The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-03-06
GEN. GRANTS MAGNANIMITY

Us by Il gentleman. whose informant was
the Hon. Stephenson Archer, late MEM
Der OF Congress from Maryland. is so
Characteristic Of General Grant. and SO
foTcibly illustrates two admirable traits
in his character-his magnanimity and
his loyalty to his fricnds-that we give it
to our readers substantially as we re-
ceived It:
While Mr.. Archer was a member of
Congress. q lady from one of the South
eln States visited Washington, with
letter of introduction to him from 4
prominent gentleman in the South. The
writer, personal friend of Mr.. Archer'S,
expressed an earnest wish that he would.
if possible, aid this lady in an applica-
ton she desired to make on behalf of her
son to General Grant, then President Of
the United States. Mr.. Archer told her
that moi being in sympathy with the adj
ministrati0n he cnuld not do more than
secure FOR her an audience with the Pres
idcnt that, in his opinion. any attempt
damage more than benefit it. bat that he
would introduce her to the President.
and if she would be satisfied with that.
he would take pleasure in presenting her
An appointment was made for an audi
ence with the President the next day,
and Mr. Archer. at the hour appointed,
PROMPTLY gained admittance to the White
House. After he had formally intro
luced the lady. he stepped aside to dis
tant part of the room. intending her i'll
terview should be as private us possible,
but necessarily not beyond the hearing
of the conversation The lady told Gen
cral Grant of the destitution the civil
war had brought to her and her family,
and spoke very feelingly of their strug-
Giles fer bread She had been widowed
and her children orphaned, and i'll sheer
desperation she had come to Washington
to plead at his hands some place for her
boy.
Mr.. Archer during her pathetic APP
peal, watched General Grant very closely,
to see what effect the eloquent pleading
of this sorrowing woman would have
upon him. SO far as he could discover
I from General Grant, countenance or
manner, it made not the slightest inl-
preston. and the lady herself seemed to
feel her cause was hopeless one. Be
traying her disappointmenta and hopeless
ness in her manner. she babe the Presi-
/ dent goodbye. just rs she was turning
/ away from TIE President, Mr.. Archer also
/ advanced to bid adicu to General Grant.
( The lady. surprising that Mr.. Archer
would at this ,juncture say something in
her behalf. turned towards the President,
/ only to meet another disappointment.
/ With heat sell nigh bursting, aud
I eyes and Voice full of tears, she said:
, General Grant. possibly | may have
been prcsumptuous i'll my importantly.
/ but [ have heard my brother so 4ffr"
/ SPEAK, Of yo". that | felt encouraged to
/ come to see you'' General Grant, with
3 SttltllHP IllttlitlSlNN. w NV i''
your brother?'' She gave his name
Why" replied the President, ''he was
my cIass-mate at West Point. Where is
! lie now" She informed him that he
was dead: and said, rs she had referred
to him, 1t was proper she should add
that her brother had Resigned his com
mission in the Federal army. and had ell
tered the Confederate service, and had
fought against General Grant. and had
been killed in BATTLE Il am sure, said
the President, I" he fought bravely where
ever he fought
\ chord Of sympathy had been uncon-
sciously struck. lie inquired in a tone of
voice that indicated his awakened inter
est the age Of her son and what she
wanted. She replied that she had hoped
the President might appoint her son to a
clcrkShip in some one Of the departments.
Gen. Grant replied that that would not
do at all; that if he gave him clerkship
and he could be continued in il. that it
would unfit him for anything else: but
the probabilities were. that if he APP
pointed her son to Il clerkship. that he
would soon be removed to make room for
some one else lie then wrote the name.
age and address of the young man, and
turning to the lady said. Il will do
better for your boy than giving him a
cierkship. | will commissioner him a
Lieutenant in the Regular Army The
motler's heart bounded for JOY, and she
gave vent to her feelings in tears that
streamcd down her face. and she depart
ed, invoking blessings on the head of the
hero, vino could be magnanimous enough
Ia cherish the memory of an old school
mate ana friend, even though that friend
had fought against him.
Mr.. Archer said that aS soon As the lady
gave the name of her hrother General
Grants manner changed entirely; his
face lightcned up and he at once mani
Tested the liveliest interest in the case.
We believe the young man in question is
now respected officer of the l. S. Army.
A MARVELLOUS CONSPIRACY.