Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-01
RRMlN1soENons on GRANT.
lie Astonishes Natives Getting Square
with MT. Beecher.


Leather ReD0rtei, has an entertaining
reminisceuce Of Gen. Grant. Some years
ago Mr.. Bailey with other friends went
Along with the soldier on an excursion up
the New England coast. A yacht took
the party for sail to Mount Desert,
but dense fog settled on the water, and
the little craft CROPPED its way through
the darkness. After some hit-and-miss
drifting the party We're hailed from the
shores of one OF the lesser islands that
abound in the Desert region and cordi-
ally invited TO tie up for the night There
was rejoicing on the rocks when the ma
tives discovered that fortune had sent
them the great hero OF the war as
guest. supplemented fishermen were
these people who lived on the little island,
bat in no circle in ali the world was n
heartier welcome ever gwen 10 the
famous man: and il action goes for any
fhing mo- reception with parade and loud
acclaimlng ever gave the great leader
more pleasure. the best house on the
island was put at his disposal; there was
nothing that the ogen-hearted fishermen
We're not willing TO do gladly 10 insure
his comfort. Their rude courtesy fasc-
mated Gen. Grant. He made no effort 10
conceal his pleasure at their kindness.
The mood OF thOughtiulness, selt-abstrac-
tion. taclturnity-the characteristic trait
by various men called different names
was all gone. Gravity yielded 10 gent
alty and rare good nature sottened his
manner. When supper had been eaten
the party gathered round fireplace in
the kitchen of the house. Grant talked
of the war, of Nicksburg, Of Chait0-
nooga. of what the Union had suffered,
and what il was destined TO achieve. IL
"a sa1a NM 4ff vsr hot Il ftl a %
statement OF events, and be told IT Well
and feelingly. Some Of his auditors had
never heard BIN talk before, ana had the
impression, that prevailed so extensively,
that his taciturnty was habItual, pos
sessin2 some of the characteristics of
stohdlty. They sat and listened with
Wrapt attention, 1t was O'Clock in the
morning before any of them got TO bed.
A prominent New York clergyman,
talking 70 friend yesterday, paid trib-
ute 10 one feature of zen. Grants ch8rac-
Ter which will receive the Endorsement Of
everybody who had close opportunities
Tor observation. 81 had many chances
10 talk with Grant, he said, land it was
always a part Of my plan 10 try to draw
out MS ideas OF the inside history of the
war. 1 always noticed and noticed to
admire, the singular justice, almost judi
cial fairness, with which he treated every
Dther man's performance, and toe ex-
IRENE mOdesty and moderation with which
he ever spoke of his own part in the great
conflict. II was as if he had been simply
an inspector Of the campaigns and was
acting only as a matter-Oi-fact reporter Of
what he said
81 also remember q dinner at Del
m0nico's where Grant was present and
showed pretty plainly some OF the stuff
that was IN him. said the same clergy
man. "A well-knOwn man about town
who happened 70 be present had fired
himself up into new courage and new
wit by looking oYermuch upon the wine
cup. His inner nature began to snow it's
real colOrs and he insisted on trying to
entertain Gen. Grant with a choice col
lection of stories that would have won
him Immortality in Hester street. Grant
showed his Impotence in all the WAYS
that p0liteness could suggest; the vendor
OF the cheap stories took no hint. Finally
be turned directly to the General and be-
gan 10 spin of another and a more objec-
tionable yarn. His innuendOes Jared so
upon the ears of his listener that finally
snderanCe WAS exhausted, and in the very
middle OF the fragrant recitation Gen.
Grant arose and, with glance fiery and
whitening, turned TO the other gentlemen
about him, ignoring the stOry-teller
wholly. and said: You will excuse me-
Moving away, he was soon seated in the
further end Of the room, whittier the
lowed pretty promptly. 1t was a Calling
rebuke, and IN more than one way | have
noticed since that the humbed vulgarian
has tried TO satisfy wounded pride by as
saults on the soldier.
i know other instances where Grant
showed this same aversion 10 everything
questionable in conversational tone. He
was man Of the purest personal morals,
hating profanity, never caught in rude
stories, and frowning upon the very
shadow OF obscenity.s
Gen. Grant, however, had full appre-
citation OF a good story or a wel-turned
Joke. All that be asked was that IL should
DO healthful and honest and clean. One
biz of his quiet hGmor at the expense of
Rev Henry Ward Beecher was recalled
by Mr.. Beecher in a chat with me the
other day. The preacher had prevailed
upon the soldier to visit Brooklyn as the
guest Of the Thirteenth regiment, which
lad planned some sort of "A celebration.
Dir. Beecher, as Chaplain, carried the
proud title Of Captain, and he made this
plain in a neat little speech with which ne
unexpectedly pricked up the General to
"a few remarks" Grant met Beecher
soon after at the New England Society's
dinner In Brooklyn, and referred once OF
twice TO Maj. Beecher. The Plymouth
pastor credited this 10 a slip Of the tongue,
but his eve was opened a. little later when,
at the New England Society dinner in
New York, ne found himself heralded by
Grant as Col. Beecher, not once, but again
and again. Then he began 20 protest, but
Grant would not have II. Next time il
shall be General" he said 10 the preacher;
land il you don't keep on going higher it
Will be becaus the titles give out" Little
by little he was paying Beecher of for
putting him whore he had 90 make that
speech 10 the Thirteenth
"What Of Grants religionW Mr.. Beecher
vas asked.
"Grsnts religion! l believe, after years
OF observation, that he was very simple
minded, answering Christian. He did
not talk Of his faith continually. He saw
no need 10 talk of ~. In bis own mind
and heart no questions were raised he re-
garded Christianity as fact fixed aud
settled, and he accepted tJust as he would
any other tact-accepted IL, unquestion-
ing, just az a loyal officer would accept
the order Of his commander. It's claim
and its authority were conclusive"
A Remarkable Towing Feat.
Prom, he LiUsrpooi Post.
The steamer Forcados, belonging 10 the
British and African Steam Navigation
COMPANY. Is now DerfOrminW A towing