Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-02
GEN. BEALWs TRIBUTE.
Admirable Traits in the Dying Hero's
Nature Described by an Ola Friend.

Admirable Traits in the Dying Hero's
Nature Described by an old Friend,
WASHINGTON, April 1.--Geu. Edward
f. Beale, eX-Minister to Austria, Gen.
Grants most intimate friend in Washing
ton, said Of Gen. Grant to-day:
''He was the greatest man | know of.
His three most prominent traits were
guilelessness of character, even tempera-
ment, and great magnanimity. My friend
ship with Gen. Grant was of the most in
innate nature. In all my companionship
with him, never heard Gen. Grant make
remark which could not be repeated
with propriety before a room full OF ladies.
His character was wholly pure and free
from guile. AS to the reports that he
drank to excess, / ought not to
refer, for they are too senseless
and untrue, but will say that during the
whole period that l have known him |
have never seen him when he was not as
clear headed as you and | are now. His
even disposition was something wonder
Iul to me, and l have seen him tried al
most beyond human endurance. He never
cursed and swore at people, and he never
lost control Of himself. He was always
able to do what theconsidered right. l saw
tion in the library at the White House put
personal prgudices and wishes aside
and do his duty without question.
DUTY BEFORE EVERYTHING.
''He had been abused and slandered by a
certain person to such an extent that he
could only recognize him as a personal
and bitter enemy. The question arose
whether that person should be nominated
to the Senate for a position. ! knew all
the circumstances and said to Gen. Grant:
"'What are you going TO do abOutit?
"'D0 about itr he repeated, Il will send
his name to the Senate. He has deserved
his appointment by his services to his
country, and no personal i'll feeling on
my part shall prevent his obtaining what
he serves
CHE signed the nomination
and it was sent to the
senate at once. He was generous in the
extreme. 1t was always difficult for him
to refuse requests made OF him. | could
tell YOU instances of his great kindness of
heart which you could scarcely believe,
but little things viii show this trait as
well as great ones. When Gen. Vrtant
has been visitor at my house, children
would ovefwhelm him with requests for
his autograph. Often when he would
return home late at night from some re-
ception, tired and sleepy, on his table
would be pile of autograph albums foot
or two high.
FATHERLY CONSIDERATION.
ssMrs. Beale would say: Come, Gen.
eral. it is time to retire; you are tired and
need rest. Don't stop to write in those
books tonight, but wait till morning.
'sNo,' Gen. Grant would reply, I'll do
it tonight. These books belong to little
children and they will stop for them on
ffA N /
don't want to disappoint Them and be
would wriJe in every one. He had
wonderful facility as writer. His mind
grasped the whole subject, and he wrote
without hesitation. | have seen him
write for hours without stopping for
word. lie made fewer corrections in his
writings than any one l ever knew. Dur
ing his military experiences he had learned
tnat it was his duty to do the engineering
and planning, and to leave the details to
his lieutenants. In this way he became
accustomed to placing the most implicit
cOufids zee in those near him, for he sup
posed that they would do their duty as he
would his. To that confidence in others
alone can his terrible mIsfortunes in New
York be attributed. | can understand
why some people should criticise and dis
agree with Gen. Grant, particularly mill
tary men, but / can uOt understand how
Il nlHu CQAlu hI4AbCAobSAJ IAHN W 4 NAA
him.
WARD LIKE A SON TO HIM.
"Gen. Grant dearly loved Ferdinand
Ward. A son could not nave been dearer
to him. He trusted him implicitly, and
how he could return his love and cOnti-
dence by plotting his ruin is beyond my
COMPREHENSION. Gen. Grant was very
fond Of Washington. and always looked
forward TO returning here; indeed, he was
drawn to New Y ork only that be might not
be separated from his sons, who were IN
business there. That the people Of Wash
ipgton were fond of Gen. Grant there is
no doubt. A walk down the avenue any
day showed that. There was nothing but
kindly greetings and friendly bows on
every side. Washington city should
claim his remains. His reputation is
nauonal. You and l have Just as
much individual ownership IN 1t as
we nave in the public buildings. Ims IS
inc national centre and everything OF
national character belongs here. what
more fitting place for his remains could
be found than the centre OF the large CIR
Gle south of the White House beneath the
shadow Of the Washington monumenLF