Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-17
PROMINENT MEMS SONS.
Are BOYS "A Solace or u Sorrow
Fathers Disappointed.
Eron a. CAieaqo DliIN Ne1rs.

family mas no oOSS Ih"C uS "VHiu VV"S'-
ioss rive great deal to have one. He Is
rretty ant to be pitied, too, by his ac-
nusjntances for the unwil!ness of nature
"a supply what he must 80 greatly desire.
# is taken for granted that he VINO has
achieved reputation or wealth, or won an
bonored place in any walk, must want a
son TO perpetuate his name, to whom he
oan transfer what goods or fame or for
tune he may have acquired. The con-
cusion is natural enough, but the wish
ia not always felt. l remember an Illus
trious New Yorker saying, in response to
friend who had expressed regret that he
ha no boy, II am very glad That l have
none How do | know but he would have
inf me to shameW He might have been
rafecting on the many unworthy sons OF
distinguished sires whom he had known,
snd miqot have felt how much better 1t Is
+, he sonless than TO be the father OF sons
that nobody can respect. If so, he
smoke rather i'll sadness OF truth than in
bitterness of spirit, through observation
instead OF imagination, stimulated by
hope.
Ietus glance at some of the noted New
Workers, dead and living, and see how
desting as we call it has treated them in
respect OF posterity. There are the sons
of the American hero, the great soldier
whom the nation still mourns-three OF
them They are respectable; no fault is
10 be found with them; but they are not
such sons as one might expect Gen. Grant
20 have had. Nevertheless il must be adj
mitted that, inasmuch as they are honest,
intelligent, well-behayed, though without
any special ability, they are better than
- ,, Of a
all succeed d in marrying the daughters
of rich citizens while their fathers. star
was in the zenith. They may not deserve
any credit for that; perhaps 1t is not
very proud achievement. But, since they
have shown no capacity to make money
themselves, their getting it through
matrimony may be regarded as an indlca-
ton of prudence. Tney have been UNI
Justly censured for inducing their father
to 20 into business with Frederick Ward,
who had deceived them, as he deceived
the general. Indeed, he deceived every
bOdy, himself, perhaps, included. No
theory vet advanced has fully explained
his rascality. There must be some defect
in his mind as we'll as in his morals. The
sons scarcely have any more practically
and clearer comprehension OF the mys-
teries OF business than the General him
self mad. They were all, with a fellow OF
Wards astuteness, like clay in the hands
of the potter, and he nodded them to their
ruin. Grant, always devoted TO his family,
loved his boys, and had probably higher
idea of their talents than the puDnc mas
been able to share.
The son of Gen. William T. Sherman,
who is soon to become Il Manhattanese,
has, as every body knows, joined the order
of Jesuits. Wnicn must lie very bitter to
his father, very liberal on theological
questions, but by no means inclined to
the church of Rome. The General does
not speak of this to any one, but he un-
quesuonably feels it deeply. he was
deeply attached to his boy; was extremely
proud OF HIM, and planned totally differ
ent future for him than the one he has
chosen. Sherman, his friends say, has no
sympathy witn ecclesiasticism of any
kind. 1t was the Influence of mis- wife, a
bigOted Catholic, even an ultramontanst.
that decided the young mans career. To
a man Of the Generals intense nature it
is easy 10 understand how such step
must affect him, with what I'M
quiet memories 1t must haunt him for
eyermOre.
Gen. W. S. Hancock, the model soldier
and gentleman, survived his only son, in
whose future ne mad latin that might
not have been justified.
highest promise. Those who saw much
of the little fellow considered him a
genius, and when he died a shadow tell on
the great journalists heart that was never
lifted.
Thurlow Weed, one of the kindest of
men, VINO passed his life doing good, who,
though politician, was KIND of saint in
practical beneYolence, never had son.
i be had been so favored he would have
cherished him as pearl beyond price.
% his daughter Harriet he lavished tue
whole wealth Of his affection.
William Cullen Bry ant, who often
wished ne had son 10 succeed him on the
Evening Post, was never SO -gratified.
His only children are two daughters, Mrs.
Parke Goodwin, and a IN alden, still living
and much esteemed for her many amiable
qualities.
When the founder of the Herald died
be established new order Of journalism
and was a genius in his way, often q bad
Way-many persons predicted that his
sou would not be able to conduct the
paper be had inherited. He has ial5ltied
those predictions thus far. Although EN-
tIrely inferior to his father, unlike him,
indeed, in every respect, he has shown
Newspaper capacity, especially in the line
OF enterprise. No great amount OF capa-
city Is, perhaps required, to carry on
paper with so much capital and with such
prestige as the Herald has. But still Il
steady head and 1rm hand are needed to
prevent mistakes that might prove fatal.
me present Bennett 10, AS all are aware,
uecidedly cratic; the ntluences-mainly
tOToad-to which he is exposed are by no
means wholesome, and added years do not
cure him of his Irregularities and VHga-
tes. Now about 40, he should ere this
nave settled down, If he ever intends TO.
as he Is not married, nor likely to be,
uere are no direct heirs to the Journal
Nue property. He has been engaged Two
Wlnree times; but his ranking suspicion,
uot without basis, that he was con-
Guoially acceptable for his money rather
.uan Tor himself, has prompted him to
uIeak the engagements. He Is constitu-
HohaIIy suspicious, and this trait keeps
lIu and his associates and employees in
CONSTANT trouble. His sister, Mrs. Isaac
heL Jr., is his only near relative, and 1t
j. nlgnly probable that, il she survive
yer brother, she Will fall heir to the
us founder was extremely anxious
.l@1 MA son should marry early and
la' there should always be Il James
rWuon Bennett to control the newspaper
~ 'le prosperity of which he devoted his
d ,e' very few OF the things the son has
,tnU"e would have been countenanced by
c cIe Iather, who was always "a social re-
5S,uee ana skeptic and despiser of
sauul"hltY. He mad no principle, in the
tsvuSe OF convection, but he was conven-
oo.oinaiIy moral man, having none of tue
= o. atata trrf.r RN ~ N