National Republican., 1886-08-26
GRANT. nroK. AND POLAND.
The Great Captain Had No Ear For
Music.

1t will surprise many persons to learn
that Gen. Grant was one Of those who have
no ear for music, and who never can dis
tingulsh one tune from another. This de-
ficiency was remarkable I'm the case OF the
great captain. There was scarcely a day
from his assignment TO the command OF
the armies Of the field until the close OF the
rebellion that Gen. Grant did not hear "hall
to the Chief' performed by one or more
brass bands, and yet TO the day Of his death
he was unable TO recognize that ancient air
Gen. Belknap relates an incident that shows
how absolutely deficient Gen. Grant was In
this particular.
In 1915 President Grant and several mem
bers Of his Cabinet attended the centennial
anniversary of the battle Of lexington
held at Boston. One of the features OF the
celebration was q procession OF Knights
1emplnr and other Masonic bodies, which
the President was to review. In riding
down the line each band, as the Presidents
carriage approached, struck up "llail to
the Chief" and continued to play this atr
until the Presidents party passed to the
company or lodge next on the left OF the
playing band, when that band would cease
| playing and the next would strike up the
| same tune. After three or four bands had
been passed, Grant said to Belknap, who
was seated in the carriage with hin,
"Wherever go a brass band is encountered.
/ IL luGIb - any luluE uOu y lht ~ 10 blhoo
band and this music seems 80 monotonous.
| What tune are they playing.n
"Mr. President" replied the Secretnry'of
| War, teach band as you approach strikes
up Hail to the Chief 1t is intended as
compliment to you. and l suggest that you
recognize this as each band is passed.
81 thought the air sounded familiar"
said the President, and thereafter, in passing
each band, he raised his hat In acknowledg-
ment Of the compliment paid him. At last
the end OF the line was reached, and the
President was driven toward his hotel. As
they left the procession and music behind,
said Grant, turning TO Belknap, al am glad
that is over, and that at last we are beyond
the din Of brass bands"
| When the Presidents carriage drew with
| In sight OF the hotel brass band stationed
| on the balcony over the main entrance
| struck up "lIall TO the Chief" After list.
| ening for brief period, Grant exclaimed
"Here is another brass band. Well, we
may console ourselves with the fact that
they are not giving us that same old tune we
have been having"
| SENATOR BECK AND "HoME, SWEET noMB.'
This recalls an incident witnessed at the
| United States military academy at West
| Point during the graduation exercises OF
| 1885. The last dress parade attended by
the graduating class takes place the evening
prior to the delivery of diplomas and the
final discharge OF the class as cadets. This
! last parade is always attended by large
number Of spectators, because the exercises
are different from those of all ether parades
and are exceedingly interesting. The band,
when directed to "beat of" plays "Home,
Sweet Homen before moving out to march
down the line; and, as they wheel, "Home,
Sweet Homen is finished with a flourish,
and "Auld Lang Syne' is given with pa
thetlc effect. This, in turn, Is followed by
"The Girl Left Behind Me-" In return
ing to their position in the right Of the
corps, the band plays the two airs last
named alternately, and, after regaining
their position, renders the entire air of
"IIomc, Sweet Homen with an effect that
no man who ever stood In the ranks OF the
corps Of cadets can forget, and that fingers
like all pleasant memories with spectators
who have witnessed a graduation dress
parade at the West Point academy.
In 1885 the congressional board OF vlsi-
tors consisted Of Senators Hawley aud Beck
and Representatives Blount, Mills, and
Kelley At the last parade these gentlemen
stood In the place reserved for them, on the
edge Of the parade ground and facing the
center OF the battalion. The alignment
having been accomplished TO the satisfac-
tlon Of the cadet adjutant, the band was
directed to "beat of, ~ and after the usual
preliminary roll and flourish the strains of
"Home, Sweet Home" iloated out over the
strings alike of cadets and spectators.
That is very fine" said Senator
Beck, in the positive manner he
so often exhibits In emitting sentences
Listening awhile longer Mr.. Beck repeated,
"That is very fine. What tune is that they
are playing" "Home, Sweet Home" re-
piled Senator Hawley, without removing his
eyes from the cadet corps. This seemed
too much for the credulity of the Kentucky
senator. Tossing his head, as is his manner
upon hearing statements with which he
does not agree, Mr.. Beck turned to Judge
Kelley with theln9uiry, Kelley, what tune
Judge Kelley. Beck looked a moment at
Judge Kelley, with an increduous smile
on his face, and said "You can't fool me
that way. l think | know Home, Sweet
Home when hear It," He could not be
convinced that the band was playing" Home,
Sweet Home.n
now JUDGE POLAND MISSED MANY DRINKS.
No member of Congress of recent years
was better. known to the galleries than
| Judge Poland, of Vermont. The blue
dress coat with brass buttons which he
always wore made him conspicuous among
his colleagues. He is above the average
stature; his features are as clear cut as a
cameo, with an expression Of severity that
masks his humor and good nature. His
general appearance, dignlhed bearing, and
| COhNCy tlO tuub uO le
one Of the most straightlaced of men.
Senator Blackburn tells a good story that
illustrates the manner Of man Judge Poland
is. Poland and Blackburn were members
OF the House during the forty eighth Con
gress. One day some friends Of Blackburn
while on the way to the "Congresstonal
to obtain liquid refreshment met the Ken
lucky member as he was passing across the
r ball Of the House and invited him to joir
5 them. "Walt minute,n said Blackburn
! 'until speak to Judge Poland, and vii
join you" "Brlng the judge with you,
|. said one OF the party. "Judge POLAND
Q never drinks,n said Blackburn. At thi
/ some OF his friends laughed, and one re
piled, "You don't know the man, ask hlu
to Join us.n Blackburn repaired to Po
lands seat, transacted his business, an(
then invited him to join the party. Polan(
accepted, much to the surprise and graft
n fcation of Blackburn, and as they wer
proceeding to Join the party who had pre-
ceded them Blackburn Informed the judg
: Of the conversation here related Poland
without changing his countenance, said
o 81 don't know why you should entertain
such an opinion OF me, and yet am no
surprised, as many men have heretofor
U acted upon the same belief, and IN conse
quence Of this erroneous belief | have los
! many good drinks In my time" From tina
time forward Poland never missed q drinl
when Blackburn and he were where drink
could be obtained.
GEN. NEWTON TO BE RETIRED.