The Portland daily press., 1885-04-03
Geo. w. Chiid's "Reminiscences of th'

ministration of the anodyne.
(Signed) J. Ell. DOUGLASS M. D.,
GEO. f. SHRADY, M. ID.
Geo. w. Chiid's "Reminiscences of she
Great Soldier.
PHILADELPHIA, April The North Ameri-
can publishes this morning the following inter
view with George w. Childs
The last time saw Gen. Grant was on the
4th OF last month, said MI. Chlds last night.
He realized that his life was drawing to close
but seemed to regard the approach of death
calmly and without the slightest fear He ex-
pressed the hope that he would be able to fin
ish his book before he died. While we we're
talking of the efforts of his friends to have
him placed on the retired list, he testified how
kindly he felt toward them and spoke of the
pleasure he felt at the kind remarks OF the
newspapers in advocating his retirement. He
was very much pleased with number of ed-
torials which appeared in the North American.
While We were chatting observed that it was
half-past II O'Clock, and the General said. II
suppose the Senate is adjourning now" just
then l received a telegram from Mr. Drexe,
stating that Gen. Grant had been placed on
the retired list. "There, General said /,
"read that" smile Of pleasure illumined
his countensnce, and for moment he appear
ed unable to speak. Mrs. Grant entered the
room and told her the news. With BEAM
ing face she cried out, "They have brought us
back our old commander" The scene was
very affecting. The General could hardly ex-
which had been paid to him. He bore not the
slightest ill-will toward shose who had opposed
the bill, for he is the most magnanimous man
l ever knew.
The greatest soldier that ever lived, he is as
kind and gentle as woman. He frequently
told me how much it panied him to be accused
of butchery. He said he was always overcome
By feeling of sadness before . battle, at the
thought that many poor fellow would never
return from the field.
He ia oanaroNs tO q fault and hoe osvor,
away fortune in charities. In this, as in
everything else, he was modest. The same
medesty that prevented him from asking
Tor an appointment or promotion, caused him
to maintain silence concerning his gifts to the
needy. I remember that when he was on one
OF his visits to me during his Presidency, q
great many people called here to ask favors of
him. Not caring to have him worried re-
fused admittance to all whom 1 suspected of
being on any errand of that kind One day
lady who lived in the same block, 10 fact only
few doors from my house, called and asked
to see him. "You may see her, General" said
laughing, 81 guess she is not after an ap-
pointmentn He came back in little while
appointment" / looked at him in astonish-
ment, and he explained that the lady wanted
him to transfer the sister-in-law of Edwin M.
Stanton, Lincoln's secretary of war, from the
MINT where she was then employed and where
the work was too hard for her, to the treasury
department. Ho requested me to see the as
sistsnt United States treasurer in this city and
ask him to give her position. I did 80 and
the assistant treasurer told me he had no va
cancy: General Grants request is law, how
ever" said he, "and can make room for Mrs.
Stanton by removing a lady who has no need
for position here" This was done and some
tlmeSafterwards met SON of Mr.. Stanton
the latter was dead at the time-Vho thanked
me for getting his aunt the appointment
General Grant appointed her." said T. "Oh,
no. said hA NHanarq1 Grant himaalf fold
me that yon had got the appointment for her."
This is a characteristic of the General, who is
continually doing good and giving others the
credit.
was at Ocean Grove. Dick 0glesby, governor
Of Illinois, was with him, and Dick told me
that when the cheers of 10000 people rang out
at the sight of the old hero, he turned around
and saw tears coursing slowly down the Gener-
ais cheeks. MIR. Childs then produced the
manuscript of Gen. Grants speech, delivered
ct the opening of the Centennial Exhibition.
1t is handsomely bound iD morocco, with fly
leaves OF silk. The manuscript was written
clearly, having but few erasures, and was cor
rected here and there in lead pencil.
Resolutions of Sympathy.
at the afternoon session of the New York
East Conference, resolution was passed ex-
pressing the sorrow of the conference because
OF the dangerous illness of Gen. Grant, and
conveying the sympathy Of the gathering to
his family After the passage Of the resolu-
tion, DR.. Roach Of Brooklyn, read letter
from Rev. DR.. Newman, asking the conference
to offer special prayer for Gen. Grant, which
was done.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, April 2.-At the meet
ing of the Southern Press Association today
the following resolution was adopted unani-
mously:
Resolved, That this association expresses its deep
sorrow at the received of the critical condf-
the distinguished sufferer and his family