The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-08
Creswelrs "reminiscences of Grant.

WASHINGTON, April Bon. A. j. Cres-
well, who was Grants Postmaster General
for five years, in conversation yesterday, re.
called some interesting incidents which
came within his observation while MEM
Der of the Cabinet. General Grants great
characteristic, " said Mr.. Creswell, was his
sublime and unfinchipg courage. 1t was of
that kind that no impression could be made
upon 1t by opposition. He discharged his
duties always without selishness, never
stopping to consider how en- action
wanted to know was: What is Just? What
is Tight2 / remember an instance
of this kind. at the time, we
had postal treaty with Japan which gave
rs almost entire control OF the Japanese pos
tai service. When their relations grew
more intimate with Us, and with other ma.
lions, they desired to have charge of their
own service and took steps in that direction.
After the japanese Minister had talked with
me about treaty to that effect, l went to
Grant and laid the matter before him. 1
found that he bad but one idea, to do what
was right and Just toward Japan. 1
pointed out to him that il he should sign
such treaty we would be surrendering our
control of the japanese service and would
be subjected to severe criticisms, especially
on the Pacific coast. BIT isn't it rightp
was his reply; can there be any doubt bout
it| told him only wanted to advise him
of the consequences. He was satisfied that
the treaty was just and he signed it.
81 remember the time when he refused to
sign the bill, which appeared 10 be a defec.
ton from the course we had determined
upon, for the resumption of specie payments.
There was an immense pressure brought to
bear on Grant to sign the bill. Republicans
of prominence urged it, thinking the bill
would prove a satisfactory half way measure.
/ think Grants personal inclination was to
sign it Secretary Fish and myself were the
only ones in the Cabinet who opposed its ap-
prova. At the Cabinet meeting when it
was considered, Grant drew from his desk
paper and read il. 1t was message to Con-
grets, returning the bill without his sigma
ture. He said: L regret very much that
you should feel it yeur duty to pursue such
q course That isn't my view Of the mat
ter he replied; Il wanted TO do whst was
b, st and to test myself, so l wrote all could
in behalf of the bill, but it doesn't satisfy
me- And he refused to sign it. IL he had
signed, it would have caused Us unlimited
trouble.
Grant never lost his head When we
came SO near being engaged in q war with
Spain, on account OF the Virginius affair,
there was good deal of excitement at the
Cabinet meeting, and war with Spain was
imminent. Grant knew what war meant,
and by his GOODNESS and sound judgment
prevented il. He was assisted in this BIZ the
Spanish representative in this country, who
was naval officer. He, too, knew what
Sighting mesnt and these two really pre-.
vented war.
in circumstances where most men would
be apt to lose their heads on the field of bat
tie, for instance" continued Mr.. Creswell,
Grants mind seemed all the stronger aud
clesrer. Rswlins told me ones that in the
confusion OF the battlefield Grants orders
were more explicit and clearer than when
everything was quiet. he never seemed to
get confused, asked Grant once If, when