The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-13
A MEMORABLE OCCASION.
John p. Usher Recalls the Scene When Grant
Was Made Lieutenant-G General.

Was Made Lieutenant-General.
Lawrence (Kas Special to Globe Democrat
On one of the handsomest streets of this beau
tiful young Western city, just at the foot of
Mount Dread, whose top is crowned with the
State University, stands the large stone man
sion Gf Judge John p. Usher, the sole surviving
member of Lincoln's first Cabinet. There is a
solid appearance about the spacious residence
and grounds Of this venerable representative of
war times in strict harmony with the simplicity
of tho rugged nature of its occupant and the
lofty ideals of loyalty, devotion country and
friends that he has ever worshiped. 1t is a
generous welcome that this man, rich
in the memories and glories of period peerless
in the history of the Nation, always gives the
visitor. Though an inyeterate smoker and
now in his seventy seventh year, Judge Usher
will not die of smoking cigars to the excess, for
he still clings to the old clay pipe and the simple
wayScf the meu of the past. Judge Usher. as
remint@d, is the sole survivor of Mr.. Lincoln's
Cabinet, and, with General Grants death, will
be the single living man who was present at one
of the most interesting ceremonies ever wit
messed in this country-something moro, in fact,
than a ceremony; solemnity, an impressive
scene It was the presentation of the commission
to Grant as general of all the armies.
have just returned from an interesting even
ing's conversation with this hard working at
torney Of the Union Pacific railway, whose voice
is still heard and frequently in the courts
supreme, federal and State.
Eyes," said Judge Usher, 'I recall the scene
very readily in the Cabinet chamber on the occa-
sion of the presentation by President Lincoln of
~ ton Of r
general and General of all the armies. The
grade, you will remember. had been revived in
the winter Of 1863 "a, with the view of giving
the position to General Grant. The lank was
created in 1913 for Washington, who held it but
one year before his death. In 1855 it was be-
slowed upon General Scott, brevet The Cabi-
net meetings were on Tuesdays and Fridays
At any special meeting Mr. Seward would send
a note to each member of the Cabinet, stating
that the President desired O consultation. On
the occasion referred to, which was the 9th of
March, 1864, General Grant having been ap-
pointed on March 2, there were present Presi-
dent Lincoln, Mr.. Seward. Secretary of State;
Mr. Chase, Secretary of Treasury; Mr.. Stanton
Secretary of War; Mr.. Blair, Postmaster-gen-
eral, and l. Secretary of the Interior, and
Attorney general Bates. When | arrived all
the members of the Cabinet had preceded me
except Mr.. Stanton The President was very
cheerful and appeared in most excellent spirits
/ said to him upon entering tho Cabinet cham
Der: Mr.. President, what's up? Is it anything
specially important that calls US together to dayp
Mr. Lincoln rather evaded direct answer The
table was Uttered with all sorts of papers and
official documents, as it usually was and on one
corner of the table, which was long writing
table similar to this one pointing to one before
us in his library was a long tin case that had
not noticed. The President was standing near
the fire as went in. and soon Mr.. Stanton came
in with General Grant and General Halleck. [
had never Grant. and don't think Presi-
dent Lincoln or any of his Cabinet had ever seen
him before. They stepped up to the table and
we all gathered around, Mr.. Stanton standing
on the right and General Halleck on the left of
General Grant. The President picked up
small piece of paper from the table, about the
size of my hand, and read, as nearly as can
remember, the following speech. Various re-
ports of the speech have been published, but /
have never seen a correct one in type yet:
General Grant-The loyal men of the
United States appreciate your great services
and, under God, expect you to accomplish what
remains to be done, and with this view you are
presented with this commission taking it from
the tin case before referred to constituting you
lieutenant general in the army of the United
States. / need scarcely add that with what /
here speak for the Nation goes my own hearty
personal concurrence
General Grant responded, commencing as If
he had inflated his lungs specially for the occa-
sion When he got about halfway through his
short speech he stopped and hesitated, and
fumbed from out his pockets the balance of
brief speech with peculiar look, as much as to
say guess had better read this thing He
said:
.''Mr. President accept the commission,
with gratitude fer the high honor conferred.
With the aid OF the noble armies that have
fought on so many fields for our common coun-
try, it will be my earnest endeavor not to disap-
point your expectation. feel the full weight
of the responsibility now devolving upon me,
and know if they are met it will be due to
those armies and, above ALL the favor of the
Providence which leads both nations and men,
''The Cabinet were then presented to the
General and conversation on the military situas
ton and the prospects of victory were talked
over. 1t win be remembered that the two great
armies were confronting each other but few
miles from Washington. A half days march
would bring them together. 1t was dark ard
momentous period of the country and there was
der, and shared in by the President and eli the
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