New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-07-04

less to blame than the injudicious and -tempered
man whom Fate had placed at this critical moment
at the head of affairs. Human nature can hardly
be expected to resist such overtures his. to put
away the chance he offered of escaping the
penalties they had expected and obtaining the
prizes they had thought beyond their reach. None
the less the result.was lamentable, both then aud
afterward. All the long series of msfortunes and
dangers to the country that followed are directly
traceable to the influence action of one man.
He perverted the incnations and intentions OF the
South. and by reflex those of the North. He
converted good feeling and goodwill on both sides
into dscord. and precipitatec 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 intained by Grant. With
ont know edge thar II was his view his conduct
cannot be appreciated.
The President at last became il not reasonable
in intent yet unpatriotic in action. He fostered
spirit that engendcred massacre, and afterward
protected the eyil-doers. He spoke, both with
Grant p private and openly to the public as II the
Congress elected by the faithful 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 use OF bis
right TO command the army in way that awokf
suspicion in Grant, and although at this time be
committed no illegal act. and possibly uttered nc
word commanding or directly advocating such az
act. there can he no doubt that but for his know
edge Of Grants determination not to play into his
hands. lie would have attempted what tbosc who
had coponered would have considered treason
Grant frequently expressed this belief to those ID
his confidence.
Believing this Grant acted not only with moo
Grafton and hrmness but with tact which was
hardly usual IN him. but which circumstances
seemed to develop because 1t was supremacy
necessary He avoided offending. and he.never dis
obeyed the President There was still no open
rupture no appearance of difference before the
public; and at the very time when many at the
North suspected Grant of favorng the President
views. he was in reality doing, more than all the
country besides to thwart Johnson's designs. But
he thought it prudent not TO alarm or.p ovoke The
Nation by disclosing his fears This was, indeed
far ore than tact, it was political and patrlotic
wisdom.
And his course-throughout all these proceeding
was entirely his own. lie listenedto the advice OF
opnions or pers,asions of those who felt they had
a RI ht to offer either. but every decision was the
result of his own judgment. his own instinct o.
what was right. He seemed to me at. the time
greater than in any -emerl 1cy of the war, anc
when look back upon both crises now, remain o.
.his oririon stiu ADAM BADEAU.
During these contentious Congress created OF
rather revived the grade ofGeueral IN the Army fol
Grant. His nomination was announced to him by
the Secretary of War in the following letter;
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON CITY, July %. 1896
GENERAL: The President has signed the b'l
reviving the grade of General nave mace on
and laid your nomination before him. and it vii
he sent TO the senate this morning.
Yours truly. EDWIN NJ. STANTON.
LIEUTEyANr-GENERAL ULYSSES ). GRANT.