The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-09-20
FOOLED HIS FATHER,
a STORY ILLUSTRATING GRANTS
STRONG SENSE OF HONOR.
The General Wanted to Do His Duty
without Hurting His Fathers
Feelings, and by Clever Little
Rusc Hc Succeeded Admirnr,ly.

Ahe UcherhA wanted to Do His Duty
Without Hurting His Fathers
Feelings, and by Clever Little
Rusc He Succeeded Admirably.
Great men frequently discover that
relatives arc not the most charming
things to have or cultivate after great
ness comes. We're it possible To in.
duce public men of the past and pres.
ent to reveal just what they thought
of their relatives the revelations might
furnish some most interesting silc
lights on certain famous careers.
TO Wa!polc is attri';uated the bitter
exclamation:
Relatives are tails to already over
loaded kites
This may be unwclcomc truth, since
history contains many instances where
cousins and aunts have proved treach-
erous stumbling blocks for ambitious
leaders.
General Grant was at Memphis in
command Of the army Of tho west, and
just before his elevation to the com.
mand Of all the armies Of the Union,
when he received word that his father
was about to make his headquarters Il
cisit.
The news did not please him. His
staff noticed his perturbation but pass
cd it by without comment One night
shortly before tho arrival of his sire
he sent for General DIckic, his chief of
cavalry. General Dlclsie afterwarl be-
came chief justice OF the supreme
court Of Illinois, and, strangely enough,
died at Atlantic City ON the same day
that Grant passed away Mt McGrcgor.
To Dicliic General Grant said:
II have sent for you as personal
friend. My father is coming to visit
me, and what have got to tell you
about that visit is not pleasing ~ M,
but something must be done Some of
the money sharks npi cotton specu.
lat0rs have gained an unwarrantable
influence over the old man, and he is
reaily coming do.gn here to use his in
duence over mo to gain fayOrs for
them. This cannot be done. l do not
wish to wound his feelings. 1 DO not
wish him to know that j understand
tho object Of his visit. have prepared
plan Of action which wish you to
aid me iii carrying OUT
General Dicklc understood the char
acter OF Grant ms few men did. He
promised his aid. General Grant then
said:
"You are relieved from all duty from
this time on until the departure Of my
father. The instant he arrives wish
you to take him to your tent and en-
tertain him there. Keep him tliero all
the time. Under no circumstances
allow him to be with me alone while
he Is here"
General Dlckie Immediately made
preparations for the old gentleman
and when he came received him with
open arms. He was very anxious to
see his son, but glad to takc Dickie's
headquarters FOR his own and pleased
with the cordiality displayed toward
him. As soon as he was settled he
made vigorous efforts to have per.
sonal Interview with his son, but some
thing always happened to prevent
Wherever he turned, Dickie was by
his side. General Grant called on him
daily, but never alone. If he went to
the generals quarters he always found
him occupied. II he tried to meet him
In Dickfe's tent Dickie was sure to be
around, and personal conversation was
an imDossibility.
AT the end of four or five days the
cd gentleman ~as very restless, but
there was nc chance FOR him 10 protest
Qnf3 nhnnnn 20 ~
ihan q public audience with his son.
For nearly ten days hc made the effort,
but failed, and then left for home, hap.
py as to the entertainment he had re-
ceived, but dismnyed at his inability to
see his son alone.
AS soon as lie was gone, Grant re-
stored General Dickic to cavalry duty,
but never referred asain 10 the pur-
pose of his fathers visit. General
Dickie told the story shortly before his
death to Chicago lawyer. but 1t has
never been printed until now.
In .semiDublic letter written by
General Grant after his retirement
from the presidency. there occurs the
lines:
Whatever mistakes l have made in
my public life, have never erred for
my own gain. What I Iayc done for
the republic has been from sense of
duty. and not with any thought as to
what 1t would profit me. Many un-
kind things have been said and writ
ten OF ME by those who least know
how I have been situated, but my acts
have been inspired by the highest
sense OF fealfy TO my country end so--
ernment." Timcs-Herald.