The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-04

did he realize what a wonderful success it was
to be. The manuscript was copied entirely
by hand before going to the printer. Col. Grant
saved everything connected with it, and every
scrap that the general wrote was carefully
preserved"
Had he any idea of the enormous amount
or money 1t would bring to his family?"
Il think not. He saw before he died that
1t would net them a fortune, but I don't be-
lieve ne ever supposed that 1t would pay them
more than $50, 900 or $50 900 at the most
did Grant care much for money?''
mo, 1 don't think he did," rc1 lied Mr..
Dawson. He certainly did not, al the ex-
pense of his conscience. told you once be-
fore, you may remember, how, during our
trip through Mexico. he refused an offer of
$l,OOO,OO0 to accept the presidency OF a gold
mining company, where his name would be
used to boom the stock. Still he admired
money makers, and it is strange how much
he thought of good business men, I really
believe that during his latter days he would
nave priced the reputation Of having been q
good business man higher than that of hav-
ing been great soldier. AS to money, he
spent 1t very freely. When he became presi-
dent he regarded the salary not as q per-
sonal matter for him to save what he could
of it. but as money given to him to uphold
the dignity of the office. He devoted his sal
airy to that end and, upon figuring up at the
end Of his first term, found that he had
spent $4,000 more than he received. This
made him more cautious during his second
tern and ! believe that when he left the
White house he found that he had saved a
little bit His trip around the world was
made by the Grant fund collected by his
friends. This amounted to something like
5000 600 more. This he used"
Tell me, Mr.. Dawson, did Mrs. Grant
realize what great man Grant was before
he died? You know 1t is said that many men
are never great to their wives nor their
valets.''
Eyes, she did, replied Mr. Dawson. 1T
believe the general was always a great man
| to her. She told me once, for instance how,
| during Lieut.. Grants courtship, a party Of
| officers we're calling at her Missouri home. A
| very. warm political discussion was going on
among them, but Gen. Grant sat quietly and
said nothing. When the discussion came to
no conclusion one of the men turned and ap-
pealed to Lieut.. Grant for his opinion. He
gave it in a few words overthrowing every
thing that had been said, and presenting the
subject in an entirely new light which was
so evidently the true one that every one
assented to it. After the party had left, Mrs.
Grant says, her mother remarked about Mr..
Grant, saying: That little man has great
deal in him. and 1t will be a surprise if
he does not astonish the world some day. -
You must have had some interesting
conversations with Grant, Mr.. Dawson. Tell
me, did he ever speak of how he felt in his
great battles. He must have realized the
enormous responsibility which rested upon
him. did he not?
Gen. Grant seldom talked Of himself" re-
piled Mr.. Dawson. but I asked him ques-
tons about such things at times. I remem-
Der one day when we're talking about the
campaign of the Wilderness 1 asked such a
question. 1t at this time, you know,
that he crossed the Rapidan to engage with
army that had always beaten his prede-
| cessor. l said to him: General, 1 should
have thought the responsibility Of those days
would have overpowered you. You knew
where you were going, and that the whole
cause of the Union rested upon your success
or failure?'
Gen. Grant acted as though this thought
had never come to him before He smoked
for several minutes putting out the smoke
as he wont to do when in deep refec-
ton. At last he said that he did not know
that the feeling Of his responsibility rested
very heavily upon him. Said he: Had
asked for the place Of commanding general
the weight Of my responsibility might have
been overpowering. But when / entered the
army I resolved never to ask for promotion,
but only to do what / was ordered to do to
the very best of my ability. l did not seek
that command 1t had been imposed upon me,
and all that had to do to do the very
best / could l knew that others had failed.
l knew that was liable to fail. But l did
not intend to fail If it was possible for me to
succeed. In any event I felt that | should
have the consciousness of knowing that
had done my best =
LOSS OF LIFE IN BATTLE.
fMr. Dawson, did Gen. Grant ever speak
of his regrets at the terrible loss Of life which
was caused by his campaigns?''
Yes, once" replied Mr.. Dawson. AT this