Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-13
General Grant.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch'

IL has been gratifying 10 me 70 note
that so many represcntatlye-lnen Oh the
South have shown such kind feelings
towards General Grant, notwithstand-
ing as President Of the United States
he did so many things he ought not to
have done. From what have seen IN
the newspapers, great many people,
Il would seem, are laboring under the
impression that the debt he owes MIR.
Vanderbilt-says about sl55, OOO-and
for which the latter has obtained
Judgment, is about the extent
of General Grants liabilities. From
the evidence Of his own son, there can
not be any sort of doubt but what Gen
eral Grant was general parter OF the
late banking firm Of Grant * Ward Tor
Ward & Grant,, and as that firm was
reported as having failed for millions OF
dollars, it must strike businessman
that the $50, 900 he owes Mr.. Wander
bilt is but, so to speak, drop IN the
bucket compared to his liabilities as
partner of the clearinghouse named.
If the debt due Mr.. Vanderbilt was paid
by General Grants friends, and which
he, think, does not want them to do,
what would prevent other judgments
being obtained against him? If l am
not mistaken as to General Grants
liability for the debts due by the
banking firm referred to, it is plain
that it is not Likely he, his
friends. or the United States Govern
ment, will ever raise the funds to pay in
full that Indebtedness. Considering all
that the country has done for General
Grant in the way Of honors, think he
has been fully paid in such way for all
the services he ever rendered the coun-
try. and hence | would be opposed to
Congress rcinstating him as head
captain Of our armies. On the
other hand, / would favor Congress
comforting on him yearly sum
fully equal to the pay of the position
named, and arrange such payment so
that no creditor Of his could ever (by
law get dollar of it. To put General
Grant over the heads Of Sheridan, Han
cock, and others, after he gave up the
high position he held in the army land
of his own choice, would not smack of
what was right and just. General
Grant ought to feel that the peo-
pie of the United States have already
layished on him more honors than was
every conferred on any other man,
Washington, possibly, excepted. | have
no sort of hesitation in saying that with
General Grant as the captain of our
armies | do not think it would prove
pleasant to Mr.. Cleveland or to the in
terests Of the Democratic party, which
party is, if | mistake not, disposed to
conduct the Government for the best in
terests Of the people. therefore favor
that Democrats in Congress will be swift
| to vote money land in proper way
and spirit so that General Grant may
be able to spend the balance Of his life
in such manner as becomes the high
places he has filled both in honor and in
the affections Of his countrymen. As a
Democrat | would be very slow in
putting him back in the army again.
and particularly as the country has just
voted against the manner things were
done under the Administrations of him
self and his successors. The honest,
square truth is, there is no doubt but
what General Grant has already re-
ceived full justice for all the services he
rendered. but it would be unbecoming
the people of the United States were they
not, in his present troubles, to
act with marked liberality towards
him. The people must feel that
whatever may be done for him by the
Government will be based on the lat
ter, whether General Grant chooses so
to acknowledge it or not. For one. |
am not willing to do others injustice in
order to be liberal to another. While
Mr.. Cleveland, | think, is man of too
| clear head as to wish to interfere
with what Congress may do, | cannot
but believe that it would be embarrass-
ing to him to have as his first lieutenant
gentleman who would have it in his
power q will not say he would do it) to
say to him - that ought to know, as |
was President of the United States for
two terms" The money would have
Congress to vote General Grant, being
an evidence of the affection felt for him
by all classes and parties of his coun-
trymen, ought not to be distasteful to
him. CAM.
We publish the above with pleasure !;
but we would add that General GRANT
is Of the age when he would, like Gene
raj SHERMAN, be retired upon pen
sion, even if he were now in office. The
proposition, as we understand it, is to
restore him to his former rank, and
thus enable him to live upon the pay of
retired General Of the Army.