New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-30
YORK DAILY TRIBUNE SUNDAY

Such thing cannot possibly be passed. We'll"
/ said, "Mr. Randall assured me that that thing
would be passed." He answered: IF anybody
in the world could pass that bill think Mr.. Ran;
dali could But don't think it is at all likely, and
have given up all expectation" While was talk
from Mr.. A. j. Drexel saying the bill mad passed;
and the General seemed exceedingly grained L
.saR k that %ss 4s D Se as Of aS
haps they thought they were right: have no feel
ing at all am only grateful that the thing has
S SDSH said Mrs. Grant we have got good news;
the bill is passed. She cried out Hurrah our
old commander is back" In answer to remark
that it would be very good il 1t could be dated from
the time of going out he said Oh. no; the law Is
to date from the time one accepts. In the early
part of the war saw in the newspapers that was
appointed TO higher rank, and wrote on at once
and accepted on the strength of the newspaper re-
port In about two months time. through red tape,
/ got my appointment but got my pay from the
time | wrote accepting the newspaper announce
ment, and saved q months pay by that"
As to Fltz-John Porter. spoke to him during the
early stages of it at time when his mind had been
prejudlced by some around him, and he was very
busy. Afterward. when he looked into the matter,
he said he was only sorry that he had so long de-
layed going at the examination he ought to have
done He felt that if ever a man had been treated
badly Porter was He had examined the case most
carefully. gone over every detail and he was per-
fectly we'll satisfied that Porter was right He
wanted to do everything in his power to have him
rghted. and his only regret that he should have
neglected so long and allowed him to rest under
lnJuSbiOo'
There arc few men that would take back track
as General Grant did so publicly. so determinedly
and SO consistently right through | had several
talks with nm, and he was continually reterating
his regrets that no had not done justice to Porter
when he had tho opportunity. lie never ceased
to the day OF his death from his right to speak aud
write in favor of Porter. He counter to great
many of his political friends in this matter. but his
mind was absolutely clear Not one in a
thousand would go. back on his recorl In snch q
matter. especially when he was not in accord with
the Grand Army bis strong political friends.
Grant went into the matter most carefully. and his
publications show how thoroughly he examined the
subject, but no never wavered after his mind was
fxed Then he set to work to repair the injury
done Porter IL Grant had had time to examine it
through. That was his great regret. He felt that
while he had power he could have passed it aud
ought to have done 1t. When Grant took pains and
time to look into the matter amount of personal
feeling. or friendship for Others would keep him
from doing the right thing. He could not be
swerved from the right
Another great trait of his character bis purity
in every way | never heard him express or make
any indicate alluson in any way or shape. There
is nothing ever card that man say that could not
be repeated In the presence of woman. III man
was brought up for an appointment. and it was
shown that he was an immoral man. he would not
appoint him, no matter how great the pressure
brought TO bear upon him.
General Grant wond sit in my library with four
or i've Others talking freely and doing perhaps two
thirds OF the talking Let stranger enter whom nc
did not know aud he would say nothing more
dnring that evening. That was one peculiarly of
his. He wouldn't talk to people I'M less he under
stood them. At dinner party with certain SGT
that he knew all well he would lead in the CONVEX;
sation. but any alien or novel element wond seal
his tongne. This great shyness or retccnce some
times perhaps made him misunderstood.
GEORGE W. Guilds.