The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-20
GRANT IN PEACE.


In shrink from the application of his own prin-
3cipass because they were carried further oy
s5Asrpan than he thought advisable The new
President was anxious to treat TRAITORS harsh
1ys he disliked the paroles that Grant
ha4 accorded to Lee and his soldiers. and
Etsps were soon taken, with his approval, to
Wrsrure the Indictment of Lee for treason.
s3sssral Lee at once appealed to General Grant
Lis frsr communication was verbal, and made
xhrsugh Mr.. Reverdy Johnson, who acted as the
legal adviser TO Lee; he came to see me to learn
Gszmt's feelings. 1 ascertained that Grant was
firm ia his determination to stand by his own
ssrms. and so informed Mr.. johnson. Grant,
however, thought that Lee should go through
tina form of applying for pardon, in order to ndi-
cake his complete submission. Lee, though en-
tisssy willing to make the application was anx-
rIOus to be assured in advance that
Grant would formally approve it. General
Or4 then in command in Richmond, made
ksssn this feeling of Lee to Grant, through
EsnsraI Ingalls,, and Grant directed me to as
lsurp Mr. Reverdy johnson of his readiness to
inacese Lees application favorably. According
1y. lee forwarded two papers of the same date,
sons IN application for pardon, in the prescribed
form. and the other statement of the proposed
linAicsment, and Of his own belief that he was
prEascted against such action by his parole.
GsBat Endorsed both of these documents, the
firs with an earnest recommendation that the
pArROn should be granted, the second with dis
tinzs declaration that the officers and men pa
rolss at Appomattox could not be tried for TIRE :
son 10 long as they observed the terms of their
pas8ses
Hs went in person about these papers to the
President But Andrew johnson was not sat
Esfsa He waited, ne said, Ito make treason
EdiDrs'
-'Ehen can these men be tried9" he asked.
Newer" said Grant, unless they violate their
paroles
TAs President still insisted. and his Attorney
general wrote an official letter opposing Grants
coptsntion. Finally Grant declared he would
rsslru his commission in the army unless the
terms he had granted were confirmed. l re-
na1sbsr well the day when this occurred. He
rssnned from the Cabinet chamber to his
sewB headquarters and described the interview.
/ WAN he recited his language, he added
AAnd will keep my word. will not stay in
the army if they break the pledges that made"
! Then the resolution of the President gave way,
for As found will more stubborn, or at least
mnfs potent with the people, than his own, and
orlars were issued to discontinue the proceed
lings against Lee.
/ The great antagonists met only once after the
ssasas at Appomattox Courthouse. 1t was in
Nag, 1869, soon after the first Inauguration of
0rzRt. Lee was in Washington about some
business connected with railroads, and thought
1t bis duty to call on the Presi-
lxiamk He was received in the Cabinet
AcAamber, with no one present but Mr.. Motley,
Iwhs had recently been appointed minister to
Engsand General Grant and Motley both de-
!. sCzzbed the interview to me. Motley said both
VISA were simple and dignifed, but he thought
there was q shade Of constraint in the manner Of
1ssA. who was indeed always inclined to be more
formal than the Northern general The former
6enEnies shook hands; Grant asked Lee to be
lzsAasd, and presented Motley. The interview
was short, and all that Grant could remember
WIS ahat when they spoke of building railroads
he said playfully to Lee:
-'xOu and I, General, have had moro to- do
zsish destroying railroads than building them. !"
Bss Lee refused to smile or to recognize the
Axasiasry. He went on gravely with the CONVEX
Esaipa, and no other reference was made to the
pAsk Lee soon arose, and the soldiers parted,
MOI % meet again until their mighty shades sa-
luasa each other in that region where conquer
Ors snd conquered alike lay down their arms.
Eeores of Southern officers besides Lee ap-
plisa TO Grant fo\ protection, and literally hun
@ixBas of civilians who wished to avail themselves
OF ara amnesty requested his favorable indorse-
mrRA 1t was my duty to examine these appli-
sczxisns and lay them before him; and seldom in
1issa was one refused. Gen. J. Kirby Smith, in
,rommand west of the Mississippi. did not sur
rsEasr with the other armies in rebellion, and
own when his forces yielded he fed to Mexico.
But kn month or two he wrote to Grant, ap-
riySag to be placed on the same footing with
hhns who had surrendered earlier. Grant
ahessupon obtained the assurance of the Pres-
~isns that if Smith would return and take the
prescribed oath, he should be treated exactly as
IF IN had surrendered and been paroled.
Es September, 1865 Alexander Stephens, the
Firspresident of the Southern Confederacy, ap-
peaea to General Grant from Fort Warren, in
Bosson Harbor. where he was imprisoned, ask.
Ing Tor his release on parole or bail, which was
soon afterward granted. In December of the
BaHns year Mrs. Jefferson Davi applied to Grant
by asaser, and in May, 1866, she went in person
70 Washington to ask his influence in procuring
n ramission Of some of the penalties imposed
upoD her husband, and Grant did use his influ-
enns. not indeed to obtain the release of
rhs prisoner, but TO mitigate the hardships of his
confinement Mrs. Davis's letter and messages
wsrs conveyed through me- the letter was full of
respect for the conqueror, Acknowledgements of
hissaemency, and touching appeals for further
mercy. "All know you ever. she said, ''as good
rs well as great. msrciful as well as brave. y
Make me-" she concluded. ''your respectful
friend"
Ths vndictive feeling of President johnson
coHstnued for months, and only Grants interpo-
Ritian preserved the good faith of the govern