The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-09-02
General Grant and Total Abstl-
nence.
BY THE REV. T. H. HAGEErY, cHAPLAIS.

By THE REV. T. H. HAGERTY, CHAPLAIS.
| Our nation il not simply indebted to
| Gt neral Grants sword for the wonder
ful success crowning his presidency, hut
| 10 the termination that could and did
control self, which is harder to do than
| to conquer city. It was the self con-
troll that made General Grant the on
trolier of armies, as is seen 10y the fol
lowing facts.
1t is not denied but that up to the
time OF the Fort Donelson struggle,
Grant. 1nis was seen. felt, and terribly
feared by those locking on. After
victory was finally gained at that holly
contested place, chaplain was moved
to speak kindly, but plainly, to the Gen.
eral in about these words:
General Grant, you are here at the
| head os this great army. In it you
have the lives and destinies of the soas,
fathers, aud husbauds--the flower of the
Northwestern your keeping. Thousands
of mothers are prayil g constantly for
these manly sons; wives are bedewing
their pillows at night as they think of
and pray for the fathers of their chill
dren; little children, kneeling by the
trundle-bed, pray that God viii take
care of their papa, and bring him home
again; churches led by earnest pastors,
are praying that the Go of battles will
care for the able bodied men who have
gone out from their aitars. The nation
has put into your hand the flower of her
citizen army, and is pouring her
treasures at your feet. Much depends
upon you, more than any other man. If
you let dissipation get any advantage CT
you, it will not only endanger all these
precious lives and national treasures,
but the example will be hurtfui TO both
subordinates and men in rank. In the
name of these mothers, wives, children,
churches, and the nation, think of these
things! In the name of God, General,
whose servant ! am. | ask YOU to ponder
these things we'll, and at oneei'
The General sat and listened attentively
as he looked the chaplain squarely in the
face, and said promp ly:
Chaplain, | promise you | will use no
more liquor while | am at the head of
the armyp'
That was the bravest aud most success
full stroke that General Grant ever n ade
most likely.
had this from the lips of an officer in
his army Once before the seige of
Vicksburg. my informant was passing
the headquarters of division general,
and was called in by the general of the
division. As he entered he saw sitting
before him, on a camp stool, IN faded
blouse and aud soft felt hat, an off GER
unknown to him.
After the first salutation, the division
general said:
Captain, allow me to introduce you to
General Grant"
Astonished and greatly embarrassed,
my informant blushed, and was scarcely
able to speak. General Grant saw the
discontinue of the captain, and arose
and extended his hand, and said:
"How do you do, captain; am glad
to see you. Sit down. You are from
w sconsin, believer"
Then followed such friendly and
easy conversation that the captains
fright did not become rout, but the
commencement of any easy and friendly
acquaintance. In few mements the di
vision general had bottle set before
them. General Grant at once and posi-
lively refused to drink. The bottle dlsap
peared on double quick.
From the lips of another officer had
the following as occurring about the
time of the Chattano' 6 campaign. A
company of general officers were at the
headquarters of corps, talking, laugh
ing, and having good time generally.
General Grant came quietly in, and
entered into friendly conversation.
Soon the general at whose tent they were
said:
81 have just got some fine brandy by
the last express. Let us have some"
General Grant said: "None for me. "
"Oh yes, General Grant," said the
hospitahle general; "you will drink with
us this wet morning"
"No, gentlemen | do not drink, and
have none about my headquarters!
"That was a Look Out Mountain
| victory that we do not hear of SO often.
Who dares say it did not have as much
to do with Appomatox as the one where
the leadea hail fell from the clouds
Would that all men had such power to
command self as did the old commander
Would that all could see the neeo of it
as clearly as did the Silent Man.-Nsao
York 4drocdte.