The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-27
had just closed, and that he was dealing with
those who had been the Nations enemies.

in him a political vision and compelled political
action. Both parties to the contest wanted to
use the prestige of his name; both laid their ar
euments before him and sought to secure his
support. The President was full of devices and
schemes not always creditable. He began by
trying to wheedle Grant He sent him constant
personal and familiar notes and cards-an
unusual courtesy, almost condescen-
sion. from a President. Often he ac-
companied these with slips from the Southern
newspapers, compimenting Grant on his mag
nanimity, and asserting that he was sure to sup
port the President in unfolding the rights of
the South" Some of these notes l preserved.
They show the intimate footing johnson desired
to maintain.
From the President
General U. 8. Grant-Present
''Will General Grant be kind enough to call as
he passes on his way home, or such other time
as may be most convenient. Sincerely.
ANDREW JOHNSON
81 would be pleased to see General Grant this
morning if he can conveniently call.
s'ANDREw JOHNSON"
Both of these arc in pencil; the former without
date, and the address on each is in the Presi
dents hand
Once when the difference between Congress
and the President was at its height Grant was
giving an evening party at his house, and tie
President came unlimited with his family and
remained an hour or two, an honor almost unex
ampled at that day when President neither Wis
tied nor attended evening parties. He stood by
the side of Grant and received the guests, and
the circumstance was heralded ALL over the
country as an indication of the cordial political
understanding between them.
In 1866 convention was held at Philadelphia
of those who supported Mr.. Johnsons views. 1t
was attended by many Southerners and North
erners who had opposed the war. as we'll as by
some who had fought for the Union, but who
now advocated measures less stringent than
Congress advised. A delegation was appointed
by this convention to proceed to Washington and
present resolutions of sympathy to tie Presi-
dent Late on the morning of their arrival,
johnson sent the following note to Grant:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
'WAsHINGToN, d. O., August Ii, 1856.
'Gen. o. s. Grant. Commanding. ETC.:
"General-The President presents his compli-
ments to you. and requests the pleasure OF your
presence at the reception at the Executive Man
sion of the committee from the recent conven-
ton at Philadelphia. which will take place to-
udy az VIZ vi oViVSn 'fttu etV"'ASoP~S''
s'R. Morrow.
''Brevet Colonel and Adjutant general"
Grant was still unwilling to take any definite
political position, such as his presence at the
reception would indicates but he felt himself
obliged to obey the summons OF the President.
He went to the White House intending to ex-
cuse himself. but the President had already
taken his place in the East ROOM and sent for
the General-in chief to join him there. Again
Grant thought that, without positive rude
ness he could not refuse. So he stood by
Johnson's side during the entire demonstration,
greatly to his own disgust and chagrin, and re-
turned to his headquarters afterwards full of
Indignation at the device by which he had been
entrapped and beginning to detest the policy of
the President, if for nothing else, because of his
petty maneuvecing.
These wlles continued. In August the Presi-
dent determined to make tour to Chicago by
way of New York and Buffalo and other cities,
and invited Grant to accompany him. sub
ordinate can hardly decline such an invitation
f rom the chief of the State. but Grant, who per-
ceived the object, offered repeated excuses
Mr.. Johnson however, continued to urge the
matter, and finally put the request as per-
sonal solicitation. Grant felt that it would be
indecorous any longer to object and accord
ingly accompanied the President. AS he
had anticipated, the tour was converted into
q political pilgrimage. At every point Mr..
johnson made speeches and received demonstra-
tons in favor Of his policy, while Grant was
dragged about an unwilling witness Of mani
festations which he disapproved. He kept him
self as much as possible in the background, and
refused absolutely to make any speeches.; but
his presence nevertheless proclaimed as
positive evidence of his adherence to the Pres-
dents policy. Finally, his disgust was so great
that he became half uawell, and pleading llness
left the party and returned to Washington in ad-
vance of the President.
He was not free from the peculiarties of ordi-
nary humanity; and this entire incident intens-
ded mis- growing dislike to the plans and proceed
ings of Andrew johnson. Grant, indeed, at this
time had a peculiar aversion to crooked WAYS
and diplomatic arts, an aversion, perhaps, more
manifest in the earlier part of his career than
afterward For although he himself always re-
manned direct-after mingling much with the
world he found artifice and craft so common that
the shock Of the discovery wore off, But
when he was new to them they affected
him most unfavorably, and the chicanery of
johnson disposed him in advance to dislike the
principles it was intended to aid. Thus, instead
of attracting, the President by his maneuvers,
actually repealed the straightforward and obsti-
nate soldier 1t was, however, not 80 much
Grants real concurrence MS the appearance Of it
before the world that Johnson nrohahly souoht.
and something of this he secured. Grant was
conscious of the unfair success and this very
consciousness made him more ready to take an
opposite stand.
Congress finally announced its plan of recon
struction, which was simply to undo what the
President had attempted and refuse admis-
sion to the Southern States until new basis of
representation was established. 1t did not in
sist on the enfranchisement of the blacks, but
declared that whenever the right to vote was