No man admires more than I do men who have struggled and fought for what they believed to be right. And to-night while General Mahone was speaking, I could not but think that the North was just as responsible for the war as the South. If this had been a war of conquest, a war simply for national aggrandizement, then I should not place General Grant side by side with or in advance of the greatest commanders of the world. But when I remember that every blow was to break a chain, when I remember that the white man was to be civilized at the same time the black man was made free, when I remember that this country was to be made absolutely free, and the flag left without a stain, then I say that the great General who commanded the greatest army ever marshaled in the defence of human rights, stands at the head of the commanders of this world. I do not believe that a more merciful general than Grant ever drew his sword.
All greatness is merciful.
All greatness longs to forgive. All true grandeur and nobility is capable of shedding the divine tear of pity. Let me say one more word in that direction. I know the names of Grant's victories. I know that these shine like stars in the heaven of his fame.