The times., 1899-07-30
GRANTS SENSE OF HONOR.
How He Did His Duty without Hurt
ing HIS Fathers Feelings.
Vrom the Chicago Times -Herald.)


Great men frequently discover that rela-
tives are not the most charming things to
have or cultivate. after greatness comes.
We're it possible to induce public men of
The past and present to reveal just what
they thought of their relatives. the revela-
tions might furnish some most interesting
side lights on certain famous careers.
To Walpole is attributed the bitter ex-
clamation:
Relatives are tails to already overload
ed kites.
This may be unwelcome truth, since his
tory contains many instances where cou-
sins and aunts have proved trescherous
stumbling blocks for ambitious leaders
General Grant was at Memphis in COM
mand of the Army of the West, and Just
before his elevation TO the command of all
the armies of the Union, when he receiv-
ed word that his father was about TO make
bis headquarters a visit. The news did
not please him. His staff noticed his per-
turbation, but passed it by without com
ment. One night shortly before the arrival
of his sire he sent for General Dickie, his
chief of cavalry. General Dickie afterward
became chief justice of the supreme court
of Illinois, and, strangely enough, died at
Atlantic City on the same day that Grant
passed away at McGregor.
To Dickie 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 to me. but something must be
done. Some of the money sharks and cot
ton SPECTATORS have got an unwarrantable
influence over the old man. and he is really
coming down here to use his influence over
me TO gain favor5 for them. This cannot
be done. do not wish to wound his feel
ings l do not wish him TO know that
understand the object of his visit. have
prepared a plan of action which wish you
to aid me in carrying out
General Dickie understood the character
of Grant as few men did. He promised his
aid General Grant then said:
you are relieved from all duty from this
time until the departure OF my father the
instant he arrives / wish you to take him
to your tent and entertain him there. Keep
him there all the time Under no circum'
stances allow him TO be with me alone
while he is here.
General Dickie Immediately made pre-
parations for the old gentleman. and when
he came received him with open arms He
was very anxious to see his son, but glad
to take Dickie's headquarters for his own,
and pleased with the cordiality displayed
toward him AS soon as he was settled ne
made vigorous efforts to have a personal
interview with his son. but something al
ways happened to prevent.
Wherever he turned Dickie was by MS
| side General Grant called on him daily,
| hut never alone. II he went to the gen
erals quarters he always found him oeeu-
pied. II he tried to meet him in Dickle S
| tent Dickie was sure to be around, ana
personal conversation was an impossiolti-
! ty At the end of four or i've days the
| old gentleman was very restless, but there
| was no chance for him to protest and nc
chance for him to get closer than pub
| lie audience with his son. For nearly
| ten days he made the effort, but failed, and
! then left for home, happy as to the enter
| tainment he had received. but dismayed
| at his inability to see his son alone. AS
| soon as he was gone Grant restored Gen
eral Dickie to cavalry duty, but never re-
ferred again to the purpose of his father
| visit General Dickie told the story short
ly before his death TO a Chicago lawyer
! but 1t has never been printed until now
| In semi-public letter written by Cen
eral Grant after his retirement from tbs
| Presidency there occurs the lines;
Whatever mistakes / have made in my
public life 1 have never erred for my owr
gain What l have done for the Republic
has been from sense of duty, and mo-
with any thought as to what it woulc
profit me- Many unkind things have beer
said and written of me by those who leas
| know how have been situated, but my
acts have been inspired by the highes
sense of fealty to my country and Gov
ernment."