Adam Badeau, Grant in peace: from Appomattox to Mount McGregor, a personal memoir

[270] turned out to meet him, the banks of the Tyne were covered with working people for twenty miles. The horses were taken from his carriage more than once, and the crowds gathered around to shake his hand, just as if he had led their armies or fought for their cause. They felt, indeed, that the cause was the same, that he was a leader in the same battle in which they have still their fight to make. Then, too, here was a ruler of a great people, and they could shake his hand! Here was a President who was not inaccessible. It was Democracy in the flesh. No wonder the poor who had lived under lords and sovereigns for centuries felt that, whereas they had been blind, now they saw.

While General Grant stayed at my house, I remember two visits that were paid him, peculiar in character. One was from the Comte de Paris, who wrote to me in advance to ask when it would be agreeable to General Grant to receive him. The services of the Orleans Prince in our armies were, of course, known to General Grant, but the two had never met in America. Grant's star had not risen very high when the Comte de Paris was on McClellan's staff, and when General Grant was brought East to command the armies, the descendant of St. Louis had returned to Europe. Of course, the visit was a compliment, and General Grant was gratified. He conversed pleasantly with the Prince and performed the proper etiquettes.

But afterward, on the same day, he received a deputation of English workingmen, and, though he had all respect for the gallant gentleman who had offered his sword in our behalf, and perhaps a shade of personal pity for a discrowned Prince, his livelier interest was excited by the British mechanics and artisans who came to offer their less elegant greeting. There were forty of them, each representing a different trade, and they presented a formal address, assuring him of their deep regard for the welfare and progress of America, where British workmen had always found a welcome. Grant's reply showed