The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-12
LIGHTS POST BELLUM DAYS
Story Related by Gen. Garland Some Time
Before His Demise Shows
GEN. GRANT AS THE GREATEST MAN
Of That Trying Period After the War
and Secretary Stanton in the Char
acter of fRhodomanthus-
of Conquered to Victor.

Washington, February n-(SpeciaD-The
deaths of Nelson Dingley, John Russell
Young, and A. II. Garland have opened up
q hood-gate of "reminiscences. One was born
in the extreme northeastern corner of the
Union, another in Philadelphia, and the
third in the South. All three were remark
able men. Each reached high. station, and
each had an individuality peculiarly his
own. They all had host of friends and
each left a void in Washington not easily
filed Dingley, an obscure country editor,
became q statesman profoundly versed in
political economy. Young, bell boy in a
Philadelphia printing office, became the ex-
ecutive editor of the greatest political news
paper on the continent was the intimate as
sociate of President Grant, had been Amer
lean Minister to the Oldest empire on the
face of the earth, and died Librarian of
Congress. Garland came down to us from
a former generation. While opposing Sc
cession and voting for Bell and Everett, he
became a member of both the House and
the Senate of the Confederate States, and
when a boy had predicted that he would be
Attorney General of the United States--a
pfeQlCllOH uDuci lhC hiSh 1oihhA-
istration of President Cleveland
Dingley was not a reminiscent character.
Life was serious with him. He had little
appreciation of humor, and was never
given to merriment. Rarely did he refer to
incidents in his early life. He retained his
studious habits to the day of his death, and
was more of O student than reader. There
was everything solid and nothing superficial
about him. Young read everything-novels,
metaphysical works, history, biography
and was ever abreast of the current litera-
ture of the day. His fund of "reminiscences
was inexhaustible, and he had more than
the average flow of geniality. Garland COM
bined many of the traits of both Young and
Dingley, but had personality more charm
ing than either. Few were admitted to his
confidence. A delightful conversationalist,
he had memory and a store of informa-
ton almost miraculous. His "reminiscences
were of enhancing interest, but were dealt
out with extreme hesitation and caution.
All were historical, and shed light upon the
characters of men whose names will ever
stand high on the roll of fame.
Side Lights History
Ones incident related by him throws a
charming light upon the character of Gen.
Grant and President Johnson, and casts a
lurid tinge upon Secretary Stanton. 1t was
told several years ago In the humble brick
quarters of Col. William r. Smith, the Sup
erintendent of the Botanic Garden Garland
and Smith were kindred spirits. Both were
great readers, and they thoroughly enjoyed
each others society. On the night in ques-
tion they sat in easy chairs in the mellow
gaslight in the den devoted to Smiths un-
rivaled collection of the works of Robert
Burns, detailing recolections of the civil
war. Smith had been volunteer In WASH
ington when the attack of Gen, Early was
repulsed. He came near being captured by
his old friend, Gen. John c. Breckinridge,
and gave a narrowing account of his
treat from Fort Stevens to Washington on
hot and dusty day in July.
The narrative set Garland's memory
aglow. He described his visit to Washing
ton at the close of the war. Everything was
in confusion. Lincoln had been assassinat-
ed, and there was an ugly feeling in the
hearts of those who had at first manifested
a generous disposition toward the Confed-
crates. Very few had taken the oath of
allegiance, and the status, political and 9TH
erwise, of many a distinguished man was
entirely undetermined. The attitude of
President johnson seemed to be influenced
by the atmosphere of East Tennessee,
where more Union soldiers had been sent to
the front than from any territory of simf-
lar size and population in the United States.
Garland occupied rooms at the Kirkwood
Hotel, Twelfth street and Pennsylvania
avenue. He had plenty of Confederate
money, but 1t was valueless and he retain
ed his apartments through the kindness of
an old friend who loaned him several hun
dred dollars. 1t was an era of indecision
and apprehension. Booth had been shot,
and the whole country was In an uproar.
Garland, in quiet dignity, was awaiting
the current of events.
While at the hotel one evening a lady's
card was sent to his room. He descended
to the parlor. and found there the wife
of the Hon. Clement C. Clay, Jr. She was
a lady of remarkable beauty, and of su-
perior literary attainuments. Before the
war she had moved in the highest circles
of Washington society. Her husband had
been concerned In the conspiracy of George
N. Saunders and others, and was in ILL
health, and the climate and confinement
were against his recovery. With the sur
render at Appomattox and the disbandment
OF Sherr!an's and Johnson's armies, she had
repaired to Washington anxiously seeking
the liberation of her husband. Having been
repeatedly rebuffed. she sought the advice
of Garland. He heard her story and ex-
pressed the deepest sympathy. He advised
her to seek an interview with the President.
and ask him to review the case and extend
clemency to her husband. Nurtured amid
tho most aristocratic and chivalric spirits
OF the South, she shrank from such an or
deal. The Confederate feeling toward John
son was not to be measured by the feeling
toward Lincoln. Johnson was Southern
man. but not one of the elect. He had been
q plain country tailor, who received the
rudiments of his education from his wife
A strong Union man, he was credited with
an aninostity akin to that of Pnrson Brow
low rather than with the forging spirit
characteristic of Abraham Lincoln.
Stanton Vetoed tho President
Mr.. Garland assured the lady that An
drew johnson was not as black as he had
been painted, but that he had kindly dis
position, and would undoubtedly receive her
with the utmost courtesy. SO deep-seated
were her fears. however. that 1t was with