The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-13
A LIFE OF GRANT.
John Russell Young Is Preparing It
Visit To Mexico.

Correspondence Philadelphia Times
John Russell Young IS still in Mexico.
where. with his private secretary. Ralph
Meeker, formerly OF the New York Herald.
ne went 10 gather material for a life OF
General Ulysses s. Grant He is now in
the City OF Mexico. and from there comes
the reeollections brought to aid the impress
sions made upon his mind by his first visit
to our great sister republic
Il am at present reviewing General
Grants busy life." he says land have come
to this beautiful. for 1t is beautiful country
to fulfill one part of my mission. 1 am
visiting the battle fields OF this republic.
where Grant fought. as a young lieuten-
ant, side by side with General Lee, General
Longstreet. Stonewall Jackson, General Nc
Clelian and many other men then only
subaltern officers. but who in later years
became famous commanders in one OF the
greatest wars Of modern times-our terrible
civil strife. 1t was against some OF them
that Ii became necessary for General Grant
to employ all his brilliant tactics and mas
for the patrsa that rlor aer s ysaTs 70 gam
which to-day carries as its proud motto
Pluribus Unum. l have visited the local
Molino del Rey. AT the time OF General
Grants visit here / was. through certain
family reasons, prevented from visiting this
General Grant to accompany him.
Ths l have always most deeply re-
GREETED !, .,, Grant , was greatly inter,
talking to him on the subject. He took
an intense interest in the future OF this
republic. He loved Mexico and to him the
mas so ably called IL, The most unhoiy war
OF modern times 1t seemed to be ever
ms aim 20 make reparation for this. Study
ms after life. He was always and at all
times prepared 10 befriend Mexico. Pres
,dent Diaz was to him an ideal man. often
nave 1 heard Grant speak of him. on
ton he told me one day that he REGARDED
Diaz as one OF the most distineulshed
ana able rulers In the world. Grant was
not a man given 10 enthusiasm. He was
quiet and transformations Individual In
my journey around the world / have he
said, met many. indeed. nearly all the ruiz
ers of the great countries Of the earth.
Yet / must confess that General Diaz and
the Mikado OF Japan have interested me
served in the Mexican war. IT was under =
sense OF absolute duty imposed upon the
west Point cadets by their oath of appoint
ment, and he would have resigned from the
army early but for the fear that If would
De deemed an act OF desertion. General
Srant. who as commander of our army had
Iought 10 the bitter end the most fearful
war OF this century, was then in comma nj
OF TWO million men. who made the movement
which deposed Macmillan and drove the
french from Mexico.
shortly after General Lees surrender
aittnougn In command OF a victorious army
wnich-so great was its discipline and
North Pole to Patagonia. Grant ordered his
most brilliant lieutenant. the iIlustrso,,s
sheridan, to the Rio Grande and would not
even grant him leave to remain for two or
three days and take part in the grand re-
view or his own troops after the war in
for sSMnlngcon; 80 great a regard had Grant
dlslnclinations he ordered him with a power
Iui army or picked men TO the frontier
WIN instructions that in the event of the
Archoukes French troops showing any
hesitation In evacuating Mexico at once TO
nave joined the army under Juarez and
have forcibly elected them. General Grants
strong convictions about Mexico were germ
mated from the impressions made upon him
when, as young officer he served in this
republic. One of his most intimate personal
friends during his administration at WASH
ington was the Mexican Minister there
Mr.. Manuel Romero Grants whole aim
IN la. n life seemed to be to compensate
Mexico Tor the great wrong which, I'm his
opinion. she had suffered at the hands OF
the snised States. when great and strong
FIR weaker than herself Ard IL was ever
Grants endeavor. both as general OF the
forces ano President OF the Republic to
make all possible atonement This would
account for his bitter and unrelenting hos
tility to the Emperor Macmillan, which
ultima ely ied TO the re-establishment OF the
OF purse" continues Mr. Young. my
stay in this country has been so brief that
visit ID either Texas or Mexico before. In
both I have been greatly impressed with
the great and ever developing resources
of the countries. / was especially sur
prize at the well-cultivated lands OF
Me- - The degree Of civilization attained
hele by the Indians impressed me greatly
My estimate OF this republic is very great,
and / see no reason why in few more
years Mexico. under the rule of president
Diaz, should not be the fitting depository
for the investment Of enormous quantities OF
United States money, and why, under this
honorable government, with the present
tenance of its Republican institutions, Mex
leo should not become one OF the richest
and most prosperous countries on the earth.
These after hurried trip. are my impress
sions."
These words may alter some American
views