Gen. Grant when He was Sam. Grant, at Galena. [From the Galena (Ill.) Democrat.] แ then busily attempting to organize the militia of Illinois. It was here the first stroke of good luck occurred to him. A regiment was being organized, and Dick was about to appoint a certain A. B. Colonel thereof, against whom the officers of the embryo corps rebelled stoutly. Who, then, shall I appoint?" said his Excellency. Any body but a politician," responded the Captains and Lieutenants present. "There's Captain Grant; how will he do-he's a West Pointer ?" says Dick (Sam. was writ"" 'Content," answered the officers, and Grant was immediately commissioned by the Governor Colonel of the Twenty-first Illinois Regiment, and who, probably, in that capacity, was the best appointment that Dick had made. U. S. Grant, or S. U. Grant, came to this city about nine years ago. His father was a resident of Covington, Ky., had a leather store here, and was engaged, through his two sons, Orville and Simpson Grant, in the purchase of hides, which were shipped to Covington. Hither came Ulysses, after he wandered out of the United States army, and was employed as a kind of porter about the establishment. He was equally uning at a table in the room), known to fame or to society here, and so remained until his good luck came into play with that of the Black Republican dynasty of A. Lincoln. It has been repeatedly stated that Grant voted for Douglas at the Presidential election of 1860, which resulted in the triumph of "Black Old Abe and the eternal nigger!" Ulysses Sam., or Sam. Ulysses, after his singularly accidental fortune in getting the Again, it has been said that both he and his regiment, had next to raise the funds to equip himself. His present admirers were brother voted for A. Lincoln. His brother not the men to assist him; they stood aloof, did vote the Republican ticket, but Sam. although many of them at the time were did not vote at all. He told one gentleman making money out of army contracts. He that, if he did vote, he would prefer to do so was poor; they were rich. His own family for Bell and Everett, the Know-Nothing refused to aid him; and, had it not been for candidates. To another gentleman he ex- the kindness of a gentleman who was a pressed his preference for Judge Douglas, Democrat, and had been at one time conadding, however, that he did not like to opnected with his father in business, he would pose the wishes of his father and brother, not have been able to purchase his outfit. who were Republicans; thus exhibiting the same vacillating course in politics that he does at present. Know-Nothingism appears at all times to be his predominating politi cal characteristic. was. Up to this time it is said that Sam. Grant Washburne known Sam., although some had never known E. B. Washburne, or members of his family had politically stood But few of our citizens knew U. S. or S. by Washburne The Congressman had ofU. Grant during his residence here; and it ten passed and repassed the unknown hero was not until the title of General 'was at-in blessed ignorance of who and what he tached to his name that they began to inquire: "Who and what is this General When and where they found out their So also Grant who is announced as a distinguished respective merits is unknown to us. citizen of Galena?" others of our citizens, who now adulate, "We never knew him!" "What is he-fawn upon, and worship Grant, hailing him what did he do here?" Everybody seemed as the "Agamemnon" of the army, never astonished that we "had a Bourbon among recognized him, patronized him, or extended us," and had ignorantly been nursing a to him the right hand of fellowship until military genius in our midst, who was des- Washburne led the way, after he had been tined (politically at least) to overslaugh all manufactured into a General, and then it competitors. was that he was first deemed worthy of their distinguished consideration. It is generally understood that there is, and has been for some time past, in fact, ever since General Grant loomed up in the political horizon, quite a contest or rivalry as to the particular individual who first lent Grant a helping hand-both E. B. Washburne and Dick Yates claiming the merit of being his benefactor. Such is a brief sketch of the Galena career of "Uncle Sam." Grant, as he was want to be called by his old comrades in the regular army. We have "naught extenuated or set down in malice." His good luck in things personal had adhered to him thus far. As we have before remarked, the very It appears that on the breaking out of the men who knew him not, who never extended rebellion, U. S. or S. U. Grant (we had bet to him their hands in friendship, or their ter call him Sam., for short) wandered to hospitality to him, or his family, or even Springfield, and obtained temporary employ- visited them-who, in fact, while he was ment as a clerk or peace adjutant in the in the humble employ of his father, under office of that moral, sober and exemplary the direction of his younger brother, gave chief magistrate, Governor Richard Yates, | him the cold shoulder-are now his most obsequious servants, and, in conjunction | and one, too, which can be so much better with, and at the nod of E. B. Washburne, performed by others." The President expurchased and furnished for him a house, cused him, and the Times will be good at the enormous expense of some sixty thou- enough to excuse us if we do not believe sand dollars, making the whole country ring that Grant possesses qualities which he so with their generosity. On the other hand, utterly disclaims himself. the few who, out of pity for his poverty and forlorn condition, showed him kindness, appear to have been totally forgotten