The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-08-15

to, catch a view of him in these letters
that would enlarge their estimate Of
him by adding to what was known
of other aspects of his character.
1t is safe to say hat the reputation
of the great general has not been en-
HANGED by the publication thus far of
his letters. 1sre is a distinct disap-
pointment, probably the result of too
high expectation. There is none of that
freedom from self-consciousnesS that
one expects in such communications.
He is still too much the Silent Man.
One finds little of Grant in them. He
is still the general and the president.
But it does not follow hat they are
without interest. They do not let light
in Upon some of the events of his life
thai one would like to see illumined;
but that innate integrity, that kept
his skirts unsmirched by the corrup-
ton that slimed the doorsteps of the
White house, shows in his account Of
the annulling of contracts for army
supplies in 1862. Seven years inter-
vene between this and the next one.
written in 1869, and hat shows hat
trait of standing by his friends that
brought him justly both praise and
blame. 1t is a virtue to be steadfast
TO frian6ShinS hI,t +Louo ~
care in their selection.
In May. 1872, he writes of the pending.
campaign and ,Greeley's nomination:
L predict that Greeley will not even
pc a candidate when the election
comes, a prediction barely missing
tuIhllment. Again, in August. he sized
up the situation with remarkable ac-
curacy. L do not often indulge in pre-
olctlons,' he says, "but 1 have a feel
ing that Greeley will not even be in
the field in November. If he is I do
not think he will carry a single North.
efn state. In the South I give him
tennessee and Texas, with Virginia
4"Ci 4oIIu, h6ulucKV
Georgia, Florida and Arkansas doubt-
ful, with the chances in our favor in
all of them except Maryland. Missouri
might also be added to the douhtf,,
states" Greeley carried Georgia.
Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri. Ten
nessee and Texas. The comment on
the nomination of Greeley might be
applied to a more recent movement.
1t was egged on by the Democrats.
the rank and file acting in good faith
until now the effect upon them is inst
what the leaders intended it should
be upon the Republicans; it is diyid-
ing their party"
One recalls the cry Of "Caesarism"
and the warnings of the coming Of
the Man on Horseback Of 1880, and
looks o'see if Grant was really will.
ing to be a third-term candidate or
not. 1t was charged that the trim
around h world was but a prepara-
ton, aimed to terminate simulta-
neously with the converting of the ma
AACI-
tlonal convention, browning the honors
accorded him everywhere, and sweep
ing the convention with a wave of
loyal enthusiasm. There is no evil
dence Of any such plan in the letters
put there is that which convinces that
Grant was willing to take the nomi-
nation. From Havana, in February.
1880, he writes tina 'all / want is tbat
the government rule shall remain In
the hands of those who saved the
Union" and hat he would much
rather any one of many I could mention,
should be president than that I SHOULD
nave it," but from Galveston, in the
following month, he writes rejecting
Washburn's suggestion that he author
lie some one to say that he would in
no event consent to being a candidate
after $780," because it would be mis-
construed: and, while asserting that If
was a matter Of supreme indiffer-
ence, and that he would prefer MANY
persons to himself for the Office. still
Il owe so much to the Union men of
he country that if they think my
chances are better for election than
for other probable candidates in case
I should decline, I cannot decline if the
nomination is rendered without seek
ing on my part" The letters will leave
upon the just admirers of Grant the
impression that his fame might hay4
been better left to rest with his
achievements in the field and, in let
tcrs, with his Memoirs"
VERY MUCH NEEDED.