Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-12-18
GRANT.
A Friend Tells the Public He Wants to Be
Let Alone--Hs Doesn't Like Interference
in His Personal Affairs.


Let AIone--Hs Doesn't Like Interference
in His Personal Affairs.
Washington Special, Dec. 15.l
An intimate friend of Gen. Grant says
that the general is not at all pleased at
the continued attention that his private
affairs are receiving from well-meaning
friends and malicious enemies. He has
an income of $1,000 year, and would be
very glad to be permitted to look after
his own future in a quiet way. If the
newspapers would stop canvassing what
is to be done for him the general would
also feel very much relieved. He is
thoroughly tired of the people who are
worrying about his prospects and what he
is going to do.
"What are the generals own plans?''
was asked.
"Gen Grant would like to secure some
position in respectable business, where
he could find pleasant occupation and the
means of moderately increasing his in
come; but he will not allow his name to
be connected with any stock jobbing
scheme, or any enterprise where 1t will be
used to raise money. If a business regu-
larly established, with all necessary capi-
tai already raised, were to come to him,
he would be very much pleased"
"His name appears as one of the incor-
porators of the Nicaragua company"
eyes; but he told me he had never
seen the bill and has not even been con-
suited about ito
HAS Gen. Grant any special motive
for his visit here at the present timer"
eyes; he came here with Minister
Romero, his old friend, to help him in
his plan for the establishment of
closer commercial relations be-
tween this country and Mexico.
Gen. Grant thinks that the extension of
our southwestern railroad system by a
line to Mazatlan would result in the
opening up of an enormous trade, the eX-
cellence of which our merchants have
hardly suspected. The resources of Mex
leo are something that even Gen. Grant
did not realize until his last visit Your
city of Chicago ought to be greatly inter
ested in the opening up of this great
southwestern trade"
'Is Gen. Grant in the pay Of any of the
railroad companies looking to this south
west trade--I mean, Of course, as adviser
and future president of some new COM
pany?"
''No, sir. Gen. Grant is doing what he
is out of simple desire to promote the
prosperity Of his country. And right
here [ can give you the real am
bition of Grants life: 1t is not TO be
President; it is simply, first, to oc-
cupy an honorable position in some legit-
innate business enterprise, and then, in
his capacity as private citizen, work for
his country's good. For instance, in
cases of dispute with foreign govern
ments he would like to act as peaceful
arbitrator. In all things looking to a
of our commercial relations
with foreign nations Grant would like to
be the central figure. He is the most
American of all Americans, and he is
never more happy than in dwelling upon
the possibilities of our e future. In the
last campaign he was powerful and in
fluential figure Ill contributing TO the real
good Of the country, and that was enough
to satisfy him. If you can understand
his high motive you will readily under
stand Grant, whom | regard as one of the
most unselfish of men"