New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-03
SUNDAY EDITION.
OCTOBER ., 1886.

lts place.
This was not the only occasion when Grant
acted as il the responsibilities Of government
were very near General ROsccrans was nonl-
mated by Johnson rs Minister to Mexico abous
this time the appointment was known to be
very disagreeabe to Grant. il not puTp0sely
designed to be offensive to him. The animos-
ity Of Rosecrans after Grant removed him from
command ut Chattanooga had never ceased
He bad. like most Of the discarded generals,
joined the party that opposed the war. and had
supported johnson through all his tergiversa-
tons and alterations To appoint an impor-
tant Minister Immediately before the begin
ming Of a new administration would have been
under any circumstances discourteous and cx-
cepiona but when the Minister was openly
and personally hostile to the incoming Pros
ident the nomination appeared a studied in
suit.
Grant directed me TO write TO his personal
friend. Mr. Romero. who had long been Mex
lean Minister to the United States, but wsss
now in the Mexican Government was TO
address him not avowedy by Grants order.
but so that my authority could not be mis-
taken, and to state to Romero how distastefrI
the appointment Of Rosecrans was TO Grant. The
envoy thus would be unable in the short time
that he enjoyed his honors TO execute any I'M
portant diplomatic business, or TO thwart the
policy Of the incoming Government Grant
would probably not have taken this course but
for his profound interest in Mexican affairs.
an interest Of which the administration was
very wen aware. ne ndu d ucu-
mite policy in regard to Mexico, and to have
man appointed as Minister there who was Likely
to oppose in advance whatever he believed
were Grants views, was in Grants eyes
sufficient Justification for this Interference.
1t must be remembered too, that Grant had
been given by Congress an authority that made
him in many matters independent OF tho
President. Ii had been declared his duty 70
oppose the Presidents acts and policy. He
had seen Johnson tried for high crimes and
misdemeanors, and almost deposcd lie be-
hevcd that his own election was the condenl--
patton Of Johnson, the fiat of the people direct
ing him to undo much that Johnson had done.
Yet Johnson was endeav0ring TO carry meas
ures in regard both to England and Mexico
which he knew to be unacceptable TO the people
and offensive to the President they had chosen.
Now, when Grant found himself on the
threshold Of the highest place. the sensation OF
power. rs well as the consciousness OF his
own rights, was very strong. The acts ! have
described are evidence that he felt the impor.
lance of his position more fully than be showed
They were not known to any man about him
but myself, and were never revealed by ME
until now.
As the time approached when Grant was
TO enter upon his new functions those
who. were expecting place or recognition
Mt his hands became FESTIVE because ne
gave no intimation Of his purposes. Every
effort was made to obtain an insight
into. his plans, but without avail. He did not
disclose even to Rawlins or Washburne-who
mad bccn his trusted ntimatcs from the very
beginning Of his greatness-what he meant to
do for or with them. Henry j. Raymond, who
was warm and, Of course, an important sup
porter of Grant wrote to me begging for
hint OF the future Presidents policy, so that he
might be prepared to advocate il. ! read tho
letter to Grant, but he refused to furnish any
data for a reply Mr.. Greeley also, | was told
by those who should have known, would have
been very glad to he taken into Grants con-
iidcnce,, although he. made himself no appll-
cation like RaymOnds; but the same silence
was preserved toward him. The country was
full of comment on this reticcnce, and many
of Grants friends became anxious, not only
those who wanted place, but others from 2
genuine and patriotic concern. But Grans
kept every intention within his own breast
down to a very few days befOre his inaugara-
tiCn.
He was led TO this unusual course partly Ivy
bis military habits and experience, and partly,
no doubt by belief that his own Judgment
was better than that of any who could advise
him. He had been used in the army to APP
pointing commanders without consulting their
own wishes and to ordering movements with
out informing his interiors: and he kept up
the practice in civil life. Many of his Cabincs
Ministers were appointed before they them
selves were notified. One Of them told me
he felt as if he had been struck by lightning
when he heard of his own nomination. Mar
shall Jewell went to Washington once to urge
Mission. but was unsuccessful and on his re-
turn he learned that his own name had been
sent to the Senate for the post. Jewell was
afterward dismissed from the Cabinet IN the
morning: "Mr Jewell, | would like to re-
ceive your resignation ~; and that was tho
Minister'S first and only warning.
But besides this, Grant was undoubtedly ah
this time affected by the adulation that was
offered him. His head was as little turned a.
any mans who comes into the highest place
but he had been told for years of his great
ness, of his Judgment of his knowledge OF men,
All who approach Presidents or Presidents
elect say what they think will please them
and withhold what will dsplease all have
something to ask, if only recognition, for tho
recognition of Presidents is itself an honor
and most people want much more. Every ono
now was assuring Grant that the people re-
posed full confidence In him, that he was tho
sole arbitcr the judge of last resort ; and IN
some sort this was true but the unwilling
ness to ask or take any advice IN this untrled
and most difficult of all positions-in a man
the patronage or administering the affairs ct
civil northumberland a confidence in
himself almost unprecedented. This is tho
explanation Of the distance at which he kept
and personal friends. He alone was to ts
President, and he alone. he thought. was re-
spOnsibe.
But no man is so much above and beyond his
fellows as to be able to dispense entirely with
their aid. Had Grant called around him and
consulted able and experienced statesmen at
this uncture many misfortunes TO himself, his
friends, and to the country would doubtless
have been avoided He would not, perhaps.
have been obliged in second inaugural address
to admit tho mistakes he had made / will
Weld to none in regard for his memory or
admiration for his achievements, but the world
will more readily believe me when | recount
his excellences. if | do not hesitate to por-
tray his errors and this that | now point cut
was one Of the most conspicuous in his career.
the 4th of March. Grant wrote his inaugural
address was in the room. and when he had
finished he handed the paper to me- This
was before the return Of Rawllns from Con-
necticut. whittier he had gone sick and almost
beart-broken, because Grant withheld his con-
Gdence The address was written at the frYt