The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-26

sent with him. He thought that the presence of
the victorious commander of the Union armies
would give weight and significance to to the mis-
sion, and make it seem advisable to Maximilian
to come to proper terms with the Mexicans. That
was the origin of the order to General Grant
There no thought of his standing as an OBJ
stacle in the way of any policy of the President.
When Grant declined the mission, General Sher-
man was appointed to it and made the trip.
That would have been wholly unnecessary if the
real object of the request to General Grant had
been what is now pretended. By reference here
to my notes l see that when correspondent
of the New York Herald called to interview
President Johnson on Cesarism. at the time the
Herald made such stir about Grants ambition
in that line gathered from the files for Mr.
johnson number of references to Grant and
his career. l came across this paragraph, pur-
porting to give scene in the Cabinet meeting
when this very same Mexican matter was dis
cussed. 1t reads:
Grant was now aroused and before the
whole Cabinet declared his unwillingness to
leave, whereupon the President, not answering
Grant, turned to the Attorney-general and
asked him whether there was any reason why
Grant should not obey this order, whether he
was ineligible to the position in any way. Grant
at once started to his feet and exclaimed: II can
answer that question, Mr.. President, without ap-
pealing to the Attorney-general am an Amer
lean citizen, have been guilty of no treason or
other crime, and am eligible to any civil Office to
which any other American is eligible, but this ls
me. and I cannot be compelled to undertake it.
Any legal military order will obey, but this is
civil and not military, and 1 decline the duty.
No power on earth can force me to it." The
President and his Ministers were astounded and
silent, and Grant left the Cabinet chamber
II asked Mr.. johnson if this paragraph was
true and he answered: No such thing ever hap
pened. There was occasion for it, and Grant
never made any such bumcombe speech to me
in the Cabinet 1t is one of John Forney's cam
paign canards' He was the dead duck man. you
know. Mr.. johnson believed that Grant refused
and some one appointed Secretary of War who
would be dstasteful to him (Grant). Mr.. John
son intimated that General Hancock was in his
mind to succeed Stanton, and Grant did not
favor the idea.
II might quote many letters and papers here
to elaborate the truth that President johnson
had neither of the schemes imputed to him. l
will say that, in interview this subject
with Mrs. Patterson, the only survivor of the ex-
Presidents immediate family, had in August,
she utterly repudiated the imputations. and de-
clared that she had never heard of such ideas in
nearest to him, and know all his plans fully.
She wrote to Mrs Weles, the widow of Secre-
tary Welles who knew much of the plans OF the
administration, and that lady and her son both
wrote in reply that they had never before heard
OF these matterS-certainly not from the Secre-
tary. Mrs. Patterson said it strange that
General Grant should have held his peace upon
these important matters SO long. and impending
the bitter controversies between him and her
father over Grants veracity in the mater of the
Stanton imbroglio The truth is, possibly, that
MIR. Depew has stated the impressions that Gen.
Grant referred to as his own during the period
in question. Certainly the facts are not as he
would have them, and doubt whether he can
make the people receive the story he has written
as veritable history"