The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-08-11
GRANT AS A PEACEMAKER.

bound to help bury Grant
GRANT AS A PEACEMAKER.
The Truce Between COnlxling and
Gafttefd--A Meeting OF Great
Men at Mentor. hf
Cleveland Cor. Pittsburgh Commercial Gasette
Grants last visit to Cleveland was du-
ring the Garfield campaign. Garfield
alarmed by Ccnkline's indifferent, almost
defiant attitude. and fearing that the cool.
ness of bis faction might cost him New
York in the coming election, begged his
managers to arrange meeting between
him and Conkling and Grant. The meet.
ing assumed the nature OF grand love-
east and peace was declared, but it was
due to g. ant, and Mrs Garftld's match
less cooking Grant and Senator Conk
ling went TO Warren, where a great meet.
ing was held during lhe day. Senator
COnkling was still indifferent, and made
no allusion to General Garfield in his
speech. The writer FASTENED to Mentor
in advance of his distinguished guests,
who we're to arrive in the evening Gar
field was hurrying about the house per.
sonally aiding Mrs Garfield in preparing
Tor the visitors. When the writer called
him out on the piazza moment and told
him Conkliug had ignored him in his
speech that day, Garfield 8 face assumed
a look Of deep trouble, but be refused to
discuss the matter. He could hardly be
lieve the statement, and the moment NJ.
A. Hanna, Chairman of tue Cleveland
Reception Com nittee. arrived at Lawn
field from Warren Garfield pulled him
aside aud said: "Msrk is it true that
Conkling made no allusion to me in bis
speech to-day 2"
Hanna said that 1t was and Garfield re.
marked, "Mstters look very bad"
His hopes OF compromise with Conk-
ling had been dashed 10 the ground. At
that juncture the carriage containing
Grant and Conkling drove up Garfield
|opened the carriage door and CoukIing
Iextended his hand and exclaimed, "Gen-
eral. i am proud to meet you at your
home" There was lack OF heartiness
in his voice. The Republican managers
bad planned the meeting with consum-
mate skill, believing that the sight Of the
father and husband under bis own simple
vine would impress Mr. Conkling. II did
win Gen Grants hearty support. When
Mr.. Conkling had aligated Grant stepped
down from the carriage and grasped
Garield's hand. He uttered scarcely q
word, but there was that in th' firmness
of bis grasp and in the long boiling oi
the hand that made Garfeld's face lighi
Lup with pleasure, The light which
Estresmed out from the open door fell on
those two men with clasped hands and
Illuminated q rare tabeau.
Once indoors the party made itself al
home. Grant fingered long at the side
fof Grandma Garfield. and Conkling. with
the grace OF gallsnt, delighted Mrs
Garfield with his courtlY attentions
Good old DR. Robson. a simple old mar
who worshipped Garfield, led Conkling
aside to praise bis hero,as he called Gar.
field. Robson helped buy Lawnfield for
Garfield and he did not hesitate to openly
Eupbraid every man who opposed him. Ir
a few moments Conkling had frozen tht
old gentleman out. but General Gran
charmed the good doctor with his silen
cordiality and assured him that Garfield
had nothing 10 fear
An informal luncheon was served. Th,
little dining room at L,wnfeld bad neve
contained so many distinguished men a
stood around its table that evening
Grant, Conkling. Levi P Morton, L ,gsI
aud score of others were there, ant
every man of them ate heartily ant
praised Mrs. Garfield's splendid coffee
Even Senator Conkiag was melted by II
and be fingered so long at the table tha
Mrs. Garfield called bis attention to th
fact that all the guests had repaired T.
tthe parlor. He paid her a pretty com
pliment about the excellence OF the lun
cheon making him ohlivious to all eur
roundings but herself. and escorted he
into The parlor. Then she walked owe
to attend TO some OF the less importan
guests, for she knew what was coming
AT that juncture Garfield invited Conh
ling and Grant to step upstairs into hi
saDetum, cstensibfy to take smoke
kDr. Robinson and Mrs. Garfield. wer
Epreoccupied and anxious from the mc
ment the celebrated trio ascended tn
Istnirs. No one attempted to follow then
Perhaps no one will ever know WIS
transpired, but it is known that peae
lat least during the campaign was d.
clared, and that Grant was largely r.
sponsible for 1t. II is believed that b
won from Conkling promise to suppo
Garfield The meeting was brief The
cigars we're not half burned when the
descended the stairs.
4 The anxious look bad flown from Ga
Fields face. and his wife's preoccupie
manner gave way when she read the stor
10 her husbands features. Grant RI
marked that he would go out on tt
piazza to fipish bis cigar, but CARTEL
pleasantly exclaimed, "Smoke in ii
honse, General. Smoke anywhere +"
A terrific storm came mp suddenly {
the guests were shout to leave Lawnfiel'
and all, except General Grant and
score OF rural sigbtseers, hurried il
: doors. The General remained on Il
piszza watching the storm. As be stoo'
with his cigar between bis teeth, the mi
mien that he had worn in society d
parted nader the fierce inspiration If Il
battling elements and be looked o typic
{ warrior.
! That the treaty Of peace between Ga
field and Conkling was sincere vi
proyed on the following evening, whs
Senator Conkling spoke in the armol
in Cleveland, and eulogized Gener
Garfield so eloquently that the immenl
:. crowd of hearers fairly shook the TO
timbers with continued cheering.