The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-09-06
GRANT GAINED THEM
AN INCIDENT OF JOHNSON'S FAMOUS
SWING AROUND THE CIRCLE.

A P11ntul spectacle w h1cn tHe Ueu-
eral Brought to a Close by Forcing
the Tumu1tuous Crowd to Listen to
the President.
There is nothing in history that cor
responds to that wonderful swing OF
President Johnson from Washington to
Chicago by way Of Robin Hoods barn.
Mr.. johnson planned the trip with in
finite cunning. He prided himself on
being a commoner, and he believed
that he understood the people and
that if he could meet them face to face
he could convince them that the presi-
dent was right and congress wrong. To
get the love of the people he carried
with him General Grant, Admiral Far
ragut, Secretaries Seward, Welles and
Randall, General Custer and other men
well known 70 the people. He reason-
ed that, accompanied by the popular
idols Of the day. he would be sure Of
enthusiasticreception everywhere. That
was all that he asked. Give him 4
big crowd, and he was confident that
he could win them over.
The president started from Wash
ington with chip on his shoulder. The
very fist crowd he met knocked it off
without ceremony. 1t soon became
clear the people were in a resentful
mood, and after two or three clashes
some of Mr.. Johnson's best friends
recommended change Of programme.
Many believed that the president, see
ing the mood Of the people, would
yield, but they didn't know the man.
I had seen him face all sorts Of crowds
while he was military governor Of
Tennessee. l had heard him scold the
leading citizens of Nashville as he
would a lot of school children; had
seen him, when mob threatened his
life, stride out into the street and
march the full length Of the city at the
head Of a procession, carrying the stars
and stripes, and 1 knew that he would
relish keenly q scrap with those who
defed him.
At one point crowd Of 10000 people
mad gathered. mainly to see Grant,
Farragut and Seward. There was ire
mendous enthusiasm over the party,
and the president was elated. But
when he rose to speak the crowd hoot-
ed and Kissed and set up great shout
for Grant. The people had seen through
the presidents scheme and were turn
ing the tables on him by using Grant
and Farragut to humiliate and punish
him. The president saw the strategy
Of the move, and he was as furious as
he was helpless. In every interval Of
quiet he would attempt to speak, but
every word he uttered would be lost in
the thunder Of the shouts for Grant.
It was painful spectacle, and every
body was embarrassed. The crowd
would not listen to the chairman or
any other local celebrity.
General Custer, then at the height Of
his popularity, stepped forward in his
dramatic, imperious way, believing
that he could quiet the tumult. The
crowd was friendly, but it howled him
down, and the dashing cavalryman
took his seat, with the remark that he
would like to clear the grounds With a
brigade Of cavalry,
Johnson, looking down on the tumult,
saw smiling, contemptuous faces, but
no hatred. He turned to Grant, who
had retired to the rear Of the platform,
and said petulantiy, General, you will
have to speak to them
General Grant said decisively, 81 will
not"
Then the president said, more gra-
ciously, Wont you show yourself,
general:'
Grant stepped forward, and. after a
round Of cheers, the people were as
quiet as a church in prayer time. Wait
ing an instant, Grant raised his hand,
made q gesture toward Johnson and
said clearly, "The president Of the
United States
The incident was a simple one, but it
spoke volumes Grants face was full
Of Indignation and reproach, and the
crowd, accepting his rebuke, listened
to the president for an hour. And the
president did not spare the people. He
scolded them to his hearts content, re-
piled to all their taunts. talked back to
every man that opened his mouth and
seemed to enjoy the performance as
war horse would battle. The people
took the scolding in good part and re-
allied that they had come in contact
with a new sort Of president They
heard him in respectful silence, but
they disapproved of him, as the presi-
dent knew when the votes were count
ed At the election that fall:
Stewards face at such meetings was
a study The wound in his neck was
only fairly healed, and the people took
q deferential attitude toward him. But
still everybody wanted to see him and
shake hands with him.
Farragut, in crossing the rotunda OF
the capitol, came upon a group Of Ia
dies, one Of whom turned toward him
and eagerly inquired, care you Mr..
Co-ror,1.o Ia rra ont answered without