The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-11
GENERAL ROBERT TOOMBs.
The Old Ex-Confederatc's High Opinion of
Grant-A Low One of jeff Davis.


Correspondence Atlanta Constitution.
Oars whar Ginrul Toombs lives" said an
African guide as he stopped in front of magnif-
cent mansion on of the finest streets in
America. A large flower yard, probably three
hundred feet.wde. spread out to view. Flower
beds, from width sprung the fairest leaves of
color and design, were arranged in crosses, dia
monds and stars. Appropriately placed were
young oaks and eyergreeDs In front of the
gate stoody a sturdy oak, tree suggestive of
approaching. Its branches hung low, giving
most pleasant shade. Situated about two hun
dred feet back was an old style mansion, reached
by bricked promenade, the veranda facing the
second story, which was reached by an easy
fight of steps. Beneath the veranda floor
there was magnificent display of potted flow
ers, showing the taste and skill of Mrs Commo-
dore Hunt, whose kind attentions softens the
absence of the late lamented Mrs. TOombs
Il am glad to see you," said the General, as ne
met your correspondent with the remark quoted
above, 'my life is lonesome. Ny darling wife,
who for fifty-three years shed light over my life,
is dead"
A few words brought up the subject of Grants
funeral.
Grant was the greatest soldier produced by
the war, was the somewhat unexpected remark
given by General Robert Tombs. General Lee
was very good engineer man Of fine family
a companionable gentleman. but he was not the
man to head revolutionary army"
Now that Grant is in his grave what is your
estimate of his characterF
He was simple minded kind hearted SOL
der, who had more luminosity against the
South than he had against the North. He was a
West Pointer" remarked the General. with
peculiar facial expression, land with West Point
ers the choice OF arms is profession into which
patriotism enters but little"
Did you ever have any personal relations
with Grant as PresidentW
con, yes" he replied "When the last days
of the war brought the thieving federals this way
thnxy al hooIya o~l II
not take a hundred thousand dollars for them
now if had them, and there was a time when
would not have taken half million for them
When Grant became President, / went to Wash
ington to endeavor to recover these papers
When l entered was received quite cordially,
and stated my errand. President Grant took
the greatest interest in the matter not only
assuring me that should have my papers re-
turned but detailing an efficient officer to aid
me in the search There is story behind this,
however, which partially accounted for Grants
interest IN me-"
The General then proceeded to tell the story,
which was quite interesting. The Toombs and
Crawford families had always been quite init
mate. Governor Crawford's sister had married
DR.. Dent, who afterwards died of yellow
fever in Augusta. During Mr.. Toombs's service
in the federal senate a young officer named
Grant had been courtmartaled in California for
paying out too much money, as Quartermaster
of the Fourth Regiment. to his brother officers.
John j. Crittenden, of Kentucky, approached
Senator Toombs to secure congressional relief
for the unfortunate captain He stated that
young Grant had married Miss julia the
daughter of Frederick Dent of Missouri. This
Dent, it was developed was a brother of the
gentleman in Augusta, and it was hoped that
Senator Toombs's interest # a constituent would
induce him to lend hand in saving the honor of
the Dent family.
1T was finally agreed" said Mr. Tombs" that
the military committee should report favorably
on the Grant case provided the young man
would obligate himself to resign Immediately on
the receipt of his commission. To this Young
Grant, whom l met in the corridor, readily as
sented. True to his word he resigned. and the
next time met him he was President of the
United States"
''Dd he refer to the matter9"
ooh, no; but he was exceedingly kind The
hour for holding the Cabinet meeting arrived
and arose to go, when Grant said:
Don't 60, General, would sooner talk to
you than to my Cabinet"
The conversation then drifted back into the
bloody days of the confederacy and the agitation
which led up to it.
1.-THE culminat ion of my political career" said
General Ioombs, was the secession agitation.
The statement that there existed among the
Southern senators in 1859 and 1860 a conspiracy
to force secession is untrue. There was no
conspiracy, understanding. The encroach-
ments of the Northern congressman upon the
reserved rights Of the States the incendary
agitation OF disturbing questions in that section
had alarmed the people of the Southern States
They elected men to Congress to represent their
views These men were representatives and
were only guilty of the same conspiracy if so
you choose to call it, as always exists between
constituent and representative. The question
OF secession came up from the people just in the
same shape as other questions 90 up, and con-
seguently, the Southern senators merely
presented the views of those whom they repre-
sented. They went home and addressed their
constituents upon that as they did upon all other
questions All my speeches were so made to
my constituents in Georgia, or in my place upon
the floor of the Senate. | always gave my
pressed speech nor spoke in riddles. My life
has been an open page which all men might
read.
''Was there ever a hope of success for the con-
federacy; and if so, why did it failW
There was no doubt of success answered
the General, arising from the reclining position
in which he had up to thu time lain. THE
South could have succeeded had it not been
confederacy was offered to me and declined
When South Carolina, with singular stupidity,
wrapped itself around Jefferson Davis Msss.
sippi was not so insane, but could not, out of
courtesy vote against her own citizen. Hence
Davis became President and West Point was
the school whence he drew his ideas. He had
graduated from that institution, and could never
be brought to realize the fact that mon in civil
life knew anything He filled the commands
with West Pointers, add he stuck to them
through every reverse. The martinez discipline
of that institution was the only reliance of Mr..
Davis"
Under whom could the confederacy have sue
ceeded!"
ALBERT Sidney Johnston was the one man
who could have certainly succeeded, but death
cut his career short. Joseph <. Johnston came
next. When Jefferson Davis, inspired by domes-
tic intrgues removed Johnston from the com.
mand of the Western army he killed the confed-
eracy. Davis was thoroughly incompetent. His
forte was review writing. He would have been
a successful magazine man, but in the hustle OF
practical, every day life he was utterly lost My
personal feeling for Mr.. Davis is of the kindest