The National tribune., 1885-04-16
GEN. u. S. GRANT.
Interesting "reminiscences Of the Old
Commander.
Ills Marvellous Stock or infarmatioH-Afeetion for
Old Soldiers-Keen Sense Of Mnmor.

circle which very furebly illustrates that" he
continued, "You will remember that he took
Gen. Grant with him on that celebrated TRIP
as sort of q star attraction. Grant was shown
at all the places visited, and johnson took the
cheers that his presence aroused TO be- eompli-
mentary TO himseli, and he forthwith proceeded
to fire OFF speech Yau recolect the result
Grant was unanimously nominated by the Re-
publican Convention on the first ballet, and
Johnson was lett by both parties. During that
trip Gen. Rawlins and . gentleman who was
upon very close relations with Mr.. Johnson got
into dispute overa point of international law.
Both were good lawyers, and each maintained
his position strongly. Neither would yield
and finally Rawlins said, Suppose We ask Gen.
GRANITE
why, what does he know of international
law 2 said the Colonel, who was RaWiins's OPP
ponent.
You never know what the extent of his
information is. was Rawlinss reply, and |
would like to submit the question to him
" 1t was agreed. and both gentlemen went into
another Car, where Gen. Grant Was smoking
made known their point of difference, and then
each argued his position at length. Gen Grant
heard them through without saying Is word,
and then, removing bis cigar from his month,
turned to Gen. RawliDS and said that he was
wrong and the Colonel was right that the
question was settled in snch volume of some
bOiys treatise on international! law hcaton,
l think, but it don't make any difference SIS to
name of the author or the details-on such page.
about half way down the page. Both were very
much surprised and neither was satisfied that tue
Generals decision WAS corrsrt; but when they
reached the next city the two dSputauts hur-
ried to 81 lawyers office, took down the book
indicated, and sure enough found it determined
just as Gen. Grant had said.
Gen. Rawiins afterwards told me that the
amount of information possessed by Grant was
something wonderful, showing an extensive
range OF reading, and yet, he said. he did not
know when the General found time to read
He possessed the faculty of absorbing what he
r, ad, aud his nlemory was remarkable, being of
that Chronological order which retained dates
and localities to a degree rarely met with"
Tell me another story about Gen. Grant,"
said the reporter.
oh, l could talk TO You for hours of incl
dents that came under my notice but many of
them have already been published and of course
you don't want them. / remember one time,
while he was President, had OCCASION to go to
the White House. and as | entered the room
there were several people waiting to see him.
He disposed of them All until there were only
two ladies and myself left. One WAS AN elderly
lady and the other WAS probably about 20 years
of age Their attire showed that tin, Y were in
humble circumstances, and | supposed they
They had some papers, and III presenting them
to the President they made an earnest appeal
TO him i'll behalf OF their son and brother i
could not help hearing p portion OF their con-
versation, aud learned that the young man i'll
whom they were interested WAS Postmaster
III a little town in Northern State. He had
served faithfully in the Union army during The
war and there vas no complaint Us to the per-
fnrmance of his duties as Postmaster. but there
had arisen in the place d factonal political
fight, and the Congressional Representative of
that distric. had asked the Postmaster General
to remove him. His mo her and sister had
come on to iutercede with the President for his
retention, and they pleaded most earnestly, tell
ing OF his faithful! war service, his efficiency in
his present position, and his fliai aud fraternal
devotion. The President heard them patiently,
and taking the papers promised TO refer them
to the Pos master-General, and if it vas re-
ported that there were no charges against his
efficient administration of his office, that he
would not remove him simply at tho request OF
the Member Of Congress. The ladies' turned TO
go, aud then, the younger one stepping back,
said
"Oh Mr. PRESIDENT you have SO much to
attend to. won't you forget all about my
btother?"
The President smiled and said "My child.
never forget Il promise / have made about
Union soldier" aud he walked with those two
women to tho door, shook hands with them.
and bowed them out with as much courtesy rs
if they had been the wealthiest ladies in tho
land. | tell You, the patient manner III which
he listened TO their story. and the consideration
with which he treated them raised Gen. Grant
i'll my estimation very greatly. took occasion
10 KEEP track Of tho case and found that the
President kept his word, aud tho young man
was retained notwithstanding the earnest pro-
test OF the Member of Congress-"
Give me another one, SAID the reporter.
during the time that Bristow was posing as
the Great American Reformer and WAS using
the whole Secret Service force of the Treasury
Department, together with lot of private de-.
tectives, to endeavor to iasten knowledge of
the Whisky Ring frauds upon the President.
who had lifted him from ob,curity and made
him one OF his official family. there was a
pleasant gathering one Sunday afternoon at the
residence of q wealthy gentleman. who was a
warm friend OF Gen. Grants, at which Grant
was present On the way back he rode into
the city with well known lawyer, who owned
a good stepping house, and during this ride the
subject of the Whisky Ring investigation WAS
by the lawyer, who proceeded to
speak his mind very freely about Mr. Bristow.
app! wing To him sundry vigorous epithels, such
as scoundrel, sneak, traitor, etc, and finally
saying that he believed BTistow would be will
ing tn forfeit seat III Heaven If he could trace
d knowledge OF the whisky frauds to the White
House. Grant heard him until he paused for
breath. and then he said:
$50 you think BristoW is really aiming at
me, do your
"'Why, know he is replied the lawyer.
Well. perhaps you are right WAS tho
Presidents response, and that was all he said,
as the lawyer afterwards told me.
Grant knew every move that Bristow made
contemplated as soon as it was determined
upon.
"Geu. Grant had great deal Of humor in
him aud a keen sense OF the ridiculous. He
would occasionally say some very bright and
witty things. | remember there was pO-
liticaI organization here called the Young
Mems Republican Club, that paid him q
visit shortly after his reelection 10 1872
The President of the rganization started off
in :: spread eagle sort OF 4 speech in which he
said that at the Philadelphia convention. when
the vote OF the District was called for. its
delegates arose and said that there was in the
District of Columbia u White House which had
been occupied by n gentleman whom they had
learned 10 SO honor aud respect that they pro-
posed he should occupy it for four years more;
and, Mr. President continued the speaker,
the vote of the District was cast solid for your
nomination..
This was tho place for the applause to come
in, but before the club could raise Il cheer. Gen.
Grant. with & twinkle in his eye aud smile OH
his lips. INTERCEPTED the remark:
"'Yes. and believe that was all the District
had to do with the matter wasn't it7'
"You knew. the District of Columbia has no
vote, and the ready way in which the President