Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-10-21

'-- N"ouhNey VI. Oepe" mas Iurnlsheu
70 70 tne press the following open letter to Col.
F. ID. Grant:
NEW YORK, Oct ~, 1885.
NY Dear COLONEL
In answer to your request for particulars of
the conversation had with your father, and
10 "hich alluded IN speech before the
chhuoer OF commerce, the following Is my
oeSt tecoiiectlon: About four years ago |
SAT oesioe ben. Grant at dinner. There
were many courses, slowly served, and the
entertainment lasted several hours. We dis
cussed many matters suggested BY his travels
around the world and among other things he
said 10 me, that when In China Prince kung,
"ho " as regent ana ruler during tue MINOR
ity OF the Emperor, told him of their contro-
versy win japan when war was about to be
oeciareo' ana the Prince thought II would be
Iohs ana bloody one and asked General
Hraht II he would act as arbitrator. The
ueherai declined TOR want of time, but prin-
clpaily because he was a private person and
hau no power 10 enforce his decision. He
! suggested, however, the terms of compro-
mise. when IN Japan shortly after, the
MlKados ministers told their side
| OF the trouble and revealed the fact that sew
eral OF the European governments were act
ually stirring up strife on both sides, hoping
Tor dement, by war, the same request was
lhaoe 10 MIN on the part OF the Japaneze gov
| erhheht TO act as arbitrator and he again de-
| cHhed.
lie stated the substance of the compromise
ne mad ADVISED Tor emma. Tne two nations
adopted substantially the terms proposed by
zen. Grant and disastrous conflict was
averted. The conversation drfted into the
consideratlon of his relations with President
Andrew johnson. The narrative of this Pc
rlod was one OF the most graphic descriptions
10 winch ever listened, and it is unfortu
nate for history and posterity that it cannot
be preserved as 1t was told. | said in nv ad-
dress that Gen. Grant performed services TO
his country which were unwritten, quite as
important as any that were recorded, and
thlnk this narrative will bear me out. This
Is the substance OF the story: Johnson began
the day after the assassination of Lincoln to
loudly proclaim at all times and
places, with constant reiteration,
the shibboleth "treason is odious and must
be punished and the chief rebels shall be
hung To give effect TO this sentiment. as
soon as he was inaugurated he insisted upon
the United States court in Virginia finding
| indictments against all leading members of
the Confederacy. He also wanted the Off
GERS in the rebel army who had left the regu-
lar army to join the rebellion, to be summari-
y dealt with by court martial. These move
ments OF the President produced the greatest
CONSERVATION throughout the South. Con-
tederate leaders appealed to Grant to protect
them on the parole he had given. He saw
johnson on the subject only to be informed
that the President by the constitution
commander-in-chiet of the army and any
thing done by the commanding general on
the field was done subject to his approval or
rejection, and he rejected the terms Gen,
Grant urged that the rebels had surrendered
on these conditions, disbanded their organi-
cations, submitted to the situation and were
carrying out IN good faith their part of the
agreement and every consideration OF both
honor and expediency demanded equal good
faith on the part OF the government.
Any other course would have led to an end
less guerilla warfare conducted in country
admirably adapted for 1t by desperate and
| hopeless men, johnson obstlnatelv adhered
to his view and assumed the authority of
commander, when Grant fatty told him that
II there were to be any court martials one
must be called to try Gen. Grant first; that
he would by every means in his power pro
tect his parole and appeal to Congress and
the country,
In the matt called oy the attitude OF Gen.
drant, very remarkable change occurred
IN the views and potlcy OF President johnson
uen. drant discovered that the most frequent
ana la'oreu VISITORS at tue w mite House were
the men whom oohnson mad prescribed. In
the Uenerais opinion Johnsons loyalty was
subordinate II not entirely dependent
upon MS intense hatred OF the slave
holding oollgarchy. lie was poor white;
had oeen Journeyman tallor and, notwlth-
stanulng tne dlstinguisheu puollc position ne
hau heid, he couiu NOT preaK through the
class barrier anu was treated socially with
contempt by TINS proud arlstocracy. when
they plunged INTO reoellion he saw MS oppor-
tunity' he oeieVeu IN the power OF "rant
ana tha' the right time nau come when he
coula uefea' ms enemies cohnsca'e ther
property, Illuminate thelr prlae ana possibly
destroy them. ne absorbing amoi'ion ana
passion OF MS lie had oeen 10 oe received
ana treated as one OF them ny the oohgarchy,
Having lalieu III that' anu suHereu Insult ana
indlenity IN the ehort' ne became one OF the
most vihdieative OF tleh' ne sa" them ioiied
IN thelr reoeiiioh' uefeateu ana Impoverished
and no" ne wanted 10 XIII them' '" hiie ne
was devlsing means 10 overcome Ueh. uraht
resistance 70 TINS iast purpose the leaders OF
the ola ieudaiism caiied upon hiH' Ihey
admitted that their former treatment OF MN
Justlhed 1t. lhey sald thst IN ali ages ana
countries where caste distinctions existed
the conditions were Always posslole Nhicn
promoted men VINO had achleVed
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