Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1899-07-07
GRANT GAINED THEM
AN INCIDENT OF JoHNSoNs FAMOUS
SWING AROUND THE CIRCLE.

A PaisfsI Spectacle which the Cen
eraI Brought 10 . Close by Forcing
the Tum uItsous Crowd to LSstea to
the PsesiAent.
There Is nothing in history that cor
! responds 10 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 comInoner, and he believed
that he understood the people and
that II 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
ragus. Secretaries Seward. Welles and
Randall General Custer and other men
we'll known to the people. He reason
ed that. accompanied by the popular
idols Of the day, he would be sure of
enthusiastic reception everywhere. That
was all that he asked. Give him a
big crowd and he was confident that
he could win them over.
The president started from Wash
tngton with chip OH his shoulder. The
very fist crowd he met knocked it of
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 frieods
recommended a change OF programme.
Many believed that the president, see
Ing the mood OF the people. would
yield. but they didn't know the man.
! had seen him face all sorts Of crowds
while he was military governor Of
Tennessee. | bad heard him scold the
leading citizens Of Nashville ms he
would 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 procession carrying the stars
and stripes, and knew that he would
relish keenly scrap with those who
detied him
At one point crowd OF 10000 people
had gathered Diainly to see Grant
Farragut and Seward. There was ire
mcndous enthusiasm over the party,
and the president was elatcd. But
wien HC IoSC W Si'cuh Tue crown moot
ell and Kissed and set up great shout
for Grant. The people had seen through
the president. scheme and were turn
Ing the tables Oh him By using Grant
and Farragut to liumiliate and punish
him. Tue 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
II was a painful spectacle, and every
body was embarrassed. The crowd
would not listen to the chairman or
any other local celebrity.
General Custer then Mt the height Of
his popularity. stepped forward In his
dramatic. imperous way. believing
that he could quiet the tumult The
crowd was friendly. but 1t howled him
down. and the dashing cayalryman
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
hnd retired to the rear of the platform,
and said petulantly, General, you will
have to speak to them"
General Grant said dccisively, Il will
not"
Then the president said more gra.
ciously, Wont you show yourself,
Rcneral7'
Grant stepped forward, and, after n
round nf ehp.rS Ia
quiet MS II church In prayer time. Wait.
Ing All Instant, Grant raised his hand,
made gesture toward Johnson and
said clearly. The president OF the
United States
The Incident WAS a simple one, but II
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 10 his hearts content. re-
piled to all their tnunts, talked back to
every man that opened his mouth, and
seemed to enjoy the performance as II
war horse would battle. The people
took the scoldtng In good part and re-.
allied that they had conae in contact
Win new sort OF president They
heard him In respectful silence. but
they dlsapproved Of him. as the prcsl
dent knew when the votes were count.
I'll at the election that fall
Stewards face at such meetings was
study The wound In his neck was
only fairly healed. aud the people took
dcfetcutial attitude toward him. hut
stili everybody wanted to see him aud
shake hands with him.
tarragut. in crossing the ro;unda of
the capitol. came upon n group of In.
dies. Que OF whom turned toward him
and eagerly inquired, Are you Mr..
Sc~ardT Farragut wercd without
moments hesitation;
Ne; l arm "A haudsomer man than
seward. My tame Is Farragus." Chi.
cago Inter Ocean.