Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-07-19
GRANT GAINED 1'HEM
AN INCIDENT OF JOHNSON'S FAMOUS
SWING AROUND THE CIRCLE.

A Painful Spectacle which the Gem
eral Brought 20 IL Close by Forcing
the Tumultuous Crowd to Listen to
the President.
There is nothing in history that cor
responds to that wonderful swing of
President johnson frcm Washington TO
Chicago by way of Robin Hoods barn.
Mr.. johnson planned the trip with in
finite cunning. He prided himself on
being commoner, and be believed
that he understood tie people and
that if he could meet them face TO face
he could convince item that the presi-
dent was right and congress wrong. To
get the love of the people lie carried
with him General Grant, Admiral Far
fagut, Secretaries Seward, Nelles and
Randall, General Custer and other men
well known to the people. He reason
ed that, accompanied by the popular
idols OF the day, ne would be sure of
enthusiastic reception everywhere. That
was all that he asked. Give him q
big crowd. ard lie was confident that
he could win them over.
The president started from Wash
ingtOn with Il chip Oh his shoulder. The
very fist crowd he met knocked il of
without ceremony. 1t soon became
clear the people We're in resentful
mood, and after two or three clashes
some of Mr.. .!ohnson's best friends
recommended Il change of programme.
Many believed that the president see
Ing the mood of the people, would
yield. but they didn't know the man.
l 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 n 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 keanly scrap with those who
defied him
At one point crowd of 10000 people
had gathered, mainly to see Grant,
Farragut and Seward. There was tire
mendous enthusiasm over the party,
and the president was elated. But
when he rose to speak the crowd hOot-
ed and hissed and set up great shout
for Grant The people had seen through
the presidents scheme and We're 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
L.. l.< I<e-f In,
the thunder of the shouts for Grant.
1t was n 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 4
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 petulantly. General, you will
have to speak to them"
General Grant said decisively, II 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 n church in prayer time. Wait
| ing an 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 it
| spoke volumes. Grants face was full
! OF Indignation and reproach. and the
crowd. accepting his rebukc. 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 a
"a. ho-e4 would q battle. The people