The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-04-17
Phil Sheridan ON Gan. Grant.

The Philadelphia Ledger prints, by permits
sio'i, the substance of some remarks during ,
conversation by Gen. Sheridan at a Dime,
party IN Washington recently. The article
quotes Gen. Sheridan as saying:
. 1t is sad to think of Gen. Grant diving unde,
such physical torture as is inflicted by this ter
rible disease and under such mental anguish a,
know he endures in consequence of the un.
fortunate business failure that overwhelmed
nm aud his family. Icould never comprehend
why the old man (all soldiers call Gen. Grant
,he Old man, went into business, and particu-
iafly why he set himself up in Wall street, From
the lime he imbibed this business notion |
nave always felt that Gen. Grant was off his
base, and that he had lost that abundance Of
cauaoh mat has always cliaractized all his
movement have listened to him talk about
making money in perfect amazement. He
imagined he had a talent for making money,
and that his sons all possessed this talent TO a
remarkable degree. He seemed never to tire
OF taking about this when we were so s%it,lat-
so as 10 be Tree from interruption, and when
we could talk with freedom of bvcope days
Now | know that Gen. Grant did not possess
inc talent or genius for making money. His
nature Is too generous and confiding for that.
his talent IN connection with money was in an
opposite direction and caused him to get rid of
money in a very short time. He could never
keep money before he set up in Wall street.
and you all know he is a very bright fellow
who can keep money after he gets there.
Mha1 most surprised me, however, was that he
shoulu talk SO much about this newly discov-
cred talent He talked persistently, and he
could talk well when he talked of accumulatinc
money. AS l noticed his earnestness of man.
her, sometimes thought that understood
tir11r IN ANS particular. Still, could not en-,
felt on his account and his very persisten-
cy. and earnestness added to nv fears.
Why, l never knew Grant to talk about the
great abilities which he did possess and which
the world recognized. No one ever heard him
talk about his great military talents or
boast about his splendid achievements in the
field, and yet Grant knew that he had extra
ordinary abilities in this direction, because his
movements were brilliant and the success that
attended them showed him this. Indeed, Gen,
Grant had greater talent for conducting cam
palgns and lighting armies than he was really
aware OF. Nobody, however, ever heard him,
talk about what he possessed in this direction
and the simple fact that he descanted so free
~ to me on his money making talents started
n suspicion in my mind that his previously
strong mental forces were breaking up and
thai he was rapidly moving away from his
previous well established lines Of prudence
and safety.
Later in the evening returning to Gen. Grant
he spoke Of the reluctance with which Gen.
Grant left the army to become president.
You have seen the statements to the effect
that the ''old man" land plans to secure the
" tue presidency In 'DS There
is no foundation for such statements. And
know whereof / speak. know that his feel
lngs and desires were at that time touching his
future. He wanted, above all things, to re-
main with the army he loved, and whose
idol he is still, and had had no ambition to be
president He doubted his ability to discharged
the duties of president, but above all, he had
no taste or inclination for civil office.
The Washington Star publishes ar interview
with j, A. j. Creswell, in Gen. Grants cabinet
as postmaster general over five years. After
speaking Of the generals fondness of his fam
lily, evenness of temper, the unfliuching dis
charge of his official duties, and his great cour-
age, Mr.. Creswell said:
asked Grant once, if, when giving orders
for an engagement he was not appalled, by the
great loss of life which would ensue. He re-
plleG: NC. 1t was war, but l realized what it
meant l. never gave such orders until I was
satisfied it was the best course to pursue, and
then | was willing to shoulder the RESPONSE
bllty." He added many men failed as COM
manders simply because of the unwilIingness
to assume this responsibility. He spoke of two
men who were fearless in this respect, Sherman
and Sheridan. The latter in particular, he
thought was possessed of ample courage to do
what seemed best, and be responsible for the
1t wasn't rashness and heedlessness,
out fearlessness i'll assuming responsibility for
the results" Grant did not desire to be presl-
dent a third term for any glory or reputation,
put his sole object was to reconcile the North
and South, and l think he would have done it
thoroughly. The solid South would have beep
= thing Of the past