The Northern Pacific farmer., 1885-04-09
Phil Sheridan on Gen. Grant.

The Phi1adelphia Ledger prints, by pertnis-
sion, the substance of some remarks during
conversation by Gen Sheridan at dinner
party in Washington recently. The article
Quotes Gen sheridsn as saying:
It is SID to- think Of Gen Grant dying under
such physical torture as is inflicted by this ter
rible disease and under such mental anguish as
know he endures in consequence OF the un-
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 upin Wall street From
the time he imbibed this business notion l
have always felt that Gen. Grant was OIL his
base, and that he had lost that abundance Of
caution that has always charachZed sH ms
movement have listened to him talk about
making money in perfect amazement de
imagined he had talent for making money,
remarkable degree he seemed never to tire
of talhiDg about this when we were so sltuae-
ed as to b6 free from interruption, and when
we could talk With freedom of bygone days
Now I know that Gen. Grant did not possess
the talent or genius for making money. H1s
nature is too generous and confding for that
His talent IN connection with money was Id an
opposite direction and caused him to get nd OF
money in q very short time he could never
keep money before he set up in Wall street,
and you all know he is very orlgnt 1elao~ .eao
What most surprised me, however, was that ne
should talk 80 much about this newly dlscov-
cred talent He talked persfstently, ana ne
could talk well when he talked OF accommodating
money AS 1 noticed his earnestness OF man
ner, sometimes thought that / understood
him in this particular. Still, I could not en-
tirely divest myself of the apprehension
felt on his account and his very persisteQ-
ey 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, add yet Grant knew that he had extra
ordinary abilities 1n 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
paigns and fighting armies than he wss really
aware of. Nobody, however, ever heard him
and the simple fact that he descanted so free
" to me 0n his money making talents started
a suspicion III my mind that his previously
strong mental forces were breaking up and
ttst he was rapidly moving away from his
previGts wel-estabished lines OF prudence
and safety.
Later in the evening returning to Gen. Grant
he spoke of the reluctance with which Gen
Grant loft the army to become president
YOU have seen the statements to the eject
that tff0 ''OlG "6Q' 1Alu plduo ~ 0eNut0 'tAo
nomination for the presidency in '6a !here
is no foundation for slch statements AND
know whereof speak. I know that his feel
ings and desires we're at that time touching n1s
future He wanted, above all things, to re-
main with the srmy he loved, and whose
idol he is still, and had had no ambition to be
president he doubted his ability to discharge
the duties of president, but above all, he had
hS tsste or inclination for civil office.
Tho Washington Star publishes an interview
with ]. A. J. Greswell, in Gen. GraDt's cabinet
as postmaster general over five years. After
speaking Of the genefsl's fondness of his fam
ily evenness of temper, the uniinching dis
Charge of his official duties, and his great cour-
age, MIR. Greswell said:
I asked Grant once, if, when giving orders
for an engagement be was not appalled, by the
great loss Of life which would ensue. He re-
piled: "No. It was war, but realized what 1T
Aresnt l never gave-sucb orders until was
satisfied it was the best course to pursue, and
then I Was willing to shoulder the RESPONSE
bllity." He added many men failed as CON-
manders simply because Of the unwllllDgness
to assume this responsibility. Re spoke OF two
isen who were fearless in this respect, Sherman
and Sheridan The latter in particular, he
thought was possessed of ample courage to 90
what seemed best, and be responsible for the
outcome. It wasn't rashness and heedlessness,
but feariessness in assuming responsibility 1or
the results Grant did not desire to be pres1-
dent third term for any glory or reputation,
but his sole object was to reconcile Inc Nortn
and South, and I think he would have done IL
thoroughly The solid South would have been
a thing of the past