New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-16
GRANTS SENSE or HONOR.
HOW HE DID HIS DUTY WITHOUT HURTING
HIS FATHERS FEELINGS
From The Chicago Times Herald.

From The Chicago Times Herald.
Great men frequently discover that relatives
are not the most charming things 70 have Or
cultivate. after greatness comes. Were 1t pos
sible to induce public men Of the past and pres
ent TO reveal Just what they thought Of their
relatives, the revelations might furnish some
most interesting side lights On certain famous
careers
To Wapole is attributed the bitter exclama-
ton
Relatives are tails to already overload ID
kites
This may be unwelcome truth. since history
contains many Instances where cousins AMI
aunts have proved treacherOus stumbling blocks
for ambitious leaders.
General Grant was at Memphis in command
Of the Army II thu West and lust before his
elevation to the command Of ali the armies Z
the Union. when he received word that his
father was about 70 make his headquarters
visit. The news did not please him His staff
noticed his perturbation. but passed il by with
out comment. one night shortly before the ar
rival u his sire he sent for General Dickie his
chief Of cavalry. General Dickie afterWard be-
came chief Justice Of the Supreme Court f
Illinois. and. strangely enough died at Atlantic
City On the same day that Grant passed a ~
at McGregor.
To Dickie General Grant said:
Il have sent for you personal friend. Nv
father IS coming % visit me and what I Ia
got % tell you about that visit is not pleas 2
% me- but something must be done. SOM u
the money sharks and cotton Spectators have
gained an UNIV drTantdDle influence over the Do
man. an he is really coming down here To use his
influence over M 20 gain favors for them THIS
cannot be- done. | do not wish 10 wound his
feelings. | DO not wish him 10 know that mn
derstand the object ~ his visit. I have pre-
pared plan Of action which l wish you 20 ai
me in carrying OUT
General Dicke understood thu character u
Grant as few men did. He promised his AID.
General Grant then said:
You are relieved from all duty from this
time on until the departure Of my father The
instant ne arrives | wish you TO take him 10
Your tent and entertain him there Keep him
there all the time Under no circumstances
allow him 10 be- with me alone while h. 3
hrIe"
General Diclde Immediately made prerara-
tons for th- old gentleman. and when be- came
received him with open arms H. was very
anxious 10 See his son but glad % take Dickies
headquarters for his own. and pleased with the
cordiaiity displayed toward him. As soon as
he was settled NJ made vigorous efforts 10 have
i personal interview with his son. but some
thing always happened TO prevent
Wherever ne turned Dickie wa by his side.
General Grant called on him daily. but never
alone II n went % the Generals quarters ne
always found him occupied. II he tried % met
him in Dickie's tent Dickie was sure 10 be
around. and personal conversation was an inn
o. sSibility At the end Of four or five days the
old gentleman was very restless. but there was no
chance for him 10 protest and no chance for him
O. get closer than public audience with his son.
For nearly ten day, hc made he effort. but
failed ana then left for home. happy as 20 the
entertainment be- had received. hut dismay-d n
his inability % -ee his son alone. As soon as
he was gone Grant restored General Diohe 70
cavalry duty bur never referred again % the
ruruoea ~ his fathers visit General Dckie
told the story shortly before his death 70 Chi
-ago lawyer. hut it has never been printed until
In a semi-publ.c letter written by General
Grant after his retirement from the Presidency
there occurs the lines
Whatever mistakes I nave made in ny public
.~r.. m % al rstrn