This in the days-the hal
cyon days of American statesmanship--when the
nation hung upon the lips Of such men as Webster.
Benton. Wright and Calhoun. Mr.. corbin now re-
sides at Elizabeth, n j. With him lives General
Grants mother the venerable wife of the late Jesse
Grant and the mother of Mrs. Corbin. Mr.. Corbin
was on his way home from the metropolis when the
HERALD reporter overlook him.
INTERVIEW '.oN THE Fly"
The interview began on the Jersey City ferryboat,
the first topic discussed being the condition of Orve
Grant the Generals brother who is still confined in
the asylum for the insane at Morris Plains, n J.
From what Mr. Corbin said there but faint hopes
of Orvile's recovery of his full mental vigor. At
times some subjects he is perfectly sane but at
Others other subjects especially those relating to
business specnlations. Investments and money mat
ters generally. he is mad as a march hare As is
always the case with persons similarly afflicted.
he considers everybody mad but himself
and bitterly attacks his family and friends
for needlessly causing his detention at
the asylum when he he is clear he AIDED
any Of them. He frequently urges the immediate
members of his family 20 visit him. and suggests that
the best thing some of them could do would be to
purchase q farm the asylum--a suggestion that
will be applauded to the echo the highest evidence
Of sanity and wisdom by those Morris county farmers
who have lands to sell. The cause Of OrviIle's
malady is overwork-too much strain on the mental
organism. Mr.. Corbin mentioned it singular
coincidence that the physician in charge of the
asylum and Of oryille Grant; Dr. Bnttolph,
attended successfully brother of his Mr. Corbin
friend Senator Slas Wright, thirty odd years ago.
The Senator at the time used to speak highly of Dr.
Buttophs treatment In this way Mr. Corbn be-
came familiar with the doctors name little dreaming
that many years after circumstances would bring him.
through near relative, into close communion with
:! the mind healer.
GRANT NEVER A TANNER.
Speaking of Mr.. Orville Grant and his business
transactions led to remarks generally about the Grant
| family and their occupations There is one thing
said Mr.. Corbn "that the public have been greatly
ner never worked at the tannerss trade. Strictly
| speaking neither did his brothers. Their
father, however, carried tannery at Galena, H.
and made great deal of money. He set up in bust
ness the Generals two brothers. putting in about
100000. The business was that OF leather dealing
shoe findings &c. In the meantime the future cap
tain of the Union armies i'll the great battle between
the sections was pursuing his studies cadet at
West Point The story about his having been brought
up tanner is, therefore, like many other stories in
the public prints about him, pure piece OF fiction =
THE THIRD TERM.
haP froO
| Europe ?"
None Of say positively. but think he
| will be home some time in May"
AT political meeting the other night, in Newark.
heard democratic speaker declare that General
Grant sent to Europe in the interest of the
money power Of America; that he coming back
with Old World notions of government. and that il
nominated and elected President he would put yoke
about the necks of the American people and rule
| them like despot. OF course no one with common
sense believes anything Of the sort, but what
'Oh. stuff - interrupted Mr. Corbin, THAT =
| too silly for serious consideration. Surely
nobody is g,illed by such nonsense The
Americans Ut that-hanging their destiny
upon the movements Of one --prepcstrrors
Grant. but am he thinks. others think that
he has had his full share of official honors. Whether
he will take part in the next Presidential canvass
! or not cannot say. though think it certain that
whoever it is that gets the nomination of his party
will have tho Generals hearty support. If such q
state of things should arise-if such contingency
should present itself which, let say right here
do not consider even remotely probable. but the
contrary most improbaDleas that the great rcpubli
can party should after due and ample deliberation.
| deem ii best to pass by all its other worthy
and deserving leaders and nominate General Grant
feel certain that the General would for the sake of his
party and tho country yield to the desires expressed
by the highest party councils. But there the speaker
hurried away from the contingency reference as il
he had paid it to much atcnton il Is idle to suppose
for one moment that any party should be dependent
for success upon one man. The great republican
party has score OF men whom IL wisely nom-
nate. and, as believe, win with. The great demo-
cratic party bound up in any man s fortunes
.,f 90.
may win with him. Great parties. each made up of
three million voters more, not tails to
mans Presidential kite"
no CHANGE OF POLITICS RELIGION.
II should Judge you are q republican in politics
Mr. Corbin ~
II never changed my politics or my religion. was
born and brought up Jacksonian democrat. am
one yet But am not one with the democratic party
AZ managed during and since the war. hauled aside
when the broke out. / not quite ready vet to
the rebels who tried hard TO destroy this govern
ment set up in its highest places.
THE GREENBAcK MOVEMENT.
'.Do you think the greenback party will amount to
much?"
may become formidable affair or IL may amount to
sound and fury signifying nothing The
the party that appeals to prejudice the strongest
weapon. I know Van Buren, talked about the
sober second thought Of the people but when
prejudice il ably appealed to. IL generally may be-
second thought has hal chance TO show its inhu-
encc. For the time being. ut least. prejudice is. in
nine out of item. infinitely stronger than reason
History teems'wth proofs Of this.
At this point in the conversation the train reached
Newark. and the HERALD and Mr. Corbin parted
company.
CLERGYMAN ON BUTLER.