The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-04

less to blame than the njudicious and li-tem-
pered man whom fate had placed, at this critical
moment, at the head Of affairs. Human nature
can hardly be expected to resist such overtures
as his, to put away the chance he offered OF es-
Gaping the penalties they had expected and OBJ
tanning the prizes they had thought be-
yond their reach None the less, the re-
suit was lamentable. both then and after
ward. All the long series of misfortunes and
dangers to the country that followed are di-
rectly traceable to the influence or action Of one
man. He perverted the inclnations and inten-
tons Of the South, and, by reflex. those of the
North. He converted good feeling and good
will on both sides into discord, and precipitated
disasters almost equal to those from which the
state had barely escaped-disasters whose full
effect is even yet not wholly past. This view OF
Johnson's conduct was thenceforth steadily
maintained by Grant Without knowledge that
it was his view, his conduct cannot be appre-
ciated
The President at last became. IL not treason
able in intent, yet unpatriotc in action. He fos-
tered spirit that engendered massacre, and
afterward protected the evil-doers. He spoke,
both with Grant in private and openly to the
States was an illegal body. He suggested to
mems minds that he might be plotting to allow
the Southerners to return in spite OF the
North. He made of his right to
command the army in a way that awoke
suspicion in Grant and although at this time ne
committed no illegal act, and possibly uttered
| no word commanding or directly advocating such
an act, there can DO no doubt that but for his
| knowledge of Grants determination not to play
into his hands, ne would have attempted what
those who had conquered would have considered
treason. Grant frequently expressed this belief
to those in his confidence.
Believing this, Grant acted not only with mod
Grafton and frmness, but with a tact which was
hardly usual in him, but which circumstances
seemed to develop because it was supremely nee
essary. He avoided offending and never dis
obeyed the President. There was stiE no open
rupture no appearance of difference before the
| public; and at the very time when many at the
| North suspected Grant of favoring the Presi-
| dents views, he was in reality doing more
than all the country besides 10 thwart Johnson's
designs. But he thought it prudent not to
alarm or provoke the Nation by disclosing his
fears This was, indeed, far more than tact, it
it VAS political and patriotic wisdom.
| And bis course throughout all these proceed
| ings was entirely his own. He listened to the
advice. or opinions, or persuasions of those who
felt they had right to offer either, but every
decision was the result of his own judgment, his
own instinct of what was right. He seemed to
me at the time greater than in any emergency
of the war. and when l look back upon both
crises now, l remain of the opinion still
ADAM BADEAU.
During these contentious Congress created or
rather revived the grade of general in the army
for Grant His nomination was announced to
him by the Secretary of War In the following
| letter:
s'WAR DEPARTMENT.,
WASHINGTON CITY July %, 1866.
"General-The President has signed the bill
| reviving the grade of general. have made out
| and laid your nomination before him, and it will
| be sent to the Senate this morning.
'sYours truly, EDWIN M. STANTON.
Lieutenant general Ulysses S. Grant"