Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-10-30


nlshed for publication the following oper
letter to Col. Il d. Grant:
New YORK, Oct. IL, 1856
My Dear Colonel In answer to YOU
request for the particulars of the CONVEX.
sation | had with your father, and tc
which alluded in speech before the
Chamber of Commerce, the following i
my best recollection:
About four years ago | sat beside
General Grant at dinner. There were
many courses and slowly served, and
the entertainment lasted several hours.
We discussed many matters suggested
by his travels around the world, and
among other things he said to me that
when 10 China, Prince Kung, who was
regent and the real ruler during the
minority of the Emperor, told him of
their controversy with japan. War was
about to be declared, and the Prince
said that it would be a long and bloody
one, aud asked Gen Grant if he would
act as arbitrator. The General de-
clincd for want of time, but principally
because he was private person and had
no power to enforce his decision. lie
suggested, however, the terms Of COM
promise. When in Japan shortly after,
the Mikado's Ministers told their sid %
the trouble, and revealed the fact that
several Of the European Governments
were actively stirring up the strife on
both sides, hoping to benefit by the Sar
The same request was made 10 him on
the part of the Japanese Government to
act as arbitrator, and, in again declin-
ing, he stated the substance of the con-
promise he had advised for China. The
two nations adopted substantially the
terms proposed by Gen. Grant. and
disastrous conflict was avertcd
The conversation driftod into u con
sideration Of relations with President
Andrew Jnhnson. The narrative of
this period was ono of the most graphic
descriptions to which | ever listened,
and it is unfortunate for history and
postcrity that it cannot be preserved as
IL was told. 1t had the local ooloring
Of conversations with and statements BY
the chief actors, and Of the situations Of
parties and persons ns the events oc-
cured invaluable 10 u portraiture and
estimate Of the times said in my ad-
dress that Gen Grant performed scr
vices to his country which we're unwrit-
ten quite as important as any that were
recorded, and think this narrative will
bear INC out. This is the substance of
the story:
johnson began, the day after the as
sassination Of Mr.. Lincoln, to loudly pro-
claim at all times and places, with CON
slant rcitcration, tho shibbolcth. Urea
son is odious and must be punished, and
The chief rebels shall be hung p TO give
effect to this sentiment. as soon as he
was inaugurated, he insisted upon the
United States Courts in Virginia find
ing indictments against all the leading
Of the Confcdcracy. lie also
wanted the officers in the rebel army who
bad left the regular army TO join the
rebellion to be summarily dealt with by
SQUIRT martial These movements Of the
President produced the greatest con
'terDaton throughout the South Tho
Confederate leaders appealed to Grant
70 protect tbem on the parole he had
given. He saw johnson on the subject,
only to be informed that the President
was, by the Constitution, COMMANDER
n-Chief of the Army, and that any
hing done by tho commanding Gen
,ral on tho field was done subject TO his
approval or rejection. aud he rejected
.he terms Gen. Grant urged that the
-ebcls had surrendered on these cond-
ions, disbandcd their organizations, sub
nitted universally to the situation and
we're carrying out in good faith their
part Of the agreement, and every con-
'ideration Of both honor and cxpcdicncy
demanded equal good faith on tho part
If tho Government. Tho other course
would have led to al endless guerrilla
warfare. conducted in u country admira-
bly, adapted for it, by desperate and
hopeless men.
johnson obstinatcly adhered 10 his
view, aud assumed the authority Of COM
nander, Gen. Grant fatty told him that
{ there were TO be any court martials,
inc must be called 10 try Gen. Grant
irst that he would BY every means in
his power protect bis parole and appeal
o Congress and the country. In tho
lalt called by this attitude Of General
jrant very remarkable change oc-
,urrod in the views and policy Of Presi-
lent johnson. Gen. Grant discovered
hat the most frequent and favored visi-
ors to the White Housc were the men
whom tho president had prescribed. In
he Generals opinion Johnson's loyalty
vas subordinate to, il not entirely de-
PENDENT upon, his intense hatred Of tho
layc-bolding oligarchy. He was poor
white, had been a journoyman tailor,
md, Notwithstanding sho distinguished
public positions ho had held, he could
Tot break through the class barrier, and
vas treated socially with contempt by
his proud aristocracy. When they
plunged into rebellion he saw his op-
= r