old wreath from fading.
I do not think his reputation can ever be as great in any direction
as in the direction of war. He has made his reputation and has
lived his great life. I regard him, confessedly, as the best
soldier the Anglo-Saxon blood has produced. I do not know that it
necessarily follows because he is a great soldier he is great in
other directions. Probably some of the greatest statesmen in the
world would have been the worst soldiers.
_Question_. Do you regard him as more popular now than ever before?
_Answer_. I think that his reputation is certainly greater and
higher than when he left the presidency, and mainly because he has
represented this country with so much discretion and with such
quiet, poised dignity all around the world. He has measured himself
with kings, and was able to look over the heads of every one of
them. They were not quite as tall as he was, even adding the crown
to their original height. I think he represented us abroad with
wonderful success. One thing that touched me very much was, that
at a reception given him by the workingmen of Birmingham, after he
had been received by royalty, he had the courage to say that that
reception gave him more pleasure than any other. He has been
throughout perfectly true to the genius of our institutions, and
has not upon any occasion exhibited the slightest toadyism. Grant
is a man who is not greatly affected by either flattery or abuse.
_Question_. What do you believe to be his position in regard to
the presidency?
_Answer_. My own judgment is that he does not care. I do not
think he has any enemies to punish, and I think that while he was
President he certainly rewarded most of his friends.
_Question_. What are your views as to a third term?
_Answer_. I have no objection to a third term on principle, but
so many men want the presidency that it seems almost cruel to give
a third term to anyone.
_Question_. Then, if there is no objection to a third term, what
about a fourth?
_Answer_. I do not know that that could be objected to, either.
We have to admit, after all, that the American people, or at least
a majority of them, have a right to elect one man as often as they
please. Personally, I think it should not be done unless in the
case of a man who is prominent above the rest of his fellow-citizens,
and whose election appears absolutely necessary. But I frankly
confess I cannot conceive of any political
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