The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-10-24
TERMN-BY MAIL.
GRANT'SGREATNES SS.
His Greatest Services to His
Country Unhearalded.
HIS FIRM LOYALTY

How He Frustra ted the Egotistical
Johnson in His Designs Upon
the Nation.
New YORK, October 2O.-The Hon.
Chauncey NJ. Depew has furnished to the
Press the following letter to Colonel F. u.
Grant.
New YORK, October 12, 1885.
NY Dear Colonel: In answer to vour re.
quest for particulars of the conversation
had with your father and to which alluded
in speech before the chamber of commerce.
the following is my best recollection: About
four years ago | sat beside General Grant
at dinner. There were many courses
slowly served, and the entertainment lasted
several hours. We discussed many matters
suggested by his travels around the world
and among other things he said to me that
while in China Prince Kung, who was the
regent and real ruler during the minority of
the Emperor, told him of their contro versy
with Japan. War was about to be declared
and the Prince thought it would be a long
and bloody one and asked General Grant
if he would act as arbitrator. The General
declined for want of time, but principally
becaus he was private person and had no
power to enforce his decision. He suggested,
however,
TERMS OF COMPROMISE.
When in Japan, shortly after, the Mika-
dos ministers told their side OF the trouble
and revealed the fact that several Euro
peau Governments were actively stirring up
strife on both sides, hoping to benefit by
war. The same request was made to him
on the part OF the Japanese Government to
act as arbitrator, and in again declining he
stated in substance the compromise he had
advised for China. The two nations adopted
substantially the terms proposed by Grant,
and the disastrous conflict was averted.
The conversation drifted into considera-
ton OF his relations with President Andrew
Johnson. The narrative at this period
was one OF the most graphic descriptions to
which ever listened and it is most unfor-
tunate for history and posterity that it
cannot be preserved. As it was told it had
the local coloring of the converse tions with
and statements by the chief actors and OF
parties and persons as the events occurred
and was invaluable as a portraiture and esti-
In mates OF the times. Isaid in my address
that General Grant performed services to
Ibis country which were unwritten and that
were as important as any that were re-
corded, and think this narrative will bear
me out. This 10
THE SUBSTANCE OF THE STORY.
johnson began the day after the assas-
sination OF Mr.. Lincoln to loudly proclaim
at all times and pla ces with constant reit-
Grafton the shibboleth that Treason is
odious and must be punished and that the
chief rebels should be hung to give effect to
this sentiment as soon as he was inaugu-
rated. He insisted upon the United States
Court in Virginia finding indictments
against all the leading members OF the Con-
fedracy. He also wanted the officers in the
rebel army who had left the regular army
to join the rebellion to be summarily dealt
with by Court Marshal. These movements of
the President produced the greatest con-
sternation throughout the South. The
Confederate leaders appealed to Grant to
protect them on the parole he had given.
He saw johnson on the subject only to be
Uniformed that the President was by the
army and that the thing done by the Cam
lmanding- General
ON THE FIEKD
was done subject to his approval or reiec-
tion. aud he rejected the terms. Gen. Grant
uryeG that the Rebels had surrendered on
these conditions disbanded their organiza-
tions, submitted universally to the situa-
ton and were carrying out in good faith
their part OF the agreement. and that every
consideration OF both honor and expediency.
demanded equally good faith on the part OF
the government. The other course would
have led TO an endless guerilla warfare,
conducted in country admirably adapted
for it, by desperate and hopeless men.
johnson obstinately adhered to his view,
:and assumed the authority OF the comman-
der. when Grant fatty told him that II
there were to be any court martlais one
must be called to try Gen. Grant first; that
he would by every means in his power pro-
tect his parole and appeal to Congress and
the country. In
THE HALT CALLED
by this attitude of General Grant very
remarkable change occurred in the views
and policy of President johnson. General
Grant discovered that the most frequent
visitors to the White House were men
whom the President had prescribed. In
the Generals opinion Johnson's loyalty
was subordinate to. if not entirely depend
sut upon, his entire enmity to the slave
Hoding oligarchy. He was a poor white,
had been a journeymap tailor and notwlth-
standing the distinguished public POSITIONS
he had held he could not break through the
class barrier and was treated SOCIALLY Win
contempt by this proud aristocracy. When
they plunged into the rebellion he saw his
opportunity He believed in the power OF
the Government and thought that the time
had come when he could
DEFEAT HIS ENEMIES,
Confscate their property, Illuminate Cneir
pride, and possibly destroy them. Inc
absorbing ambition and passion OF his NE
had been to be received and treated as one
OF them by the oligarchy. Having ialieu ~
that and suffered insult and lndlgnl1y III
the effort he became one OF the moso VIZ
,aiCtive of men. He saw them fall IN their
rebellion, defeated and Impoverished, anu
nov he wanted to kill them While ne was
devising means to overcome General Grants
resistance to this last purpose, the LEADERS
,of the old feudalism called upon him, they
admitted their former treatment ana JUS,
tilted it. They said that in all ages anu
countries where caste distlnctlons eHie'eu'
conditions were always possible which e paw
.motsd mon Who had achieved success from
the lover into
THE NOBLE ORDER.
As President of the United States ne pet
same regardless OF birth, OF ahces0iy H.
only a member Of their order, but lts ieac
johnson was wild with delight. Amp'Cion
and pride were both satisfied. ne oecalhe ahe
As anxious to obtain and perpetla1e .,ie
same form of system which had gwen Ino
highest social and political distinction 10
few great families, az ue had been 70 ues
troy it. Grant did not have long TO wa,!
Tor the formulation OF his plan: Inc L;aal
dent sent for him and said that tne auarv sauio~
measures OF Congress were revoiMSio"sy tr.,o ~,
and would destroy the country. me eoace
was over and the Republic wah.eu ri
and that was possible only by UNION -,
all sections. The provincial governments nn.,,
provided for the seeded States were uen
porary expedients, without constitut ;oht. ions,
authority, and the States had all the r'gnvJs
and should possess all the powers they naa mma
before the war. He had perfected scne.nGI aI
to accomplish this result and with "ene''''
,'irant's assistance
ITS SUCCESS WAS ASSURED.
le would by proclamation direct .n;r tns r1n1 fIl
States to send to Washington Dne,s .;.,ss. he he
atota ef Senators and Representative tom m
had Assurances from enough members f''id ir"l,
the North who united with them ,osst ~T Il
make a quorum OF one house. ,ed az 'e he