River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-04-09

why the old man (all soldiers call Gen Grant
the old man, went into business, and particu-
larry why he set himself up in Wall street From
the timo he imbibed this business notion
have always felt that Gen. Grant was off his
base, and that he had lost that abundance of
caution that has always charactized all his
movement l have listened to him talk about
making money in perfect amazement He
imagined he had talent for making money,
and that his sons all possessed this talent TO a
remarkable degree. He seemed never to tire
of talking about this when we were so situat-
ed as TO be free from interruption, and when
We could talk with freedom of bygone DAYS.
Now l know that Gen. Grant did not possess
the talent or genius for making money. His
nature is too generous and confiding 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 never
keep money before he set up in Wall street,
and You all know he is very bright fellow
who can keep money after he gets there.
What most surprised me- however, was that he
should talk so much about this newly discov-
cred talent He talked persistently, and he
could talk well when he talked of accommodating
money. As / noticed his earnestness of man
ner, sometimes thought that / understood
him in this particular. Still, could not en-
tirey divest myself of the apprehension L
felt on his account and his very perslsten-
cy and earnestnes5 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 vet Grant knew that he had extra
ordinary abilities in 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 was really
aware Of Nobody, however, ever heard him
talk about what he possessed in this direction
and the simple fact that he descanted 50 free
ly to me on his money making talents started
suspicion in my mind that his previously
strong mental forces were breaking up and
that he was rapidly moving away from his
previous well-established lines of prudence
and safety.
Later in the evening returning to Gen. Grant
he spoke of the reluctance with which Gen.
Grant left the army to become president
You have seen the statements to the effect
that the ''old man" laid plans to secure the
nomination for the presidency in 6S There
is no foundation for such statements. And
know whereof | speak l know that his feel
ings and desires were at that time touching his
future. He wanted, above all things, to re-
main with the army he loved, and whose
idol no 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
no taste or inclination for civil office
The Washington Star publishes an interview
with j. A J. Creswell, in Gen Grants cabinet
speaking of the generals fondness of his fam
lily, evenness of temper, the uniinching dis
charge of his official duties, and his great cour-
age, MIR. Creswell said
l asked Grant once, if, when giving orders
for an engagement he was not appalled, by the
great loss of life which would ensue. He re-
piled: mo. 1t was war; but realized what it
meant l never gave such orders until was
satisfied it was the best course to pursue, and
then l was willing to shoulder the response
bnity." He added many men failed as COM
manders simply because of the unwillingness
to assume this responsibility. He spoke of two
men who were fearless in this respect, Sherman
and Sherdan The latter in particular he
thought was possessed of ample courage to do
what seemed best and be responsible for the
outcome 1t wasn't rashness and heedlessness,
but fearlessness in assuming responsibility for
the results" Grant did not desire to be presI-
dent third term for any glory or reputation,
but his sole object was to reconcile the North
and South, and | think he would have done it
thoroughly. The solid South would have been
a thing of the past