The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-28
Dr.. NEyyMAN'S TALKS.
No Dread of Death--His Baptism--Opinions
on Public Questions.

on Public Questions.
Mt McGregor Special.
At this time anything showing how General
Grant bore himself in his last days is OF peculiar
interest. In conversation to-day DR.. Newman
related some personal recolections of the Gen
eral in his last sickness. In looking back over
his Illness" DR.. Newman said, II think that
which is most strikngly characteristic is the
fact that he left nothing unprovided for. He
was just as comprehensive in arranging for the
future when he would be dead as he was in
arranging his campaigns. He even designated
what the burial services were to be, wishing to
relieve his family of as much care as possible.
All that Colonel Fred has to do is to follow out
the written directions of his father. and
thus far nothing has occurred to sug-
gest an addition. Another more beautiful
thing is q letter which he wrote to the family
before bis death for their future guidance If 1t
should ever be made public it will show the
General III an aspect which entities him to the
highest esteem. One morning in the spring,
about o'clock, he seated in his chair, and
death seemed very near Iknelt beside him, and
he said. Doctor, am going i trust that the
prospect of the future is clear and bright oh,
yes, said he, speaking feebly but with the most
entire assurance. In a subsequent conversation
he said: Three times | have been down in the
valley of the shadow of death, evidently refer
ring to the words of the Psalmist [ said to him:
What was your supreme thought when you
supposed that you were goiong' HIS answer
was: That l bad tried to lead a
good and honorable life; that was
my chief consolation Another time,
i think in that same connection he said: In
one OF those extreme moments ] had dream or
u vision, could not we'll understand which But
il seemed that the lower part Of my house was
church and that had the keys to it. ] looked
around the room but there remained that strong
impression that beneath me church. Most
significant, too, / think, was that letter which
he wrote to Dr.. Douglas. where he spoke of his
thankfulness that he had been spared to finish
his book and make all arrangements for the
future so that he could say thar he was fully
prepared TO die, whereas many people are
mover prepared to die.
''Only perverted story Of the Generals bap-
tism has thus far been published said DR.
Newman, land Il correct account of it ought to
be given. On the % day of April they
physician thought he would last but five min
utes. Mrs. Grant and the Generals sister came
TO me and said the General had never been bap-
tsed l expressed my surprise, he having been
brought up in a Methodist family. | learned
that he was the only son in the family who had
not been baptized After speaking with the
Generals sons, | said l would baptize him if he
were conscious and desired it. After prayer Fred
went into an adjoining room and brought out a
silver pitcher with water in it. l spoke to the
General about the matter. He opened his eyes
and said: Doctor, thank you. had intended
to take that step myself The rites of baptism
were then performed 1t was most impressive
scone."
"Did the General talk much about public af-
fairs in his sickness" DIR. Newman was asked.
We had some conversation to while away the
hours about the prospect of a war between Eng
land and Russia. He took only laeenic part
therein. / don't know that he expressed any
opinion as to the relative merits of the two
sides Of the controversy, but he always expressed
the highest regard for the English nation. The
news Of the overthrow of the French ministry,
consequent upon the disasters in China led to
some talk about the permanence of the republic.
He expressed his belief that it would stand. AS
to the Eastern question, the General expressed
the opinion that in the ultimate settlement,
COnstantinope would probably be a free
city, and Asia Minor. Egypt, Palestine,
and the Valley of the Euphrates would be
made protectorates. He had great hope of the
East through the increase of commercial rela-
lions with the West He believed that there
would DO q rapid railroad in the East and that
the great highway of communication would be
found to be through the valley of the Euphrates
and not the Suez canal"
when did the General first make up his mind
that he was going to der asked the correspond
enL
II think he was impressed with the idea from
the beginning though sometimes he was appar-
emily hopeful of his ultimate recovery. / recol.
leet that one time when the papers Nere full of
accounts of his distressing feebeness he wrote:
Il am not conscious of any srecial weakness ~