The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-17
GRANT IN PEACE.

NO. Xxx.
Grant in Society.

one His early life he has himself described as
hat Of plain people at the West fifty or sixty
years age. He received, however, the al
vantages of West Point and its assocla-
tions, and officers of the army in those days
were considered eligible to any company. at
ST. Louis he married into family that
held itself as high as any in the old
society Of that semi Southern city; society
which was undoubtedly, at that time, pro-
yincial and narrow its members had seen or
known little of any world but their own, but
the feeling they had that their position was
equal 70 any gave them certain distinction of
bearing that nothing else could confer. 1t was
not highly educated society, and resembled in
some points the squirearchy Of England that
Macaulay describes; elevated in feeling though
contracted in requirement, and if over-cautious
of its own Consequence, nevertheless never meet
ing anybody of more consequence than its own
members. In this circle Grant obtained
knowledge of the sentiments and preludices that
are by some supposed 20 be characteristic only
of gentlemen. Many Of these he shared by
nature, others he acquired, .ut others he always
repudiateS.
He was, as all the world knows. simple in
ouainted with many of the etiquettes and
quirements Of an artificial society: not few
Of which, indeed, he disliked after he became
familiar wi.h them Forms and ceremonies
wore always distasteful to him, and though he
complied with such as his position rendered I'M
avoidabe, he escaped from them in private as
speedily and effectuay as possible. But the
very simplicity of taste and feeling the plain
ness Of manner that he preserved in his extra
ordinary elevation, were proof of native gen
uine refinement
When he arrived at the capital to receive the
command Of the armies he was shy and reserved
in general company; of course never timid, but
he was aware Of his deficiencies in social knowl-
edge and the consciousness made him con-
strained and sometimes awkward under the hon
ors and CONGRATULATIONS that were heaped upon
him But this awkvardness in the Conqueror
OF VcksbGrg had a certain charm. 1t indicated
an absence Of conceit, lack of pretense and a
modesty almost unexampled in a man OF his
achievements and showed how sweet and gentle
nature lay beneath the sterner qualities which
had wen his battles and his fame.
He always desired, however, to conform to the
requirements Of Whatever place he was called
upon to FIJI, and was now quite wiling to per
form his social duties l accompanied Mrs.
Grant when she made her first visit to the White
House. over which she was afterwards to pre-
side, and General Grant was greatly pleased to
have the visit paid. It was an afternoon recep
ton of Mrs. Lincolr's, and Lincoln himself was
present. The President had never met Mrs.
Grant before. and at the first he did not catch
her name ana was allowing her to pass with the
customary bow that every one receives; but re-
peated. Mrs. General Grant, Mr. President
and the tall unganly looked down upon
his visitor with infinite kindness beaming from
his ugly, historic face; then placed both his
hands on Mrs. Grants and welcomed her more
chan warmly lie asked about the General,
and himself presented her to Mrs Lin
coin. The mistress of the White House was also
gracious; she invited Mrs Grant to visit the
Conservatives, and desired mo to show them to
the lady who Yas destined herself 20 dispense
the courtesies of the Nation in the same execu-
tive chamber.
On our way out several great political women
seemed inclined to patronze the Western Geu-
erals wife not, Of course, Extensively. but still
they acted as they would hardly have behaved
among or toward themselves. But Mrs. Grant at
detected the suggestion of superiority in their
courtesies. aud asserted herself delcately and
skillfully. When they wanted to introduce fine
ladies to her in the Hobbies Of the White House,
she regretted that her carriage was waiting, but
would be happy TO receive the ladies at her
hotel; and when they offered seats in their boxes
at the play, evidently in order to be seen with
the wife of the General Of the Armies. she po
4ho Iox1I bad I'LL
cured for her. and for this she afterward Sc
lected her own company
Her influence, OF course. affected her great
husband. lie had constantly the suggestions of
woman VINO understood other women, and who
knew instincuvely what would be said of him and
to him, as we'll as what she wanted him TO say
and do in return. Naturally, she was anxious
about the appearance he made in what he called
.'society" He had been ushered all at once into
the most distinguished and exacting circles; he
would be watched and criticised as we'll as wei
coined and admired; and with feminine insight
she comprehended both the petty craft and the
important ambitions that undere so many of
the ceremonies Of oflical life at Washington as
we'll as in aristooratic capitals. When Grant
was over modest or willing to ler himself be
passed by, there was always the mentor to eau
ton, and urge and stimulate. and advise; and
sometimes the mentor was needed.
recall an instance in which I contended for
awhile against Mrs. Sprague, the daughter of
Chief Justice Chase. Everybody in Washing
ton, Cabinet ministers, foreign ENJOYS, Senators,
even the judges Of the Supreme Court, hurried
to call on General Grant after his brilliant sue
eesses in the war; the ordinary Washington Ell
quette was broken down for him. But the
Chief justice did not CALL He considered him
self the second person in the country, the next
after the President in position, under ordi-
nary circumstances he certainly would have
been. Besides this, he was an aspirapt
for tho presidency and unwilling to