Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-10-24
REPUBLICAN, TICKET.
THE NOBLE DEAD.

from the Hon. liauncy NJ Dt1eW, oil
New York, TO Col. Fred Grant, the
publication of which has made so pro-
found an impression on the whole ma
ton. and which has been The subject
of leading editorials in all the metro
politau dailies, tends 10 show more
than anything yet written. the grea;
services Grant rendered his county:
NEW YORK. Oct. u, 1885.
My DEAR COLONEL: In answer to
your request for the particulars of the
conversation had with your father,
and TO which alluded in "a speech be-
fore the chamber of commerce, the
following is nv best recollection:
About four years ago | sat beside
General Grant at dinner. There We're
many courses, slowly served, and the
entertainment lasted several hours.
We discussed many matters suggested
by his trip around the world, and
among other things he said to me that
when in China Prince kung, who was
regent and the real ruler during the
emperor's minority, told him of the
controversy with Japsn. War was
about to be declared, and the prince
thought il would be long and bloody
one, and asked Ghneral Grant if he
would not act as arbitrator. The gen
eral declined for want of time, but
principally because he was private
person. and had no power to enforce
his decision. lie suggested, however,
the terms of compromise.
When in Japan, shortly after, the
Mikado's ministers told their side OF
the trouble, and revealed the fact that
several of the European governments
were actively stirring up the strife on
both sides, hoping 10 benefit by the
war. The same request was made 10
him on the part of the japanese gov
crime it-to act as arbitrator-and in
again declining he stated the substance
of the compromise he had advised for
China. The two lations adopted sub
stantially the terms proposed by Cen
eral Grant. and disastrous conflict
was aycrted-
THE IMPEACHMENT PERIOD.
The conversation drifted into con
sideraiion of his relations with Prcsi-
dert Andrew johnson. The narrative
of this period was one of the most
graphic descriptions 10 which | ever
listened. and it is unfortunate Tor his
tory and posterity that II cannot be
preserved a. it was told. Ii had the
local coioring of conversations with
and statements by the chief actors, and
of the situations of parties and per-
sons ~ the events occurred, invalu
able rs port allure and esii-
mate of the times | said
in my address that General
Grant performed services 10 his
country which were unwritien quite
~ important rs any that were record
cd, and | think this narrative will bear
me out. This Is the substance of the
story:
johnson began. the day after the
assassination of Mr.. Lincoln, to loudly
proclaim at all times and places, with
constant rciteration, the shiEboleth,
Treason is odious and must be pun
ished. and the chief rebels shall be
hung" To give effect TO this senti-
ment. rs sooa As he was inaugurated,
he insisted upon the United States
Courts in Virginia finding indict-
ments against all the leading members
of the confederacy. lie also wanted
the officers in the rebel army who had
left the regular army to join the re-
bellion 10 be summarily dealt with by
court-martial. These movements of
tn President produced the greatest
CONSERVATION in the South. The con-
federate leaders appealed 10 Grant to
protect them on the parole he had Civ
en-. He saw johnson on the snb-
ject, only To be informed that the
president was. by the constitution,
Communicated chief of the army, and
that ANYTHING done by the command
ing general in the field was done sub
iect To his approval or rejection, and
he rejected the terms. Gen. Grant
urged that the rebels had surrendered
on these conditions, disbanded their
organizations, submitted universally
TO the situation. aud were carrying
out in good faith their part of the
agreements; aud every consideration
of both honor and expediency de-
manded equal good faith on the part
of the government. The other course
would have led TO an endless guerrilla
warfare. conducted in a country adj
nirably adapted tor il, by desperate
and hopeless men. Johnson obsti-
nately adhered to his view and as
sumed the authority of commander,
when Grant ilatlv told him that if
there were TO be any court-martials
one must be called TO try Gen. Grant
first: that he would, by every means
in his power. rotcst against his pa
role. and appeal to congress and the
country
In the halt called by the attitude Of
General Grant
A VERY REMARKABLE CHANGE
occurred in the views and policy of
President johnson. General Grant
discovered that the most frequent and
favored visitors TO the White House
were the men whom the president
had prescribed. In the generals
opinion ,Johnson'- LOYALTY was subor-
diuate to, if not entirely dependent
upon. his intense hatred OF the slave
holding olicarchy. He was poor
white. had been "A journeyman tailor,
and, Notwithstanding the diSiin-
guished public positions he had held.
barriers. and was treated socially with
contempt bv the proud aristocracy.
When they plunged into rebellion he
saw his opportunity. He believed in
the power of the government, aud
thought that the time had come when
he could defeat his enemies. contiscate
their property. humiliate their pride.
aud possibly destroy them. The alb
sorbing ambition and passion of his
life had been 10 be received and treat
ed as one of them by the oligarchy.
Having failed in that. and suffered in
suit and indignity in the effort, he be-
came one of The most vindictive of
men. He saw them fooled i: their
rebellion. defeated and impoverished.
and now he wanted TO kill them.
Willie he was devising means TO
overcome General Grants resistance
TO this last purpose the leaders of the
old feuda.ism called upon him. They
admitted their former treatment of
him and justified il. They said that
in all ages and countries where caste
distinctions existed conditions were
ALWAYS possible which promoted men
who had achieved success from the
lower into the nobler order. As Pres
ident of the United States he became.
regardless of birth or ancestry. not
onlv g member of their order, but lis
leader.
johnson was wild with delight; am
bition and pride were both satisfied.