Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-08-08

HOW GRANT SAVED THE SOUTH FROM An rks
vAsIoN OF pEMAooGUEs
From the Atlanta (Ga-) Constitution. August q
Like all her confederate sisters, Atlanta w.
ready 10 die In the last ditch.
She found this last ditch something moro
than iurid figure Of warlike rhetoric. LITERAL
ly IL was bloody chssrn- and when she turn-
bied into IL the swarming legions or Sherman
surged around and about it and over IL, and
then rolled resistless onward-a mighty blue
wave shooting straight 10 the sea-
It was months before the shattered victim
struggled 10 her feet again and stood amid the
ashes OF her ruined temples. The trenendous
tidings of Appomattox failed 20 stir her pulse or
thrill her breast Slowly, as the seasons glided
away, her strength was renewed, her olden
courage revived. and the hum OF industry and
the CHATTER OF trafie were again heard In her
The last days OF 'es found the Gate City q
busy chaos The old thorouehfares were just
beginning 20 straegle out from under the ash
heaps, and tumultuous mushroom growth OF
temporary structures spread out I'm every direcs
told their story OF the famous seiee OF forty
days. There were other disagreeabie suggcs.
lions OF disaster and defeat Victorious foemen
flushed with triumph jostled the sad-faced cftt
zens In the street and filled the air with their
martial clangor. On almost every corner stood
an ebony statue, a frownng menace 20 cfvilis
ration, in the shape OF q black soldier. with q
bayonet in one hand and Q spelling book In the
other.
These discordant elements and evidences al
peace and war, OF destruction and reconstruc-
ton, wore their usual grim look one gloomy
whose quiet gray eyes took In the scene Is ne
drove with a companion through the ragged
streets, past blackened ruins and over piles Of
Leaning back in the top buggy, with the lap
robe well drawn up 10 keep on the pelting,
down over his brow and took a thoughtful sur.
vey Of the situation. He listened attentively "a
said little i in return. The few people harryins
TO and fro on this tnclement day dismissed the
silent man with glance. They saw only 1
citizen. His careless attire, his apparently list
less manner and bis hat slouched over his eyel
Those who took q second glance noted that this
stolid person was squarely and solidly built
with square shoulders, square head and
brown beard. In his square, firm mouth waa
cigar which he puffed industriously.
The Inc presence OF this visitor, unknown, per.
notable event II did much to decide the fate
OF Atlanta and of the south.
This was the first and last time that the hero
OF Appomattox ever looked upon Atlanta
Throughout that dreary December day Gen.
Grant quietly devoted himself TO the OBJECT q
south, at the request of President johnson, and
his brief sotourn in Atlanta was for the purpose
the people and their leaders.
Federal officers, ex-confederates Union sym.
the statuesque soldier. To one and ali the gem
eral listened with grave attention. Indignant
loyalfsts told him that the rebels hated the
old nag and threatened violence 10 the unions
| lists.
at 1. natural," was the only comment that
could be drawn from the general.
Some wild schemers suggested confscatioR
disran chisement and military rule.
I'VE don't do that way in America" was the
| calm reply.
An old man referred feelingly to the bad blood
| engendered by the war.
IT cannot last, said the general.
The next morning the silent visitor, with his
inevitable cigar, was on his way to Washing
ton to report to the President. Over his own
signature he assured the government and the
country that the masses Of the thinking me q
OF the south accepted the situation in good
faith"
Against that calm judgment it was useless TO
struggle. 1t broke the full force OF the cruel
the PROSTATE south were COMPELLED TO modify
their program. The demagogues were power
less when the man OF Appomattox barred their
reckless march.