The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1899-02-23
"Hobson's kissing experience" said

greeting TO him was like an uprising of
women were filed with thankfulness
and the multitudes that gathered about
Grant seemed intent on taking the most
popular man of the time in their arms.
There were mothers by the thousand
who had lost sons, wives who had lost
husbands, children who had lost ia
theirs. and old soldiers who had served
with him, all turning with the widest
demonstration of affection and pride
toward Grant
up TO that time no such crowds had
ever been seen in this country. Con-
trOlled by strong emotion, they were
not easily managed. Grant. never a
snowy man, stood before these great
aggregations of demonstrative human
ity amaZed-almost abashed-by the
manifestations of affection and devo-
tion. The fact that the people stood
in awe of the commanding General Of
all the armies restrained the great
crowds when the guards were power
less. There was nothing in Grants
manner or look or conduct or such oc-
casions to invite enthusiastic demon
stration. He seemed rather to discour-
age it. So far as his appearance went
he was unresponsive.
when the enthusiasm ragged in a
tumult about him, when men cheered,
when women held out their arms and
called his name, when children scream
ed in delight, he looked down on all
with an almost distressed expression
on his face. with an occasional look be-
hind him as though he contemplated
running away. His silent protest
against maning SO much of himself, the
absence Of all dramatic or show quail
ties in his makeup or his conduct, took
him closer and closer to the hearts of
the people. In those times he never
said a word except "Thank you" When
the people howled for speech he shook
his head. When they shouted at him
the most eStravagant utterances of
praise he simply looked at them in
but he was not unre-
sponsivc. He was simply a modest
man saying in effect to the people, L
am not worth it.
There were times when the crowd
broke through the line of Major Gener-
ais and Brigadier Generals and Colonels
about Grant and got hold of him. On
one occasion, after shaking hands with
thousands of people, the committee in
terfered and the General stepped back
a few PAGES so that the people. hoying
by in solid columns, would understand
that he was not to shake hands. As he
stood there. with his hands in his pock-
ets, little girl slipped through the
guard of honor about him. went up to
him in an awe-stricken. childish way.
took one hand out of his pocket. kissed
It, and put it back. She was going
away rs quietly as she had come when
the General, with a trembling of the
lips, caught her UP in his arms and
kissed her. Then the crowd poured
over the guard and on to him. and for
ten minutes the people had their way.
Another time. when school children
we're passing in a long procession. the
rs an act Of courtesy to the
ieneral. had him retire beyond the
each OF the little hands held out to
lin, and men who had commanded
in the army said brusquely to
he children. 'You can't shake hands
with the General: he Is tired But as
he high-schoOl girls came through one
little miss took off her glove and, look
nG straight into the Generals eyes.
leld out her hand. Looking into the
.irls eyes. understanding the look.
md. in answer to the pleading. the
General stepped down and took her
land. Instantly, with screams of de-
ighr. the girls were upon him and the
,uard Of Generals retired, admitting
heir defeat. This does not mean that
he girls kissed the General: they sim
'ly caught his hand, touched his shoul- |
Ter straps. reached forward in ecstatic !
lelight TO put their hands on his head.
nd then they went away satisfied.
When General Sherman came !
Trough the country ne was responsive |
o all the manifestations Of devotion
nd affection. 1t was his nature not !;
o hide his feeling. When he disliked |
man he showed it. When he was
'leased with the people the people |
new 1t: and SO 1t happened that wom-
n who were content to touch Grants |
lands gave Sherman kiss. After one |
Experience OF this kind Sherman hest !
ated TO dcpar. from the precedent es-
ablishcd. He knew what he was ex- ;
'ccted to do, and he did it.
When Grant and Farragut came
Trough the country with President |
ohnson and his Cabinet the General
nd the Admiral were the centers of /
interest. On one occasion Farragut,
Walking through the rOtunda of the
tate capitol at Columbus, was stopped
" 4 group Of women. One of them
sked. Are you Mr.. SewardT Farra-
ut. with a twinkle in his eyes, said
uickly, oh. no: | am much hand
omcr man than Seward. My name is
'arragut.' The elderly lady took his
and in both hers and said simply, L
IN so glad of this. | want my little
10 shake hands with you
he girl came up rs though she were
pproaching y saint and Farragut
topped and said, She shall not only
hake hands. but l will give her n kiss
0 remember me by and then he went
II.
"When General Sheridan came
Trough the country after the war in a
urried, informal way, he looked upon
he proposition to give him a reception
: n great joke. He left the car quietly
t Columbus with two military friends
nd started up the main street of the
ity. AS soon as Sheridan was recOg-
lied a great crowd gathered about
i'm. He was forced to shake hands and
7as greatly amused TO see with what
rderliness the men. women and chill
ren arranged themselves in line; but
4 five minutes he bolted. He could not