The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-24
THE MEETING AT MENTOR
Recalling an Incident of the Last
Great Campaign.
The Political Significance of the Meeting of
Garfield, JOnkIing, Logan and Others,
at Mentor.


are still fresh in the minds of most people
who read newspapers, but the incidents OF
that contest, which am about to narrate
did not CONS under the notice of the general
public. They occurred at tho time, and were
incidental to, the so called Mentor treaty, as
the visit of General Grant, Senator Conkling,
General Logan and other famous Stalwarts,
was termed by the Democratic newspapers.
That there was no treaty or truce, or anything
more than friendly call from certain prom
inent leaders of party upon their recognized
standard-bearer or chief, will appear, I think,
from the reading Of certain facts connected
with that visit--faets that were fastened in
delibly upon the minds Of those who were
present at the time,
Grant and Conkling had not met since the
former returned from mis- tour around the
world. Senator Conkling, while at Warren,
was entertained by State Senator Perkins
and thither General Grant was driven as soon
Rs his train arrived On the way through the
streets the enthusiasm was unbounded, and
surrounding the, Generals carriage were hun
dreds endeavoring to shake his hand, He
had become so used to this sort of thing that
as he reached out his hand it was hit or miss
1t mattered not to him which, and if some
other hand came in contact with his own a
mechanical shake followed. As the carriage
drew upin front of the Perkins residence a
large, tnely-proportioned man, dressed in
gray walking suit, descended the steps, But
few in the assembled throug had ever seen
the man before, but the striking features and
graceful bearing could only be those OF Sena-
tor Conkling. and as he grasped the hand of
the hero OF AppOmattOx, the words that
passed between them were drowned in the
cheers. As Grant passed up the steps, Mr.
Conkling turned to greet General Logan and
the venerable Simon, who had just alighted
Three cheers were proposed and given for
Senator Conkling, who acknowledged the
compliment by pleasant smile and digni-
fled bow.
Mr.. Conkling did not want to 90 to Men
tor. Grant had not given the subject much
thought Old Simon Cameron had been
down to call upon General Garfield the day
before and was anxious TO have General
Grant and Senator Conkling follow his ex-
ample. The matter was decided at the din
ner-table after others who had eaten were
gone rom the room. 1t was felt that
the object of a visit to Mentor might
be looked upon with distrust. People
would say, as the sequel showed, they
went there TO make bargain or division
in advance of the spoils to be won in
November. Again, were they to fail in call
ing at Mentor, it would be interpreted as an
open attempt to snub the Republican candi-
date, especially when it was so short dis
lance out of their way to call upon him. To
General Grant was referred the decision of
the question. Thinking moment, he said,
in his characteristic, blunt way; Senator
we go to Mentor" 1t was decision that
troubled the New York senator; nevertheless,
he prepared to 60. The great meeting over
and lunch eaten at Mr. Perkins's, General
Grant, Senator Conkling, Senator Logan and
Hon. Levi Z. Morton, together with mem
bers of the Cleveland committee of escort
started in the private car of General Manager
Laying, of the Pennsylvania Company, the
route being by way of Ashtabula.
During the two hours ride various topics
were discussed, including political intoler-
ance in the South, the proposition to divide
Texas into five States, and Southern election
frauds The writer continues:
At Mentor Station a mounted squad of
Garfield Guards, with torches, were drawn
up to receive the distinguished visitors
General Gar6elds carriage had been sent
down for the conveyance of them, and to it
General Grant, Senator Conkling, General
Logan and Mr.. Morton were conducted
With the carriage, as a guard of honor, was
a squad of torch bearers on foot the mounted
escort riding some distance ahead. 1t was
decidedly unpleasant for the men on foot
whenever the horses took to a trot the mar
rowness of the road making it difficult for
them to keep alongside. The party inside
the carriage kept up quite an animated con-
versation. They discussed the reform ele-
ment in the Republican party, and | recol-
lect the earnestness with which Mr.. Conk-
ling expressed the opinion that the sooner
Mr.. Joe Medill and his Chicago Tribune.
and other like reformers went over to the
Democratic party the better it would
be, he said, for the Repub-
lican party. 1t was nearly two miles to
General Garheld's house, and every now and
then some one of the party looked ahead
and asked aloud, II wonder how much far
Their it is%' Noticing the windows of some
of the houses illuminated, the torches of the
escort constantly moving up and down with
the motion OF the horses, all commented
upon the beauty of the scene. Finally there
being unmistakable signs ahead that they
were approaching General Garfield's, Mr..
Conkling said, with apparently a feeling of
uneasiness, Now let us not stay here very
long"
The greetings between General Garfield and
his guests, as the latter alighted, were short,
but cordial. Each was saluted with How
are you, SENATOR How are you, General?''
they severally responding; General Pm
glad to see you" After presenting them to
Mrs Garfield and Mrs. Rockwell in the par
Tor, General Garfield retired, and in mo-
ment entered the parlor with his venerable
mother leaning upon his arm, he looking
physically the true picture of manhood in
its prime, and she slight in figure of small
stature, and bent over with age. General
Grant seemed especially pleased to meet the
aged lady, and bowed low and reverently
when she WINS introduced. In the dining
room all elegant lunch had been spread
This was enjoyed, and Immediately prepare
tons were made to return to the special
train. There being gathered on the lawn
outside large assemblage of General Gar
fields neighbors and friends, some of them
coming distance of miles, the host led the
way to the porch, where the guests were in
troduced in turn, and each spokea few words
General Grant said simply: Citizens of
Mentor am glad to meet you tonight"
Senator Conkling said "Fellow-citizens.
of course | can make no speech to you to-
night but take pleasure in leaving with
you my grateful acknowledgment of this
courtesy"
General Logan, on being introduced, said:
"Gentlemen. ! thank You very kindly for