The morning times., 1896-06-14

objections I have mentioned he con-
Cludes, land others not mentioned, l al
tered some OF the verses, and some /
omitted entirely. i added several, with the
purpose OF making the thought more Con-
nected and coherent than it originally was.
There seems to be little more sense, little
less absurdity, and just as much absurdity
in the version as printed in Songs of Toll
and Triumph "a volume issued by Putnam
& Sons, in 1888, and these verses are
quoted by Mr.. McCreery entire.
The authors recital of the circumstances
under which the poem affected his po-
litical future Is quite entertaining. He said
that In the fall of 1868, shortly after
Gen. Grants election to the Presidency,
the Union hero returned to his home in
Galena, Ill. Mr.. McCreery, by his own
admission. does not then appear to have
been reclining upon a bed Of roses. meta
phorically or otherwise, and at his sugges-
tion friend conferred with the President
elect In respect to the poets appointment
as official stenographer at the White House.
His friend was SO Jealous In his behalf
that the general was won over to some
expression in his favor, the only contin-
gency being his ability to fill the position.
In moment of indiscretion, however,
his friend went little too far. As proof
of the applicants superior merit. adapt
ability, and literary accomplishment the
poem was produced and read to the general.
POETRY GOOD, BUT
When he had conclude d the reading Nc
Creery's friend looked up for some express
sion of approval, but instead he realized
at once that he had made mistake.
Gen. Grants quiet comment was that
the poetry was doubtless very good-he
could not say, being no 1udse-but when
he assumed charge of the Presidential
office he should want about him men
who understood public business and
whose minds would be on their busi-
ness. His expe rience and observation had
taught him, he said, that man who was
good at making poetry was generally not
good for much of anything else.
Mr. McCreery was not appointed official
stenograpber to the President. What his
life might there after have been, had his
friend refrained from employing the poem
as an argument, be says, 1t is impossible
to conjecture.
The author of There is no Death was
born in Monroe county, N. Y, within a
short distance of Rochester. His father
was a Methodist minister, and he was ex-
pected to follow In the paternal footsteps.
As boy and man he endured many priva-
tions and hardships. receiving but limited
educational advantages, and was, besides,
of delicate health and frame.
He married, and later on, in the year
1873, removed with his family to Wash
ington, securing employment as a short
hand writer. Subsequently he was ap-
pointed to a clerkshtp in the Postoffice
Department, and succeeding this was trans
ferred to the Interior Department, where,
by successive promotions. he became as
sistant to the Attorney General Of the
United States, which position he now
holds.
Despite the ravages of time. Mr.. McCreery
is stiIl an active, energetic man, and amply
capable of successfully discharging the
duties of his position. TO which is brought
also intelligence and zeal and earnest de-
votion TO the public interests.