The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-07-05
Anecdotes About Grant.

Anecdotes About Grant.
Many Of you remember the idolatry
with which Gen. Grant was worshipped
in 1865. Neither Napoleon in France
nor Caesar in old Rome could have
aroused more genuine enthusiasm than
that which followed the magnanimous
victor on his triumphal journey through
tho northwest. IIo visited Chicago
during tho great Sanitary Fair-an OK
hibition, the proceeds of which (s3OO,-
OOW were devoted TO the relief of
wounded soldiers. Multitudcs were
gathered from far and near to welcome
the great captain. With charctcrist-
ic motlesty he chose the quictcst ap-
proach to the exposition building.
There, as very small youngstcr, had
climbed high above the heads OF the
crowd to catch my first glimpse of tho
hero. AS always, impcrturbable. he
seemed To notice neither the thunders
OF artillery without nor tho dcafcning
huzzas within. The surging crowds
had no more apparent effect upon
him than sen waves or IL rOck-ribbed
coast So densely packed was the huge
structure that passage through tho
solid mass became impossible. When
safely seated OH the stand, vocifcrous
shouts of Grant! Grant," and cheer
upon cheer rolld up in clamorous uni
son. No response. Then again calls
of Grant. Grant" "Spccch, Specch!"
The reply as showed in the press of the
following morning, was: 'airant said
=" The uproar lasted Il good half
hour. but the General was dumb and
immovablc. Then voice called:
"Well. Grant, il you won't speak. make
Sherman do it" Grant thcreupon
rose, and was greeted with three times
three and II tiger. His calm utterancc
was simply: at is al inflcxiblc rule
OF mine never to exact of IL subordinate
what l am unwilling to undertake my
sclf'-a maxim worthy of the greatest
soldier. can recall but one other out
burst of applause as remarkable as
that which followed Grants words. IL
was evoked by poor Emory Storrs' re-
ference to the silent soldier in the con-
vention of 1880, when the maddcning
uproar that followed LASTED, by the clock
three-quarters Of an hour.
The tcnucity Of Gen. Grants MEN,
ory was extraordinary. 1t served him
better in winning friends than all the
tricks of demagogucs. He said little,
but saw and remembered everything
worth seeing. The compliment which
his recognition Of comparative strang-
ers implied was emphasized by his APP
parent reserve. often the result of diff
dcncc. Those who frequently met him
recall his hnbit of scanning people with
his penetrating gray eyes while their
attention was directed elsewhere.
Bishop Whipplc relates the most Won
derful instance OF Grants memory of
faces. Through his membership of Indi-
an commissions, and his effective mis-
siOnary work among the red men, the
saintly prelate was often brought in
social and official relations with the
president. On his return from the tour
around the world, at the reception
rendered him ut New York. Gen. Grant
invited the Bishop of Minnesota to re.
ccive with him. People by the thou
sand streamcd by, mostly unknown to
tho general.
One lady especially attracted his at
tcntion as she approached. General"
she said, "you do not remember me-"
'ics, madam, do; met you at mo
mcntous crisis in my life; wait. do not
tell me when,' and he paused to think:
then with flashing eye. us il echoes of
booming cannon stirred his soul: at
was just before the last engagement ut
Nicksburg, and prior to the surrender;
stopped you as you were hurrying
from the city rs l approached it on
foot. asked you some questions
which you answered in Il considerate
manner. betraying good breeding and
southern synpathies, but, not your
cause"
In public affairs women had but
slight il any. influence with President
Grant No kitchcn-cabinct figured in
either administration. His considcra-
tion and Kindness for the gcntlcr sex.
especially for those in need. was pro-
vcrbinl. by his direction many
widows and daughters Of confederate
leaders were kept in Office. lie treated
with chivalrous forbcarnnrc even those
among them who forgot all gratitude
i'll den0uncing theirbcncf;utors. Learn
ing while in Cairo that the eldest
daughter OF Robert +. Lee was there,
he went quietly and in n spirit OF
chivalry worthy of this land of gallan-
try to pay respects to the kinswoman
of the general whom he had vunquish-
cd but whom he had treated with
noblest generosity. During Grants
presidential term II fussy woman enter
ed IL train bound from Washington to
New York. The only other occupant
of the elaborate coach in which She
was seated was an unprctentious man,
who remained silently smoking at the
other end of the car. She requested
him in an impatient tone to desist
from smoking. ns IL wis offensive"
He Immediately opened the window
and threw away his cigar. When the
conductor had examined her ticket,
that official said: ''Mudan, this is the
private car of the President, who sits
yontlcr, and unless you have his con-
sent to remain. must ask you to take
IL chair in another coach. &C. l..
Bryan.