The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-07-22
GRANT AND BUCKNER.
The Sick Mans Sentiments Regarding the
War and Its Result-In His Travels
He Realized the Full Value of
American Institutions.

New YORK July 16-General Simon B.
Buckner, the ex-Confederate soldier, who
called upon General Grant at Mount McGregor
and had long talk with him, is at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel, but will return to his home
in kentucky tomorrow. General Buckner
has hitherto persistently declined to make
public any part of his interview with Gen.
eral Grant on the ground that it was private
and personal and not intended for publica-
tion. General Buckner was q classmate of
General Grant at West Point. and served
with him through the Mexican War, and
their friendly relations were never weaken
ed, notwithstanding they fought on opposite
sides during the rebellion. When General
Buckner called at Mount McGregor Genera!
Grant was unable to talk, and the converse
ton on his part was carried on entirely by
writing, The slips of paper upon which he
wrote are carefully treasured by General
Buckner as mementoes of his visit. After
mature consideration and becoming satisfied
that General Grant would not object, General
Buckner yesterday decided to give to the
public the only portion of the memorable in
terview which is, in his opinion, of interest
to the country at large. He handled the lit
tie slips of paper on which General Grant has
written almost as though they were sacred.
General Buckner said: I'VE had
some general conversation which was of in
terest to no one but ourselves, and which
do not feel justified in giving to the public.
In the course of il, however, General Grant
wrote dine paragraph which | regard as of
great importance and which the public have
a right to read. Here it is in full, just as he
wrote it. L have witnessed since my sick
ness General Grant wrote. Just what have
wished to see ever since the war-harmony
nd rNr.1 faolT hnrxx Ao so,c
have always contended that if there had
been nobody left but the soldiers We would
have had peace in year. - and -
are the only two that l know OF, who don't
seem to be satisfied, on the Southern side.
We have some on ours who failed to accom-
plish as much as they wished, or who did
not get warmed up to the fight till
quite full satisfaction. The great ma
jority, too, of those who did not 60 into
the war have long since grown tired of the
long controversy. We may now well look
forward to perpetual peace at home and a
national strength that will screen us against
any foreign complications. | believe, my
self that the war was worth all il cost us
fearful as it was. Since ii was over / have
visited every State in Europe and number
in the East. know now, as did not know
before, the value Of our institutions
'sThese," said General Buckner, ''are noble
sentiments of genuine patriotism, and think
that the general public ought to share with
me the knowledge that General Grant holds
such views. They show that he has only the
good of his country at heart in the last mo-
ments of his patriotic life. The names of
those which left blank are those of ex-Con-
federates still living and l don't feel at liber-
ty to make them public. Beyond this senti-
ment there was nothing whatever in the in
terview that is of interest to anybody except
General Grant and myself"