Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-07-22
GRANT GAINED THEM
AN INCIDENT OF JOHNSON'S FAMOUS
SWING AROUND THE CIRCLE.

eral Brought to "a Close by Forcing
the TumuItuOus Crowd to Listen 10
the President.
There is nothing in history that cc"
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 commoncr, and be believed
that he understood the people and
that if he could meet them face to face
lie could convince them that tie presi-
dent was right and congress wrong To
get the love OF the people lie carried
with him General Grant, Admiral Far
ragut, Secretaries Seward, WelIes and
Randall, General Custer and other men
well 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 lie asked Give INN ii
big crowd, and he WAS confident thai
lie could win them over.
The president started from Wash
ington with Il chip on his shoulder The
very fist crowd he met knocked it of
without ceremony. Ii soon became
clear the people were in a resentfui
mood, and after two or three clashes
some of Mr.. Johnson's best frieCds
recommended a change of programmes
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. | had heard him Scold the
leading citizens OF Nashville as he
would Il 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 at the
head of Il procession. carving the stars
and stripes, and knew that he would
relish keenly a scrap with those who
defieti him
At one point i crowd Of 5000 people
had gathered mainly to see Grant.
Farrag gui and Seward There WAS trc-
Blendous enthusiasm over the party.
ami the president was elatcd But
when he rose 10 speak the crowd boot
ed and Missed and set up Il great shout
for Grant. The people had seen through
the presidents scheme and were turn
ing the tables Oil him hy using Grant
and F:iriaG;!t to humiliatP 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.
1t 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 cavaIryman
took his seat. with the remark that he
would like TO clear the grounds with
brigade of cavalry.
johnson. locking down Oh the tumult,
saw smiling. contemptuous faces. but
had retired to the rear of the pla atform,
and said l'etIlantly, General, you will
have TO speak to them
General Grant said decisiyely. Il will
not"
Then the president said, more gra-
ciously, Wont you show yourself,
general
Grant stepped forward, and, after
round of cheers, the people were as
quiet as church in prayer time. Wait
ing an instant. Grant raised his hand,
made Il gesture toward Johnson and
said clearly. "'rhe 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
Nih ilOI slIIl Z lllC pSOplC. 11C
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 a
war horse would battle. The people
took the scolding in good part and re-
allied that they had come in contact
with 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
Il study. The wound in his neck was
only fairly healed. and the people took
n deferential attitude toward him. But
still everybody wanted to see him and
shake hands with him.
irarragut. in crossing the rOtunda of
the capitol, came upon Il group of Ia
dies. one of whom turned toward him
and eagerly inquired. Are you Mr. |
Seward" Flrragut answered without
L moments hesitation:
NO; am Il handsomer man than
Seward. NJ name is Farragut." Chi
rago Inter Ocean.