New-York tribune., 1885-09-20

respect I told him that the Emperor was now at
Gastein. within Uy jurisdiction tnd might On .o,d aT
he would be very glad indeed to have the oppor-
tunity, and would gladly 20 to Gastein for the pnr-
pose. After dining with the Emperor OF Austria,
andreceivng such courtesics as could eexpected at
Vienna at that season, be went to Salzburg TO stay
q few days, in that attractive region, with Mrs;
Grant and rest both from the fatigues OF travel
and the demands of soslety. | joined him at Salz-
burg, and proceeded to Gastein, where arranged
for the interview with the German Emperor.
On the day appointed he proceeded from SalZDurg
to this high mOrntain valley where tho Emperor
and Prince Bismarck were both taking the baths.
General Grant spoke no language but English,
which the Emperor did not speak. 1t was there
fore arranged that Prince Bismarck should be
present with the Emperor, while | accompanied
General Grant. No other persons were in the
audience chamber The meeting seemed 10 me TO
possess picturesque If not historical Interest.
There were the foremost Emperor, the foremost
statesman and perhaps the foremost general of the
age in which they lived. The two former repre-
sented the most powerful and best organized race
on the continent of Europe the old, Generated
principals of monarchic2l institutions, and the
proud distinction OF hereditary birth and hered-
tary rights. The latter was genuine repre-
sc ,tative of American institutions, without
hereditary distinction or other extraordinary
honors than those conferred by tie vote of the
people They looked at government from two op-
posite poles The conversation, which was some-
what prolonged, possessed special interest, by
reason of the respective relations of the persons
participating in il. The Emperor was Mt that time
much taller than General Grant. though his vener-
able head. when | last him. was much moro
bowed his shoulders with the weight OI years.
Prince Bismarck lowered far above the Emperor,
with magnificent physical proportions, and mead
which indicated the intellectual resources which
have now brought both Europe and Asia to bow be
fore him. Opposite to HIM stood tins compact, un-
ostentatous, sturdy American, unabashed and
without sell-concern. and every word fell from his
Inns with the same interesting simplicity and direct
significance which always characterized nun at
Washington. IL was simple true SINCERITY that
characterized every word. | remember distinctly
the words of tie Emperor. at the close of Che inter
view. which were also translated by Prince Dis
marck with an absolute accuracy that won my adj
miration. He said to Prince Bismarck, Tell Cen
eral Grant that watched his career in the AmeFi-
can civil with the greatest interest. Tell MN
| regret we have not q common language in which
to speak of these things, aud of his military cam
pagns for aud the Emperor Strengthened him
sell to his full height ana struck himself % on the
made to this remark for the Emperor extended his
hand to the General and bade him adieu
The observations made by General Grant during
his visit 70 the various capitals OF Europe and thG
East would have been of immense value to him and
to the country. if he had subsequently been able To-
utilize them If, for example, the eX-fres dents OF
the United States had seat IL the Seuate, with tec
privilege of discussing tho numerous D0n-partsan
questions involved in the foreign Intercourse III
commercial treaties. etc, his knowledge thus 3c-
aur.d, rs | gathered from occasional observations
dropped by him, would have been OF the greatest
ADVANTAGE to the United States Government.
| remember in conversation IN my house. at
Jenna at the time to which | have already re-
ferred remark was made by the General which
threw light upon an intrinsic quailtY OF ms charac
ter. | was speaking of attacks ina 10 npon his char
acter and upon that of rany men In whom he
trusted who seemed be attacked because they
were his friends. This cl him TO open his heart To
some extent and show his feeling after the lapse Of
time He finally said referring 10 one gentle
man who stood in official relations TO him.
q He is the only man of them all that | cannot
forgive | knew tins gentleman well, aud dd not
Lelieve him gnilty OF the personal treaetery to
winch the General alluded. and venturcd 10 eX
press Inv dsseGtient opinion. He replied that there
was no question bat what he had given counte-
nance to a charge or suspicion which was abso utely
without foundation. and standing in TN" relation
to him that he did, he felt that he could not forgive
him for the act But against no other, inc udmg
his political enemies. did he in conversation ex-
press the slightest bitterness Of feeling lie seemed
willing that political persecution should be buried
with the past as he desired the enmtles OF the war
should he buried | doubt if a DuOiic man
retired from public life with 50 kind and Christian
feeling toward thoss who had been his aNowc,l
enemies ana detractors did General Grant. IL
NAV be that the single instance of bitterness 10
which | have referred also disappeared subse-
auently: but his freedom from all malice Of feeling
at the time referred 10 struck me then, aud i'm
presses me still. as fact which should tend greatly
10 elevate the character of General Grant, as his
tory shall record it, JouN 4. KAssON.