The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-04-28

IF Grant were religious man hc
would be n Methodist or Presbyterian
but he frankly saws that he had no cspe.
cial religious training in early youth and
ne has not studied the subject sufficient
~ an lis later lie 10 form any opinion
as 10 what ho does believe. He believe
that there is "a God and a hereafter. but
he is not prepared to say that be believes
in the extreme position taken by most
Protcstauts. that the unconverted and
the Indifferent viii he ctcrnally torment
ed. If Grants position with reference
to religion coul be defined. il might de-
expressed a. "a condition Of indifference
lie doesn't apparently bother himself Ia
the least about the life hereafter seem
ingly being willing to take his chances
with the millions who have gone before
him. He has consequently not desired
10 talk upon the subject To- cicrgymen
and as vet no clergyman has called upon
him 70 offer or explain the consultations
Of belief in the Christian religion. The
only clergyman with whom Grant was
ever intimate was the Rev. j. T.. New
man. his old pastor in Washington. and
late his pastor in New York city.
LISA curious fact that this is the only
interview with him ever reported iu
which the subject was reii-ion none a.
his intimatcs in any rank Of life rcmem-
Der having heard him speak OF it. As &C.
general literature Lo was more COmmuui-
,ative. and expressed q calm confidence
in his own ability 10 write clearly Just
what he meant. Some amusing Incl
dents are related of the devices reported
by newspaper reporters to get views
from him. ia which they generally failed
but hr was most clcycrlv outmaneuvercd
i'm New York ON his return from his grand
tour lie had firmly pledged himself
not To say q word regarding tit trip, as
he desired John Russell Young to have
the benefit of his work The papers be
,ieged him two days in VAN; then one OF
them selected a young strategist who
had never failed lie went to the Fifth
Avenue hotel took the relic of a Wall
street man. established sort of footing
with the clerk and sent up his card; il
was honorcd and the daring young man
was soon i'm the generals room.
The old soldier was in full dress; Mrs
Gran, and some other ladies were pres
cnt The reception room was redOlent
with the perfumes of choice eXotics that
had been sent 10 the hero of Nicksburg
Tlr reporter babe him welcome home.
mas introduced 10 the ladies' and held
long chat with Gen. Grant, who unsus-
pcctingly gave succincI and interesting
account Of his voyage. The following
morning the daily came ont with clean
beat Of a column and three-quarters
II was used all over thecountry, and the
storm that burst over Gen Grants he0d
can De more easily imagined than dc
scribed lie had TO explain that he die
not suspect an interview. \ fen month
later there was a review and the reporte
vas introduced by Gen Shaler Gen
Grant recognized him. bat said nothing
in his hearing. To Gen. Shalcr. how
ever. hc told the whole story. and added
1t has been a wonder tO me ever sine,
how this young man could have made S,
much on. If 80 short q conversation. ano
without taking any notes keep so close
to the truth. You may depend upon it,
however. that have kept my eyes and
ears open since, and he will be a mighty
smart reporter who viii catch me nap
ping again