The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-01-03
OUR AMERICAN BELIsARIOs.

almost entirely disappeared, there seemed
to be no visible cause for this apparently
sudden depression of spirits and decline OF
! health that had seized him. Gen Sherman
heard of it and called On him and while Il
was very evident to him that Grant was
greatly depressed in spirits and rapidly
ageing, there was nothing in the converse
ton TO give clue to any unusual cause
until Gen. Sherman, before leaving the
house, had private talk with Grants son
| Ulysses, who stated that his father was
greatly depressed aad annoyed On account
of the execution that had been issued in
favor Of Vanderhitto satisfy the judgment
for 100000 he had obtained against
Grant on account of the Sl50,0O0 loan in
May last Ia save the firm of Grant & Ward
from going to the wall The levy, young
Grant said, covered not only all Grants
real property-his houses in Washington
and Philadelphia and his farms near ST.
Louis and Chicago-hut all his relics of
the wars swords, medals, gifts from
friends at home and from foreign pOten-
tates, Ms we'll as collection of pictures and
brio u brac--by all which latter articles,
more than his real estate, the General had
set great store and the prospective loss Of
which was the chief cause of his distress
Thereupon Gen. Sherman posted vf to
Cyrus w Field, to see if nothing could be
done TO save Gen Grant from the apparent
cruel rapacity of Vanderbilt Field called
upon Vanderbilt, and while the latter man
Tested no disposition to stay his execu
ton, saying 1t was only question whether
he should get the property or some other
of Grants creditors, he generously offered
to throw off $4,000 of the debt if the
friends of Gen. Grant would pay him the
remaining 100000 On this hint applica-
ton was made to Hamilton Fish to head
subscription in New York, while Gen
Sherman ran over to Philadelphia to see
G. w. ChildS, A. j. DreXel and others and
find out how much they would be willing
to do.
The understanding is that there will be
no trouble to raise the 300, 900 to satisfy
Vanderbilt, but then the question arises,
Vanderbilt out of the way, what is there to
protect Grants same property from judg
ments of other creditors of Grant s. Ward.
for all Of which Gen Grant is no doubt le-
gally liable and which amount TO millions
of dollars
This question leads to sundry sugges
tons, in which no doubt Is involved the
true solution of the present hubbub about
Gen Grants pecuniary affairs. The first
is, that the Vanderbilt execution Is mere
sham, issued at Grants own suggestion,
and the object Of which is so to cover up
Grants property as 10 place it beyond the
reach of Grants other creditors. That
Vanderbilt should be willing to let Fish,
Field, Child, Drexel, &c, pay 100000
towards carrying out the project is easily
understood That such are the motives be
hind Vanderbilt is very positively affirm ed
by all the later New York papers Sec
Ondly, while there is much sympathy sud
denly aroused at Washington for Gen
Grant on account of his pecuniary troubles,
the almost universal belief is that they are
now brought into prominence and msgni-
fed with the intention of making an i'm
preston upon Congress In favor Of the pas
sage of the bill to place Gen. Grant on the
retired list, with a fixed income Of about
$4,000 year
Anyhow, whatever may be the outcome
Of the Vanderbilt execution, or other exc
Cutions against the property of Gen Grant,
all idea that he is on the verge Of destitu- |
ton may be at once dismissed Nothing
Is more certain than that he has fixed |
settled and certain income Of at least
$4,000 year from the $250,0O0 fund
raised for him four years ago by George |
Jones, Jay Gould and others-the $4,000
annual income from that fund being guar
,nteed by the estate of Ex-Governor Nor
gan, which is good for millions. Besides
which, Gen. Grant has contract with the
Century Company fOl $4,000 to be paid
him for literary contributions TO that publ |
cation during the current year These
means, is true, may not be sufficient to
save his farms, swords, medals and brica-
brac from execution, but they are enough
at least to assure him comfortable living !
That all agree he should have. MOI
doubt he as broken in health, depressed in
spirits, and sadly harassed by the dark
that have resulted from his
leplorable adventure in Wall street Specu.
ation When a man of Gen, Grants
fame is in position like this, kind human
nature should not wait for the cross exam
iners to finish their work II should ask
no sharp questions as it comes forward
with sympathy and relief
IL seems some of the Blaine bigots In