The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-03
GRANT IN PEACE.
Mo-. XVIII.
Presidents Elect.


MED BY his family and three staff officers, OF
whom was one There had been threats Of as
sassination, and l had opened several letters
that contained warnings of this danger, but
Grant took no precautions and made no change
in his plans, though his route was known in ad
vance. The aids-de camp were armed, but this
was unknown to him.
Twice when l had been travelling with Grant
attempts were made to take his life. In North
Carolina, on his return from the surrender of
Johnston to Sherman, the train on which
he was journeying was thrown from the rails
under circumstances that left little doubt of
the design. There was no one in the single car
but the Union general-in.c chief and his party of
two or three officers, and If some bitter and dis
appointed spirit out of all the millions of the
South had taken this method to avenge the lost
cause it would hardly have been extraordinary,
and certainly not unprecedented. At another
time soon after the war, Grant was passing
through southern Indiana. region where the
rancor during the Rebellion had been almost
fercer than in the field. and as those who in
dulged it did not fight, but only talked, they
cherished their hatred when the war was ended
unlike most of the men who split their blood
for the cause they preferred
It was night and we were on a special train.
again in single car. Again there was no one
in the party but Grant with two of his staff,
q servant and the officers Of the road. We
were moving at rapid rate. and about midnight
arrived at bridge, at least an eighth OF mile
in length, and that crossed a stream seventy
or eighty feet below The night was dark, and
switch had been left open at the approach to
the bridge, while stones were placed on the road
in advance The train was, of course, thrown
of the rails, but the impetus was sufficient to
carry us across the bridge, and into narrow
cut beyond, before the car was overturned.
The banks of the cut prevented a seri-
GUS fall and the speed of the engine
had been checked. but Grant was more
disturbed than / often saw HMM an emergency.
The car was violently shaken, and he left his
seat aud went to the door before the motion
ceased No one was injured, but had the over
turn occurred twenty seconds sooner the train
must have been precipitated into the river. The
ear was too much damaged to proceed, but we
mounted the engine and in this way Travelled to
our destination through the night. There was
no doubt in the mind of any that the Interrupt
ton had been planned but it was thought wise
to say nothing on the subject, and the details of
the incident were not made public. Only one or
two miscreants had probably been concerned in
the attempt, and there was no reason to cast
odium on whole region or to arouse the indig-
nation of the country, which was hardly yet APP
peased since the murder OF Lincoln. Grant him
self enjoined silence in regard to the circum-
stance, and his companions were very willing to
comply, for crime is contagious, and to announce
one attempt like this is to suggest another.
There was little change in Grants outward
demeanor after the election. He was as simple
as ever, though somewhat more reserved. l
fancied saw the shadow of his coming RESPONSE
bility and that it depressed him. On his arrival
at Washington he was at once beset with appli-
cations for office, and advice for his own be-
havior and policy. One of his acquaintance. a
Mr.. Corbyn, who afterward became his brother
in-law wrote out an inaugural address for him
in full and brought it to him in my presence.
AS soon as Corbyn left the room Grant handed
the paper to me and told me to seal it up. and be
sure it was not read by any human being till
after the 4th of March He never knew the
contents. and never read more than the first
line; 'Fellow-citzens. I appear before you at
this time"
There were more than six hundred letters
waiting for him in Washington. all of which I
opened newspaper correspondent came in
and saw me at this task, and the next week
there was a caricature of ''the man that opens
the letters" sitting behind heap of rejected APP
plcations as high as the table, this part of the
fafi pnf al Grap
rected me to show him no letters that asked for
Office He always had an idea that the man
who sought place was unfit for it; that the
place should seek the man; notion that in his
case might have been correct, for he lacked or
binary ambition and yet possessed great facul-
ties; but most people will consider that he was
exceptional in this popularity as in so many
others
Some of the applications, however, came
from people of much consequence, or from
friends of such degree Of intimacy personal
or political, that notwithstanding his injunction
did not always feel at liberty to withhold
them, and he tactly admitted that was right
Among the aspirants was Henry Wilson, then
Senator from Massachusetts,, and afterward
Vice president who set forth his desires and
qualifications for the position of Secretary of
War Grant did not answer the letter, and the
subject was never preached in conversation be-
tween them. Those who wanted foreign mis-
sions were numerous, and collectorships and
other lucrative posts were in great demand; but
no applicant received answer.
While he was at Gaena, Grant had said to
me that he thought Motley, the historian, would
make good Secretary Of State. Motley had
been Minister at Vienna, but was removed by
Johnson for criticising the reconstruction policy
of the administration too sharply, and great
sympathy was felt for him by Republicans.
Sumner, especially, was anxious that he should
be restored to the post he had lost. Motley cor
responded with me during the canvass, and sent
me copies of the speeches he made for Grant
These were shown TO Grant and they i'm nrassaa