The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-16

biography 10 our political and educational
history.
l.
In the FIRST Of the volumes before us we
, hear a good deal about Gen. Grant, whom
the author visited at Long Branch in 1870.
The Franoo-Prussian War was then going
on, and we are told that Grant is sympathies
were evidently with Germany. His com
rnents on the war we're prophetic, There
was nothing dogmatic in them; nothing
could be more simple and modest than
his utterance; but there was a clearness
and a quiet force in them which impressed
me greatly MI. White adds that Grant
was the first great General he had ever seen
and he was to be strongly reminded OF
Grants mingled difidence and mastery
when some years afterward he talked with
Aoltke in Berlin.
Discussing the Liberal Republican move
ment Of 1872, Mr. White expresses the con-
viotion that the reelection Of Gen. Grant
was a great blessing. In his opinion, Grant
was one Of the noblest purest and most
capable men who have ever sat in the Presi-
dental chair. The cheap olaptrap an
tithesis which has at times been made
between Grant the soldier and Grant the
statesman Is, 1 am convinced, utterly with
out foundation. The qualities which made
him a great soldier made him an effectiye
statesman Mr. White thinks that this
fact was clearly recognized by the American
people at various times during the civil
war. and especially when, at the surrender
Of Appomattox, Grant declined TO deprive
Gen. Lee Of his sword and quietly took
the responsibility Of allowing the soldiers
Of the Southern army TO return with their
horses to their fields TO resume peaceful
industries. These statesmanlike qualities
we're developed more and more by the great
duties and responsibilities Of the Presi-
dency. His triumph over financial dema-
RoRy in his vetoes Of the imitation bill,
and his triumph over political demagogy
In securing the Treaty Of Washington and
the Alabama Indemnity, prove him a
statesman worthy Of rank with the best OF
his predecessor In view Of these evil
denoes Of complete integrity and high capac-
ity, and bearing in mind various converse
tons which he had with him during his
public life, down 10 a period just before
his death, Mr.. White feels sure that history
will pronounce Grant not only a General
but a statesman in the best sense Of the
word
In another chapter the author recalls
that Grant toward the close OF his secor d
Presidential term made visit to Cornell
University, and In the course Of conversa-
ton spoke Of the Santo Domingo matter,
70 which. by the way, a chapter Of this
book is allotted. Grant said: The an
neIation question is doubtless laid aside
for the present., but the time will come
when the country will have occasion 20
regret that IL was disposed Of without
adequate discussion. As an 40 soon to
leave the Presidency, / may say to you
now that one Of my main thoughts in re-
gard 20 the annexation Of the island has
been that il might AFFORD a refuge for the
negroes OF the South In case anything like
q war Of races should ever arise in the
old slave States" Grant then alluded to
the bitter feeling between the two races
which was at that time shown in the South e,
and which was leading many Of the blacks
20 take refuge In Kansss and other north
western States. The President went on
20 say, with evidently deep conviction,
that IF such a refuge az Santo Domingo
were opened to them their former masters
would soon find that they have not the
oolored population entirely at their mercy
and would be obliged 10 compromise with
them on far more just terms than would
otherwise be likely
During another walk In Ithaca, when
speaking Of the approaching end Of his
second Presidential term, Grant said that
be found himself looking forward 10 II
with the same longing which he had felt
a. a cadet at West Point when looking for
ward to his furlough. Mr.. White, for his
part, has never believed that the earnest
effort made by Grants friends at Chicago
IN 1850 20 nominate him for q third term
was really prompted by him, or that he
really desired Il. To our author the move
rnent has always seemed due 10 the de-
Votion Of friends who admired his noble
qualities. and thought that the United
States ought not to be deprived Of them
n obedience 10 a tradition, in his case
more honored in the breach than in the
Observance. Mr.. White further testifes
that having seen Grant on several con-
vivial occasions, and under circumstance
when. n ever, he would be likely to indulge
IN what was understood to have been in
his early life an unfortunate habit, never
saw him betray the influence Of alcohol
IN the slightest degree
NJ.
Mr.. White was an attachs Of the American
Legation at st. Petersburg In ls54-SS, that
is 10 say, at the time when the Gar Nicholas
]. was succeeded by his son Alexander II.
in 1897 he went back TO 81. Petersburg
~ United States Minister, and In the eI-
eroise Of that function had necessarily a
great deal Of intercourse with Russian
statssmen, and acquired AZ first hand much