by this distinguished "citizen of Galena." What Grant Thinks of Himself as a Statesman. [From the New York World.] A Case of Cotton Speculation - Grant the Father, and Grant the Son-An Ugly Affair. We reproduce, says the Cincinnati Enquirer, the proceedings of a very important Court case, as published at the time in the Cincinnati papers, It and which created much talk. was the case of Jesse R. Grant (the father of General Hiram Ulysses Grant), who sued the Mack Brothers on a contract entered into between the parties, December, 1862. If Hiram Ulysses Grant is now running as a statesman, and not as a soldier, he will speedily go to the wall. The fact is, that General Grant's connection with public af fairs, outside of the army, has been so slight that he has had very little opportunity to display the "statesmanship" the Times ex hibits for him, and so far from assuming Was it in view of this arrangement such qualities to himself, Grant has respect between Jesse R. Grant and the Mack fully disclaimed them. Two years ago he wrote a letter to Mr. Morris, in which he Brothers, and in order that it might said: "I am not a politician, never was, and be as profitable to the parties as poshope never to be, and could not write a po-sible, that General Grant issued his litical letter"- -as his recent letter of accept- inhuman order of December 17, 1862, ance shows, and even in that letter he de clares that he has no policy of his own, which requiring all Jews to be expelled from is a singular position for a "statesman." his department (that of Tennessee) Sumner thought so little of Grant's views of within twenty-four hours from the the situation of civil affairs in the South as to receipt of that order by post comcharacterize his report as a "whitewashing" manders? And did Jesse R. Grant one. But Hiram Ulysses Grant has put upon record his opinion of his own abilities as a statesman. When Lewis D. Campbell was appointed United States Minister to Mexico, the President, October 20, 1866, instructed General Grant, through the Secretary of War, to accompany Campbell to Mexico, if he thought fit, or to proceed to some point on the frontier most suitable and comply with the regulations of trade convenient for communication with that These questions might have found Minister, "to give him the aid of his advice in carrying out the instructions of the Sec- a solution had the case not been comretary of State." General Grant asked to promised. The plaintiff took a few be excused, and suggested Sherman, Han- dollars and dismissed the case. Its cock, or Sheridan, for the duty. To the developments promised to be an ugly Secretary of War he said: "I would not dare to counsel the Minister in any matter affair, and not very creditable to the beyond stationing troops on United States Commander of the Department of the soil. * * * I sincerely hope I may be Tennessee. It was, therefore, pruexcused from undertaking a duty so foreign dently taken out of Court. The folto my office and tastes as that contempla SUPERIOR COURT. ted." To the President, asking to be ex-lowing is the case as reported and cused, he wrote: "It is a diplomatic duty published in the Cincinnati papers, for which I am not fitted either by educa- May 17, 1864: tion or taste. It has necessarily to be conducted with the State Department, with which my duties do not connect me. Again, General Term-Jesse R. Grant v. Mack then, I most respectfully but urgently repeat | Brothers. Judge Hoadly delivered the opinmy request to be excused from the perform- ion. The case was reserved from special ance of a duty entirely out of my sphere, term on demurrer to the petition. The ac tion was instituted for the settlement of a ment horses and wagons, or steamboats; or, partnership account. he may have hired horses and wagons from The plaintiff avers that in December, the people of the country, and secured steam1862, he entered into a partnership with de- boat transportation in the usual way. The fendants for the purchase of cotton in the mere fact that he was to secure transportamilitary department of U. S. Grant; the tion at the headquarters of General Grant, condition of said agreement that defendants is not decisive. were to furnish the capital and the men to The other item of service, the "procuring purchase and ship the cotton, and the plain- of such other facilities as might be consisttiff to procure at the headquarters of Gen. ent with the usages and interests of the Grant a permit to purchase it, secure trans- army," is open to the same double reading. portation, and such other facilities as might These facilities, whatever they were, may be consistent with the usages and interests have been procured by honest or dishonest of the army. The plaintiff was to receive influences. one-fourth share of the net profits of sales, For these reasons, the defense suggested after deducting from gross proceeds the nec- must be presented by answer. The theory essary expenses. The petition further states that the employment of the plaintiff was to that there was a realized profit in the de- procure the illegal co-operation of the milifendants' favor of not less than $40,000, and tary in a private enterprise, must be alleged that they refuse to render any account, or by sworn answer. If true, it was equally pay the plaintiff his proportion. disgraceful to the defendants and the plainThe defendants claim that the plaintiff tiff, and, if proven, would insure the dismiscontributed, by his own showing, neither sal of the petition with reprobation to the capital nor lawful service to the copartner- two parties, upon the principle, among othship, and that their agreement to pay him ers, in pari delicto, potior est conditio defenda