The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-09-17
Grant and the Artist.

Among the mass Of "reminiscences that ar,
now current about General Grant there ar,
none more interesting than those recounted b,
men who came into personal contact with hin
during the most trying periods Of his civil ant
military career. Shortly after he had been ap
pointed secretary of war under President John
son. William Edgar Marshall, the celebrated
artist who had painted the historical portraits
OF Wash ngton and Lincoln, was summoned t.
| Washington to make counterfeit present
ment' OF Grant to be added to Americas ar
collection of her illustrious men.
81 went to Washington" says Mr.. Marshall
with the impression in my mind that Genera
Grant was not great man in the sense tina
Lincoln and Washington were great. A small
studio was assigned me in the rear of the " al
Department, and here for four months every
day had an excellent opportunity to study
Grants characteristics, while he was giving
ME sittings. His face was not one that would
| impress the ordinary observer as having an,
remarkable traits of character about it. Usins
the artists acumen, | soon found that beneath
the stolid, quiet expression of his physiognomy
there were all the elements of a really great
man. He impressed me as ! became better ac
quainted with him as man of strong convic
| tions as one who never acted until he haC
counted all the cost. When he had once fairly
made up his mind that Ii was right for him tC
follow a certain course of action, the concu
sion became a duty and conviction. He EN-.
bodied in all his actions Davy Crockett's mot
to. BE sure you're right. then go ahead.
| When he said TO the enemy in the field, Il pro.
pose to move Immediately on your works.
feel sure that be had determined to do so after
! conscientious deliberation."
/ Mr.. Marshall says that the one phase OF
Grants character that impressed him more
strongly than all others was his kindly nature
Il have often seen him come into my studio
from the War Department and leave by the
back door TO avoid woundlng the feelings OF
some unfortunate person in distress by saving
No to bis appeals when it was imperative
! that he should do so.
Il don't mean by this that he would .hrk
his duty. He merely followed the generous
impulses of his heart by avoiding an act dis
tasteful to him and hurfful to his feelings On
one occasion a lady called to ask pardon for
her husband, who had been guilty of some
military offence. Grant came hurriediv into
my studio to avoid her. Mr.. Marshall he re-
marked TO me, 1T will pain me to say No to
that woman's appeals; but my duty demands
that | should do so. | have come in here to
get rid of the opportunities. In this way
hope She will realize for herself that her case is
hopeless, and cease appealing TO me. l dislike
very much to add to her sorrow, and so long as
! | can avoid being the direct cause of doing so
| shall be content
During the four months that | was with
General Grant," continued Mr.. Marshall, 81
never saw any evidence of the Incorporate
| habits with which he was often charged. He
was an nordinate smoker, to be sure His
cigars were always the strongest and the best
/ that he could procure. Occasionally when in
my studio he INDUCED in a pipe, and he told
me once that be liked smoke in that way
quite well as he did cigar. AS for drink
| ing liquor, | never saw him taste drop, al
! though | have occasionally offered it to him
| from my private store.
lone thing that pleased me very much in
Grant. character was the great affection he
at all times evinced for his family. Mrs. Grant
would often call for him at the war Depart
ment, and urge him to lay aside his work.
! Ulysses she would say. you are working too
/ hard. Come home with me and take some
rest. You need it badly Her loving requests
were always complied with. Taking her arm
they would 60 away together, happy in each
| others company.
The last conversation that had with Gen
eral Grant, Mr.. Marshall said In conclusion.
was in regard to his nomination for the
presidency of 1868. l asked him if he desired
the office, and he said, No. | do not. But |
have always held myself ready to serve the
American people In whatever capacity they
wanted me to do so. If il is their wish that |
shall be their President. | will not shirk the
responsibility His nomination and election
! followed shortly after.'
| The result of Mr.. Marshal's artistic relations
with General Grant were pleasantly recalled
just previous to his departure for Mt MEG regor,
| when he requested him to call at his home In
| SiXty-siXth street and bring with him engraved
copies of he portrait painted at the War De-
partment. Across the margin of one he wrote.
! This portrait meets my approval, as | regard
4 il the most faithful Of all | have seen
[. S. GRANT"