The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-04-16

Yh1l Sheridan on Gen. Grant.
The Philadelphia Ledger prints, by pcrmis-
sion, the substance Of some remarks during .
conversation by Gen Sheridan at q dinner
party in Washington recently. Tho article
quotes Con. Sheridan - saying:
II is sad to think Of Gen Grant dying under
such physical torture - il inflicted by this tor
ribl0 disease and under such mental anguish -
know he endures in consequence OF the I'M
fortunate usiness failure that overwhelmed
him and his family. Icould never comprehend
why the old man (all soldiers call Gen. Grant
the old man, went into business, and particu-
larly why he set himself MP in Wall street From
the time he imbibed this business notion
have always felt that Gen. Grant was on hrs
caution that has always charactizcd all his
movement have listened to him talk about
making money I'm perfect amazcmcnt He
imagined he had . talent for making money.
:Ss A h: dssss seemed ns,.: o ire
Of talking about this when We we're % stnas.
cd - to be free from interruption, and when
We could talk with freedom OF byeone DAYS
Now know that Cen Grant did mot posses
tho talent or genius for making money. Hie
nature IL to generous and cOnhding for that
His talent IN connection with money was In an
opposite direction and caused him to get rid OF
money in . very short time. He could ne 'er
keep money before he ret mp in Wall street.
and you ali know he Is . very bright fellow
who can keep money after he gets there.
What most surprised me, however, was that he
should talk 30 much about this newly discov-
cred talent He talked persistently, and he
could talk we'll when he talked Of accumulating
money. As noticed his earnestness OF man.
| ner, sometimes thought that understood
him in this particular. Still, could not en-.
felt On his account and his very persistcn-
| cy and earnestness added to my fears
| Why, 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 know that he had extra
ordinary abilities in this direction, because his
| movements were brilliant and tho success that
Grant had greater talent for conducting cam
| paigns and fighting armies than he was really
aware Of Nobody, however, ever heard him
talk about what he possessed in this direction
and tho simple fact that he descantcd so free
| ly to me on his money making talents started
q suspicion in my mind that hrs previously
strong mental forces were breaking up and
that he was rsp,tly moving away from his
previous well established lines Of prudence
and safety.
Later in tho evening returning to Gen. Grant
he spoke Of tho reluctance with which Gen.
Grant left tho army to become president
You have seen the statements to tho effect
that tho 'old man" land plans to secure tho
nomination for the presidency in IS There
| is no foundation for such statements. And
know whereof speak. know that his feel
ings and desires were at that time touching his
future He wanted, above all things, to re-
main with tho army no loved, and whose
idol he il STILL and had had no ambition to DO
president He doubted his ability TO discharge
the duties Of president, but above all, he had
| no taste or inclination for civil Office.
The Washington star publishes an interview
with j. A. J. Crcswcl, in Gen. Grants cabinet
~ postmaster general over five years After
| speaking Of tho generals fondncss Of his fam
| lily, evenness of temper the uninchng dis
charge of his official duties, and his great cour-
age, Mr. Crcswell said:
| 1 asked Grant once, il, when giving orders
for an engagement he was not appalled, by the
| great loss OF lifo which would eiisue. He re-
piled: NO II was war; but realized what it
meant. ! never gave such orders until was
satisfied II was the best mise TO pursue, and
then I was willing to shoulder the RESPONSE
bility." He added many men failed as com
manders simply because of the unwllingness
to assume this responsibility. He spoke of two
menwho 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 tho
outcome. II wasn't rashncss and heedlessness,
but fearlessness in assuming responsibility for
the results" Grant did no, desire to DE presi-
dent a third term for any glory or reputation,
but his sole object was To reconcile the North
and South, and think he would have done II
thoroughly The solid South would have beon
thing of the past