failures from those whose wish is father to the thought; but the American people let them pass unheeded. Their strong arm bore him triumphantly through the war and into the White House, and they still uphold and sustain him."

Said Horace Greeley again :

"We like General Grant; but we care far more for Republican ascendency than for any man's personal fortunes. It is, in our view, of great importance that the opposition shall be kept out of power, while it is of comparatively small moment that A or B should tenant the White House: for a Democratic national triumph means a restoration to power of those who deserted their seats in Congress and their places under the last Democratic President to plunge the country into the Red Sea of secession and rebellion. Though you paint an inch thick, to this complexion you must come at last. The brain, the heart, the soul, of the present Democratic party is the Rebel element of the South, with its Northern allies and sympathizers." Said Horace Greeley, further:

"As to the administration of General Grant, I recognize no one as a Republican who is not grateful for its judicious, energetic and successful efforts to procure the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment, that keystone of our political arch, whereby the fruits of our great triumph over rebellion and slavery are assured and perpetuated.

"That the President has made some mistakes in appointments is obvious—it would be strange, in

deed, if one so inexperienced in the conduct of political affairs had wholly escaped them. Whatever blame may justly attach to this, falls rightfully on us, who took him from the head of the army and made him our civil chief magistrate, fully aware that he had never voted a Republican ticket, if, indeed, he had voted at all. While asserting the right of every Republican to his untrammeled choice of a candidate for next President until a nomination is made, I venture to suggest that General Grant will be far better qualified for that momentous trust in 1872 than he was in 1868. Such, gentlemen, are the ideas and convictions which have compelled me to take my place among you, and accept the responsibility you have imposed upon me [Chairman of a Republican Central Committee.]. Let us take care to act with substantial unanimity, and with such evident moderation and fairness that our friends throughout the State and the Union shall see and feel that we are doing our utmost to unite and strengthen the Republican party, and animate it with well-grounded and sanguine hopes of future triumphs."

CHAPTER XV.

GRANT AS A MAN.

Some Personal Traits-A Glance at the White House-The President's Daily Programme-Grant's Personal Appearance-His Habits-His Conversation-A Little Story-His Mental and Moral Qualities-A Friendly Portrait-How the Painter Came Afterward to be Unfriendly-Grant and Sumner Contrasted.

This chapter will be devoted mainly to the personal traits of President Grant, though some portions of it will necessarily have a close connection with the matter of the two previous chapters, inasmuch as it will be a running sketch, from observation, of how he carries himself in the White House, which is at once his office and his home.

THE WHITE HOUSE.

The reader will suppose himself to be on a visit to that great cynosure of American eyes, and goal of American ambitions, the White House, and to be armed with such letters, or escort, or personal fame, as shall secure his introduction to the Chief Magistrate. Not much is required in this way— merely enough to keep downright idlers and adventurers from occupying the President's time to the exclusion of those who have some business with him. You seek out the Executive Mansion,

located on Pennsylvania Avenue, just west of the magnificent Treasury Building, and opposite the luxuriantly growing Lafayette Park. A broad, semi-circular walk admits you through the grounds of the Mansion, which is found to be a fine, spacious edifice, with over a hundred feet of front, built of freestone painted white, and adorned with plain, heavy, round columns, enclosing a roomy portico, with driveway and landing for carriages. Inside, the impression is not remarkably pleasant. The halls are vast and reachy, and the main reception room, directly at the left of the front entrance, is usually quite deserted, except by occasional stragglers. Here, however, on certain days of the week, the promiscuous public is received by the President and his lady. This room is richly furnished, and its eight immense pier glass mirrors are interspersed with as many portraits of former hosts of the White House, all of them smartly framed, but not all well painted. At the foot of the broad staircase, you encounter one or more ushers, apparently of the Celtic race, and quite affable, though not otherwise prepossessing. They are utterly devoid of everything which could be construed into "style" or "pomp"-no livery, no ceremony, no look, even, of the trained house servant. Indeed, these fellows appear as if they were but recently broken into this duty, and that their latest calling had been farming, or teaming, perhaps.

Upstairs-whither any one goes who assumes the right to go-another reception room is reached,

wherein are usually found throughout the forenoon and until two or three o'clock, an average of half a dozen gentlemen, awaiting their turn for an audience with the President. You seat yourself among them and hand your card, or your letters, to General Frederic Dent, one of those shameful brothers-inlaw of whom we hear so much, who acts as chamberlain, or usher-in-chief. Dent is genial and withal a trifle loquacious, so that few visitors fail to be entertained in some way. Your card is taken in to the President, who sits in the Cabinet chamber, and you await the result, as the rest are doing.

IMPERIALISM" ILLUSTRATED.

The waiting room you discover to be also an office for two or three clerks. To the rear of it is a hall or ante-room, in which are two more servants. These are colored, fat, ungainly and illy-dressed; and the visitor begins to inquire in his own mind where is that imperial pomp-that military parade -which Mr. Sumner's speeches had led him to expect. Not here, certainly. We will wait and get a glimpse of it as we approach the Executive presence itself. If we are a Cabinet Minister, a Senator, a Congressman or a high bureau officer, we go into the Cabinet Chamber without much ceremony—perhaps through the office of Gens. Porter and Babcock, which flanks the Cabinet Chamber and communicates with it. The forenoon hours are ostensibly devoted to the privileged characters named, all of whom have legitimately much business