Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-12-08
THE KING MAKERS.

| Upon the Bulgarian Throne.
Philadelphia Correspondence New York Sun.
| tried on Saturday to find Mr.. Childs il
order to ascertain what truth there is in tn,
report connecting General Grant with til.
Bulgarian throne, but Mr.. Childs had gone
to New York with Mr.. Tony Drexel, not te
return till late at night. Yesterday 1 ha6
better luck. I 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 be
would be happy to see me on Monday morn.
ing at quarter past ten in his private office
in the Ledger building.
| L had been waiting not more than two
minutes when the proprietor of the Le0qe7
came IN, good-natured and rosy after brisk
walk down Chestnut street. He placed his
dripping umbrella in great cylinder vase of
Satsuma ware, and threw his over-coat over
the back of a carved ebony chair of the Louis
Quatorze period.
''You have seen," I said, ssthe dispatch
from Philadelphia to the London Standard,
asserting that General Grant has been pro-
posed as candidate for King of Bulgaria? p
Certainly said Mr.. Childs, with a queer
expression on his face.
'sYou smile, iMr. Childs,'' said I. "You
think that the story is absurd?"
"By no manner of MEANS" he replied.
SsOn the contrary, have every reason to be-
lleve that the report is strictly true.''
Mr.. Childs' smile broadened until it quite
overspread his countenance, and after few
preparatory chuckles he broke into hearty
laugh.
"Perhaps I ought not to let it out, y he con-
hnued; "but the fact is, this idea of establishs
ing General Grant on the Bulgarian throne
originated with few of his intimate friends
in this country and Europe, among whom l
may mention myself, Colonel Forney, Cen
eral Badeau, Mr.. Mackay, the Nevada mil
lionaire, and DR.. Evans, of Paris. The inn
mense popularity of General Grant with all
classes, in all parts of Europe, from the titled
nobility down to the peasantry, as attested
by the enthusiastic welcome given him wher-
ever he went, and by the beautiful and ex-
penslve 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
wild fire, both here and abroad. DIR. Evans
predicted that it would, months ago."
"But has General Grant known of the
plan? How does he like tips
sHe has known of it only in general way,
through Badeau. l think he likes it. I
think he has always been reluctant to come
back to America to settle down in the capa-
city of private citizen. He is naturally
ambitious. He wants to be doing some
thing all the time. His energy and genius
would find a splendid employment in build
ing 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?''
MIR. Childs hesitated. II don't think it
judicious," said he, s'to give the secret his
tory of the campaign just at present. will
tell you, however, what you probably know
already, that this matter of Bulgarian king
will be settled, not in Bulgaria, but at the
great capitals of Europe-at Paris, London,
Berlin and st. Petersburg. Badeau has
made influential acquaintance in England,
and DIR. Evans, as you are aware, is power
at Paris. Mackay is immensely rich, and
willing to spend almost any sum for legiti-
mate expenses, and at Berlin there is the
Rev. DR.. Thompson, formerly of your city.
Perhaps may add that myself have been
able to do 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. s'Gen-
eral Grant is the most remarkable man OF
the century. He would make an admirable
king
s'should you be inclined to accept any po-
sltlon of dignity or trust in his court if he
should offer it to your"
| Mr.. Childs looked searchingly at the writ.
er's face for few seconds. He saw nothing
there but candor and perfect good faith, and
replied: "Oh, no. I shall not leave Philadel
phia in any event. If Gen. Grant accepts
the Bulgarian crown should like very much
to visit him amid his new surroundings.
don't know but it would tempt me to under
take sea voyage, to which I am naturally
and physiologically strongly disinclined
But shouldn't accept any Office or title il
Bulgaria.
81 may announce that determination, then
Mr.. CHILDISH
eyes, SIR said he, ssand you may put it az
strongly as you please
i