The National tribune., 1885-07-30

the inflammation being so far
sallayed that the General was able to eat and
Sspeak with comparatively little difficulty. On
7Feb. IL, which was a raw. damp day, he went,
against the advice of his friends to the office of
dDr Douglas for his daily treatment. He caught
5cold again, and on the following day the throat
Spresented an alarming appearance. Malignant
scancerous ulcers were seen, and the attendant
symptoms were such as to awaken anew the
Sgravest apprehensions. For few days the
General seemed to grow worse. lie was in
sclined for short time to yield to mental de-
3pression in consequence of his affection and
sthe belief that it would prove fatal. He soon
Erecovered his composure, however, and at no
stime thereafter did he share the alarm of his
Sfriends in view of the inevitable result He
srealized that he was at the threshold of death,
sbut with cheerful resignation he determined
sbravely to meet his fate.
THE RETIREMENT BILL IN CONGRESS.
One subject very near to the Generals mind
iduring the Winter was the action of Congress
Jon the bill to restore him to the army and
3place him on the retired list He felt that this
Recognition was justly due him, and refused to
accept anything in the form of pension. He
ghad resigned life position as General of the
Army at the call of his country to occupy the
Presidential chair. He felt that if he were re-
astored to his rank and place be would die con-
Stent. The long and unmanly higgling of Con-
asress over the bill caused him much distress of
! mind, and when, on Jan. 10. the House refused
Ito pass the bill, he was deeply grieved The
snews came to him by telegraph Immediately
Batter the vote was taken. When he read the
9dispateh he sank back in his chair remaining
Ga long time silent. The final passage of the bill
almost at the last moment Of the session, was
Extremely gratifying to him, as it was to the
1Scrowd that densely packed the galleries of the
;fSenate chamber, and cheered again and again
Al r. l. III L.
zmoment Grant would have passed away before
another Congress could have righted the wrong.
land it would have been forever a cause of re-
ssgret to many millions of people
q PROGRESS OF THE DISEASE
j By March the disease had made rapid pro-
agress, stubbornly resisting all efforts to subdue
Tor stay its progress. The physicians gave the
sopinion that death would speedily ensue, plac-
sing the probable limit of life at three months.
with the possibility that it might be protracted
Zone or two months longer. The result showed
Ia few days less than five months from that time.
2 The passage of the retirement bill by Congress
4on March greatly raised his spirits but the
ksame day he expressed the belief that he would
|snot live month. His sufferings increased from
Eday to day. The pain at length became so
Severe and constant that he was unable to sleep
Eat night, and hypodermic injections of morphia
swere resorted to with good effect. During all
<this time the General worked upon his book
swith unremitting zeal, whenever his pain would
5permit. He was exceedingly anxious to COM
Splete his labors before the shadows that were
fast gathering about him should put an end for
lever to his work.
THE GENERAL AND "NELLIE."
q Mrs. Sartoris-the Generals daughter Nellie
for whom he had the most tender and abid-
sing affection, left England on March 10 to re-
.smain with him and comfort him during the
Sclosing hours of his life. He expressed much
anxiety for her safe passage across the ocean,
sand when she arrived March 20 the General
'SSwas overjoyed. The meeting between father
Eand daughter under such painful circumstances,
Twas most affecting, for the great love between
Tthem was thoroughly mutual. Mrs. Sartoris
Mwas his almost constant companion, watching
Isby his bedside and ministering to his wants
with all a daughters tenderness
AUTOGRAPHS.
Up this time, ever since his illness began,
&Gen. Grant had received hundreds Of requests
afor autographs In the same kindly spirit
5that he had always shown in this respact, he
9had obligingly complied with these requests
ssetting apart certain time each day for that
ypurpose. His fast failing strength, which he
<felt must be devoted to his still unfinished
2book, compelled him reluctantly to abandon the
slwriting of autographs. So DESTROYS was he of
ggratifying those who took the trouble TO write
Son this subject, or to leave their albums, that
zit was really source Of grief to him that, upon
Tthe advice of his physicians, he was forced to
&decline. Every letter was answered, however,
&with statement giving the reasons for a nom
Scompliance.
AN EXCITING DAY.
March 90 was a day of unusual excitement.
$0n that day his testimony was taken, at much
8length, to be used in the trial of James ID. Fish,
4late President Of the collapsed Marine Bank,
Swho was intimately associated with Ferdinand
Ward in financial affairs and whose joint opera
Htions caused the firm and the bank to 20 down
ktogether. The General gave his testimony in
Ia low, clear voice, without any show of feeling
ztoward the men who had caused such hope
sHless wreck of his fortune. Tho long use of his
8voice greatly exhausted him and he passed a
Esleepless night. The next day his throat show
led a marked change for the worse.
ON THE VERGE OF THE GRAVE.
On the night of March % the patient was
xseized with violent fit of coughing, which
Egrcatly alarmed his friends. This was followed
Ely severe nervous prostration. He grew weaker,