Year: 1868




THE writer, on yesterday, while walk
ing along Wabash avenue, looked up and
saw General Grant just before him, going
in the same direction. He was the least
conspicuous-looking of the two individuals
who were at his side. Dressed in plain
black broadcloth suit, but in rather
marked contempt of the present style; of
only medium height, with a plain, low
crowned, soft hat, not entirely free from
dust, covering q head that had evidently
been in the hands of country barber,
General Grant, naturally enough, did not
attract the attention of the hundreds
whom he met, unconscious that they were
passing one of the worlds notabilities, the
greatest of living Generals. Scores of
people, most exquisitely garbed, were
rolling in their carriages 70 different
places of worship, while this unpretend-
ing republican General, the next Presi-
dent of the United States, was trudging
along, unrecognized by the thousands on
the avenues, who, had they known of his
presence, would have halted and gazed
with eager wonder and curiosity Soon
the General reached the church of the
Messiah, the Rev. Robert L. Golfers, and
quietly entering, seated himself with as
much modesty and humbleness as any
ordinary stranger in the city availing him
self Of a courtesy could have exhibited
Neither minister nor congregation, If We
may except few of the latter who In
some way got wind of the fact, knew that
such distinguished worshiper was in the
house. The few referred to gave the
sermon far less attention than did General
Grant.


Had the pastor been advised beforehand
that he would be listened to by the man
who is to-day the most powerful indi-
vidual on this continent, he could not have
prepared sermon better suited to the oc-
casion. His text was taken from the third
chapter of Ephesians, 14-21.


The sermon was beautiful and striking,
especially that portion in which all the
races of man, "made of one blood" were
spoken of as great family. How broad
and catholic this view how fitting to be
taken in the presence of the great man
who had fought the battles of equal
rights, and won for them the most glori
GUS and decisive victory Of the age


By the time the services were over 1t had
become pretty generally known that Gen.
eral Grant was present, and quite num-
Der of persons pressed forward to shake
his hand. He stopped at the door, how
ever, but a few moments; parted from one
of his companions, understood to be his
brother, and with the other, probably a
member of his staff, glided off quietly To
State street, where they took a street car
the General standing up all the way tC
4 Randolph street, unrecognized by single
person except the writer. At Randolph
street he took another car, and soon wal
lost to Us in the centre of the great city.


Thus unobtrusively and unpompously
does this foremost man of all the worlt
move about among his fellow-citizens
How unlike a European General and pro
spective Chief Ruler of great nation
Truly is he republican. But it need moi
be supposed that General Grant does moi
appreciate the magnitude of the response
bilities that rest upon him. No wonder
that his shoulders are stopped in sympathy
with his burdened spirit. No wonder
that his brow wears an anxious, wearied
look. The weight of nations welfare is
borne about by him, whether he moves
silently and unknown among the crowd
or is the most observed of all men at the
National Capital ChicOgO EOening Post