Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-04-01

One OF the most intimate friends OF Gen,
Grant was Gen. Edw. f. Beale, OF this city. For
years they have been inseparable and their
friendship has been lkened TO that OF Damon
and Pythias. When q STAR reporter called
upon Gen. Beale yesterday to learn a few per.
sonal characteristics OF the great hero. whose
life then hung in the balance, Gen. Beale was
busily engaged at his desk in his library, but he
kindly laid aside his pen TO reply to the re.
"Yes," said he, in answer to the reporter. eI
for the mast fteen Years Nv first acoua;n,aa
with him was not a personal one, however. ID
was through the news OF his victories at Don-
thing was cast In gloom. We had no rsilroada
nor telegraph, and all the previous news we had
t Ms m .la' - @ was gong AGAINST us We
When We heard OF Grants victories we
who could save his country. Later.
my acquaintance with General Grant soon
ntS ene enahP 10
press 1t. He was the greatest man / know OF
He fought and won battles, the like OF which
tory. Everybody is familiar with his military
and other public achievements but I'm his prfvafa
equal briiliancy. His three most prom,nens
and admiral traits were guielessness of charac.
ter, even temperament and great magnanims
ship with General Grant was of the most intis
mate nature. In all my daily companionship
Slsa Seara hi az home eane or nsroa nevs
which could not be repeated with proi
prieiy before room full of ladies.
His character was wholly pure and free from
guile. As TO the reports that he drank to ex-
cess ought not to refer, for they are too sense
less and untrue but will say that during the
whole period that have known him in riding To
and from my farm. near this city, two or three
times week, In dining at the same table, in
walking the streets of Paris until two O'Clock in
the morning for amusement, have never seen
him when he wasn't as clear-beaded as you and
1 are now. His even disposition was something
wonderful TO me- and j have seen him tried
almost beyond human endurance. He never
cursed ed and swore at people and he never lost
what he considered right. L saw him once
While ~ at a. white heat OF yexation I'm
personal preudices and wishes aside, and do
his duty without question. He had been abused
and Slandered 10y a certain person TO such an
extent that he could only recognize him as a
personal and bitter enemy. The question arose
whether VIII that person should be nominated q
circumstances, and said to General Grant,
What are You going TO do about it?'
name to the Senate. He has deserved his ans
pointmentby his services TO his country and
no bs PsTsSnal P, ieelipg G on my part shall prevent
and signed the nomination and IL was sent to
the Senate at once. He was generous in the ex.
requests made of him. L could tell you In.
stances of his great kindness of heart which
things 00 win SHOW Snow this iete teat 0u. as stS We
as great ones. When Gen. Grant has been q
visitor at my house children would overwhelm
him with requests for his autograph. Often
when We would return home late at night from
some reception, tired and sleepy, on this
foot or two high Mrs. Beaie would say: come.
general, it Is time to retire You are tired and
need rest. Don't stop to write in those books
Grant would reply. "I'll do it tonight. These
books belong To little children, and they will
stop for then Sn on n their way TO school 10 the
And he would write In every one. He had O
wonderful facility as a writer. His mind grasped
the whole subject, and he wrote without
hesitation. have seen him write for hours
without stopping for "A word. He made fewer
corrections in his writing than anyone I ever
knew. During his military experiences he had
learned that ii was his duty To do the engineer
ing and planning, and to leave the details TO his
leutenants. In this way he became accustomed
TO placing the most implicit confidence in those
near him, for he supposed they would do their
duty as & he would his 10 that contidence II
New York be attributed. can under.
stand sssIid,so why why ,,s.s some , people should
particularly military men. but can't under:
stand how man could deliberately plot TO ruin
him. Gen. Grant dearly loved Ferdinand
Ward. A son could not have been dearer to
him. He trusted him implicitly and how he
could return his love and confidence by plot
ting his ruin Is beyond my comprehension
-Gen. Grant was very fond of Washington, and
always looked forward 10 returning here. In,
deed, he was drawn TO New York only that he
in business there. That the people OF Washing.
ton were fond of Gen. Grant there is no doubt
walk down the avenue any day showed that.
Nothing but kindly greetings and friendly bows
on every side. Washington city should claim
and have Just as much individual ownership
in itas we have in the public buildings. This ID
the national center, and everything OF national
resting place for his remains could be found
than the center of the large circle south of the