New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-18

HOW GRANT FORCED THE CROWD TO LIS
TEN TO THE PRESIDENT.
From The Chicago Inter ocean.


From The Chicago Inter ocean.
There is nothing in history that corresponds
to that wonderful swing Of President Johnson
from Washington to Chicago by way Of Robin
Hoods barn. Mr.. Johnson planned the trip
with infinite cunning He prided himself on
being a commoner and he believed that he
understood the people, and that if ne could
meet them face to face he could convince them
that the President 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 Ran
dali, General Custer and other men well known
to the people. He reasoned that, accompanied
by the popular idols Of the day. he would be
sure OF enthusiastic reception everywhere.
That all he asked Give him big crowd
and he was confident that he could win them
The President started from Washington with
a chip his shoulder. The very first crowd he
met knocked it off without ceremony. 1t soon
became clear the people were in resentful mood,
and after two three clashes some or MI.
Johnson's best friends recommended a change
OF programme. Many believed that the Presi-
dent, seeing 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; | had heard
him scold the leading citizens Of Nashville as
he would a lot OF school children; had seen HIM.
when a mob threatened his life stride out into
the street and march the full length OF the
city al the head of a procession, carrying the
Stars and Stripes. and ! knew that ne would
relish keeny a scrap with those who dehed
him.
At one point crowd Of fifty thousand people
had gathered mainly 20 Grant. Farragut
and Seward. There was tremendous enthusiasm
the party. and the President was elated
But when he rose to speak the crowd hpoted
and Kissed and set up great shout for Grant
The people had seen through the Presidents
scheme. and were turning The tables on nm
by using Grant and FarraEut to hCmiliate ana
punish him The President saw the strategy
OF the move and he was as furious as b" was
helpless. In every interval of quiet ne would
attempt to speak but every word h. uttered
would be lost in the thunder Of the shouts for
Grant. 1t was a painful spectacle. and every
body was embarrassed The crowd would not
listen to the chairman or any other local eel
ebrity.
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, bul III
hoWled him down. and the dashing cavalry
man took his seat with the remark that he
would like 10 clear the grounds with brl-
gade 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 ana sald
petulantly: General, YOU VIII nave 10 SPEAK
10 them" General Grant said, decisively. 4
viii not" Then the President said. more era.
ciously' won't you show yourself. General
Grant stepped forward, and, after a round OF
cheers the people We're quiet as a church IN
prayer time. Waiting an Instant Grant raised
his hand. made a gesture toward Johnson. ana
said clearly: The President OF the United
States
The incident a simple one. but II spoke
volumes Grants face was full Of indignation
and reprOach. and the crowd. accepting his re-
buke listened to the President for an hour.
And the President did not spare the people lie
scolded them to his hearts content, replied 10
all their taunts. talked back to every man mat
/ opened his mouth and seemed TO enjoy the
performance as a war horse would a battle.
The people took the scolding In good part. and
realized that they had come in contact with
new sort of President. They heard him IN re-
spectful silence but they dsapproved OF him,
as the President knew when the votes were
counted at the elections that fall
Stewards face at such meetings was a study.
The wound in his neck was only fairly healed,
and the people took a deferential attitude
toward him But still everybody wanted to see
him and shake hands with him. Fariagut, IN
crossing the rotunda OF the Capitol, came upon
a group Of ladies' Of whom turned toward
him and eagerly inquired Are you Mr.. Sew
ard?" Farragut answered without a moment 5
hesitation: NO, am hands0mer man IMAM
Seward My name is Farragut
GLADSTONES FIRST CANIANSiNG CARD.