The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-07-21
BUCKNEE AND GRANT.
Tho. Dying Hero EulOgized--The
Desire of Both for Lasting Peace.

New YORK. July I6 General Simon
B Buckner, tie ex Confederate soldier,
who called upon General Grant at Mt
McGregor and had long talk with him,
is at The Fifth Avenue Hotel, but will re-
turn to his home in Kentucky to-mor-
row. General Buckner has hitherto per-
sistently declined 10 make public any
part of his interview with General Grant,
on the ground that it was private and
personal, and not intended for pubica-
ton. General Bnckner was class-mate
of General Grant at West Point and
served with him through the Mexican
war and their friendly relations were
never weakened, twihstanding they
fought on opposite sides during the re-
bellion. When General Buckner called
at Mt. McGregor General Grant was
unable to talk, aud the convers ition on
his part was carried on entirely in wri
ting. The slips OF paper upon which
he wrote are carefully treasured by Gen
eral Buckner as mementces of his visit.
After mature consideration, and, becom.
ing sa isied that General Grant would
not object, General Buckner yesterday
decided to give to the public the only
portion of the memorable interview
which, in his opinion, is OF interest to
the country at large. He handled the
little slips of paper on which General
Grant had written almost as though lhey
weie sacred. General Backner said:
"We had some general conversation,
which was of interest to no one hut our
selves, and which do not feel justified
in giving to the public. In the course Of
it. however, Gen. Grant wrote one par
agraph which | regard as of great i'm
portance. and which the public have
right to read Here it is in full, just as
he wrote it:
81 have witnessed since nv Sickness"
General Grant wrote, Just what have
wished to see ever since the war-har.
mony and good feeling between the sec-
tions. have always contended that if
there had been nobody left but the sol
diers we would have had peace in year
-and--are the only two that
know of who do not seem to he salts fed
on the Southern side. We have some
on ours who failed to accomplish as
mnch as they wished. or who did not
get warmed up to the fight until it was
all over, who have not bad quite full sat.
isfaction. The great majority. too, o.
those who did not 60 into the war have
long since grown tired of the long con-
troversy. We may now well look for
ward to a perpetual peace at home and
national strength that will screen Us
against any foreign complications.
believe myself that the war was worth
all it cost, fearful as that was. Since
it is over Saye visited every State in
Europe and a number in the East. /
know now, as / did not before, the value
Of our institutions
"Those," said General Buckner, "are
noble sentiments Of genuine patriotism,
and | think that the general Iublic ought
to share with me the knowledge tha,
General Grant holds such views. They
show that be has only the good of his
country at heart in the last moments of
his patriotic lite. The names of those
which I have left blank are those of ex-
Con 'ederates still living, and / don't feel
at liberty to make them public. B yond
this sentiment there is nothing whatever
in the interview that is of interest to
anybody except General Grant and my
self"