share of the profits is, therefore, without entis. Demurrer overruled, and leave to sufficient consideration. answer. The Court can not presume that the plain- Judge Storer agreed with the other memtiff intended to allege that he undertook that bers of the Court on the question of the which was prohibited by law. His acts and pleadings, and felt constrained to say that promises may have been illegal, and the the whole of the trade, as disclosed in this partnership one for a forbidden enterprise; proceeding, was not only disgraceful, but but in the absence of an answer so aver- tends directly to disgrace the country. It is ring, the Court can not assume it, unless the the price of blood. averments are inconsistent with any other theory. The purchase of cotton in the military department commanded by General Grant was illegal, unless carried on by permission of the President, obtained through the Treasury Department. Grant's Military Discipline. How HE PUNISHES PRIVATE SOLDIERS. A clerical_claquer of Gen. Grant, the Rev. J. L. Crane, ex-chaplain of his regiment, ventilates his recollections of the great oyster. Among other things he says: It The plaintiff avers that he was to go to the headquarters of General Grant and procure a permit to purchase cotton. Whether this was expected to be obtained from the He is always cheerful. No toil, cold, heat, General himself, from some member of his hunger, fatigue or want of money depresses staff, or a Treasury agent at headquarters, him. He does his work at the time, and he is not stated. Whether the plaintiff was to requires all under his command to be equalprocure it as a personal favor, or by the use ly prompt. I was walking over the camp of personal influence, or in the ordinary with him one morning after breakfast. mode of business, is not shown. The Court was usual for each company to call the roll could not presume he was to get his permit at a given hour. It was now probably a from an officer not authorized by law to half hour after the time for that duty. The give it, or that he was to procure it as the Colonel was quietly smoking his old meerreward of personal, political or other ille- schaum, and talking and walking along, gitimate influence. They must rather infer when he noticed a company drawn up in that he proposed to solicit and procure a line and the roll being called. He instantly permit in the ordinary and proper way, from drew his pipe from his mouth and exclaima Treasury agent having authority to issue it. ed: Captain, this is no time for calling Again: It is averred that plaintiff was to the roll. Order your men to their quarters and did secure transportation. This may immediately." The command was instantly have been done by procuring from some obeyed, and the Colonel resumed his smokQuartermaster, or other officer controlling ing and walked on, conversing as quietly as it, the improper and illegal use of Govern- if nothing had happened. For this viola แ tion of dicipline, those men went without cards; the citizen laid his upon the waiter. rations that day, except what they gathered I informed him I had none. He then left up privately from among their friends of the room. In a few minutes Mr. Colfax other companies. Such a breach of order made his appearance. He spoke in a very was never witnessed in the regiment after- affable way to the citizen gentleman, not ward while he was its Colonel. This prompt- deigning to notice me. In a short time the ness is one of Grant's characteristics, and gentleman left me, and Mr. Colfax, turning it is one of the secrets of his success. shortly around, in no very amiable way, Now, this ex-chaplain is either a said: "Well, what will you have?" I then, in as few words as possible, explained the Reverend prevaricator, or Grant prac-object of my visit. In reply, he said that he had no time to fool away with soldiers. I then immediately left, thinking to myself that perhaps I might do him a favor some time is coming when I might vote for him; day, on the same principle. Perhaps the but I could not, nor would not, even for Supervisor. To the above I am willing to be qualified. N. M. MOORE. ticed a cruel discipline upon his private soldiers. For an irregularity in roll-call he punished the private soldiers by taking from them their rations that day, and compelled them to impose upon their friends for something to eat. The men were not to blanfe for any irregularity in roll-call. They have nothing to do but to obey In 1854-5, when Know-Nothingit. The company commander should ism sought the disfranchisement and alone have been punished. To order the men to suffer on that account was a small display of the military despot. What Grant and Colfax think of the Soldiers. Colfax and Foreigners. proscription of every foreigner and Roman Catholic in the country on account of his birthplace and religion, Mr. Schuyler Colfax was a bright and General Grant has written to the shining light in the organization. The Military Committee of the House of Indianapolis Sentinel states that there Representatives, asking for an in- was no fiercer or more proscriptive crease of one-third in the pay of army he have had his way, not a foreigner Know-Nothing in the land. Could officers, but he has not a word to say or Roman Catholic would to-day be for the private soldier. allowed to hold office or even vote. An Indiana soldier addresses a note to the Indianapolis Sentinel, in which In order to show our foreign born he details the treatment he received citizens what manner of man he is, at the hands of Mr. Colfax, as follows: we give the oaths which he took when initiated into the Know-Nothing Lodge, as follows: In the winter of 1862, I was in the Patent Office Hospital, in Washington