Warren sheaf., 1899-08-31
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
: GEN. GRANTS ASTONISHING >
y EXPERIENCE
by Langdon I4aine.

EXPERIENCE, G7
4 BY Langdon I4aine. 4
I ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
In TEE spring of 1880 Gen. Grant,
after his memorable tour Of the
\ world, visited the southern states and
A brought his triumphal journey to a.
close at New Orleans, where he re-
manned week or two. There accom-
panied the general to what proved to be
perhaps the most exciting demonstra-
ton Of negroes Of those times, a dem
onstration which Gen. Grant called his
most astonishing experience.
A new generation was entering on
the scene, and, although the men who
had been conspicuous in the service of
the confederate states had cordially
welcomed Grant to the defeated sec
S ton, there were people in the Crescent
City who could not bring themselves
to the point of taking part in the street
demonstration in honor of the hero Of
the union army. Many of those who se-
cluded themselves during the public
Grant at the residence Of his cousin.
AS the hour for the arrival Of the
Grant party approached the streets
5sWarmed with black faces, shining with
enthusiasm and hope. Somehow they
conceived the idea that Grant had
come, not as a private citizen, but as
their Moses, to restore their political
supremacy. They were more serious
and less boisterous than on other pub
lie occasions, when their loud laugh
distinguishes the southern from the
quiet northern gathering. The escort
y of the Grant party was first company
of United States regulars, then post of
the Grand Army Of the Republic, and
civic society or two. It was not impress
sive as a procession, but as it came
lthe fervor of the infammable negro ma
ture reached almost the limit, and
when it passed the black mass fell in
behind, filing the street from curb to
curb. ia
The general was disposed to be as
quietsa possible without appearing dis
courteous. When first asked to receive
q delegation Of colored preachers Of the
Northern Methodist church he pleaded
fatigue. After some persuasion he con-
sented to meet them at Wesley chapel,
with the stipulation that there should
.'ibe no general negro demonstration. 81
had enough of that at Jacksonville
the general explained.
was asked to go with the general,
and Rev. DR.. Hartzell, northern
preacher then in charge of the church
affairs in the city. A northern neWspa
per man, and a veteran northern SOL
dier,I had no local political ambition
ito be injured, and had a lively curiosity
ito see the negroes.
1t was a long drive, and on the way
Grant was more than ordinarily com
municative, which is saying a good deal.
1t was and stills a popular fallacy that
he was not in all situations reticent
man. However self-contained he may
have been in an official city, social
ly he was genial, cheerful and chatty.
AS he lighted cigar, the carriage being
open, he said: <
ST have the reputation of being "a
hard smoker. There are people who
say my portraits are bad because there
isn't a cigar in the mouth. That's a
SANDER. I never in my life smoked to
excess, and now consume only three
or four cigars day / am asloW smok-
er, and cigar lasts me q good while"
When we were within about two
i blocks of the church we were shocked
by the spectacle of a solid mass of black
humanity. AS they caught sight of the
approaching carriage they made a fu-
rious rush, and with yells surrounded
US. The two or three policemen in the
eighborhood did all they could, but
were powerless.
''Let uS get out of this, Il exclaimed
the general. Driver, turn about and
go back q
s5i 1t was useless, however, to make the
attempt. It was the determined pur-
pose of every man, woman and child
in the mass to shake Grants hand or
touch his person. The air was filed
with cries. A tall old negro forced
himself between the wheels, regardless
of a busy club, and reached Grants
hand, crushing a new silk hat as he did
3it. Then, straig htening himself to his
full height, with hands above his bare
head, he shouted: !: ssBress Gawd! I done
shuck his ham
For nearly half an hour the scene was
beyond graphic portrayal. These ig-
norant people, long deserted and neg
lected by their frightened leaders, sim
cerely believed Grant had come to New
Orleans for the sole purpose Of ssleadin'
us out OBJ de wilderness as hey shout
ed. Many Of them did not know Grants
face, and SO we three were almost equal
the object OF admiration.
A path was made at last from the car
Tiage TO the. door, but at every step
we were obstructed and crushed by the
pressure of the crowd. Inside the chap
4el door we found matters hardly bet
ter. It took q long ttine tosreach the
altar. Enperor w lila an old ne
gro, had charge Of the reception He
stood on the plat form, his face beaming