City, during convalescence, after a very hard spell of fever. A friend called upon me. Through him I succeeded in getting a standing pass. This friend requested me to visit him. He was clerking in the Treasury Department; was also attending lectures as a medical student, and had to be absent from his duties every day. He requested me to write for him two hours every day to keep up his books, at the same time requesting me to try and secure the situation, as he was going to give it up. I thought I would then call upon Mr. Colfax, and perhaps, through his instrumentality, I might facilitate my discharge and secure the situation as clerk in the department. I therefore called on him, at his residence. I was clothed as well as a clean, decent suit of soldier's clothes would allow. A finely dressed gentleman came in immediately behind me; a colored boy met us in the reception room. He asked for our FIRST DEGREE.-In the presence of Almighty God and these witnesses you do solmnly promise and swear that * * * you will not vote, nor give your influence, for any man, for any office in the gift of the people, unless he be an American born citizen, in favor of Americans ruling America, nor if he be a Roman Catholic. SECOND DEGREE.-In the presence of Almighty God and these witnesses you do solemnly and sincerely swear * * *. if it may be legally done, you will, when elected or appointed to any official station conferring on you power to do so, remove all foriegners, aliens or Roman Catholics from office or place, and that you will in no case appoint such to any office or place in your gift. Now, when, against his utmost efforts, the Know-Nothing organization has been utterly defeated and swept from exisitence, the Radicals a part of the council of revision, " expect these same foreigners and their descendants to vote to make Mr. Schuyler Colfax Vice-President. Can they forget and forgive the vindictive proscription with which he pursued them? Opinion of Colfax in the West. The Cleveland Plaindealer says of Colfax, that he is a politician by trade, and is notorious in Indiana as a chronic officebeggar;" that he was elected to Congress in 1854 by the Know-Nothing party, and he was one of the most bitter, loud-mouthed defamers of our foreign-born fellow-citizens in that memorable campaign;" and that "he is best known as a mere partisan intriguer, as full of Radical bitterness as old Thad. himself, and possessed of neither strength or comprehensiveness of mind nor generosity of disposition." * Views of the Framers of the Constitution as to the On the 30th of May, 1787, when the Convention proceeded to consider the proposition to establish a National Government consisting of a supreme legislative, executive and judiciary, Mr. Butler said that "he had opposed the grant of powers to Congress (Ib. 748) heretofore, because the whole power was vested in one body. The proposed distribution of the powers with the different bodies changed the case, and would induce him to go great lengths." In the subsequent debates, Mr. Gerry expressed doubts whether the judiciary ought to form as they will have a sufficient check against encroachposition of the laws, which involved a power ments on their own department by their exof deciding on their constitutionality. In some States the judges had already set aside laws as being against the Constitution. This was done, too, with general approbation." (Ib. 783.) On his motion, the clause was postponed, and the Convention considered a proposition to give the national executive a right to negative any legislative act which shall not be afterward passed by certain parts of each branch. Mr. Wilson thought "neither the original proposition nor the amendment went far enough. If the legislative, executive, and judiciary ought to be distinct and independent, the executive ought to have an absolute negative. Without such a self-defense, the legislature can at any moment sink it into non-existence." (Ib. 784.) Mr. Hamilton was also for giving the executive an absolute negative. (Ibid.) Mr Madison supposed that if a proper proportion of each branch should be required to overrule the the same purpose as an absolute negative. objections of the executive, it would answer (Ib. 786.) Mr. Wilson thought "the requiring a large proportion of each house to overrule the executive's check, might do in peaceable times; but there might be tempestuous moments in which animosities may run high between the executive and legislative branches, and in which the former ought to be able to defend itself." (Ib. 786-7.) The Convention decided against giving the executive absolute negative — against giving the executive absolute power to suspend a legislative act; but to give the executive alone, without the judiciary, the revisionary control of the laws, unless overruled by two-thirds of each branch. (Ib. 790.) Then the Convention agreed to establish a national judiciary, to consist of one supreme tribunal, and of inferior tribunals (Ib. 791); and empowered the national legislature to institute the latter. (Ib. 799.) Mr. Madison said, " an effective judiciary establishment, commensurate to the legislative authority, was essential. A government without a proper executive and judiciary would be the mere trunk of a body without arms or legs to act or move." 799.) (Ib. A portion of the Convention still desired that the judiciary should aid the executive in the revision of the laws. Mr. Madison observed that "the great difficulty in rendering the executive competent to its own defense arose from the nature of republican * For more of Grant's and Colfax's record, government" an association of the judges see other parts of this book. in his revisionary function would both |