Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-07-30
The Politics OF Major General Grant.


1t Is matter of entire Indifference TO
Us to what political party victorious gen.
eral 10 tie union army belongs. We
desire victories, and vigorous prosecu-
ton of the war, till the rebels shall lie
down their arms, that have been raised
against the govern ment. Il a democratic
general achieves these victories. we feel
Just az well as though he were repubi-
can. A man who fights for his country
with energy, and believes in suppressing
the rebellion, and in using the best posi-
BILE means to effect that object in the
shortest possible time, is to onr mind, g
true patriot, and good republican enough
for US. But as mary of the democratic
papers are claiming the recent victories
On the Mississippi, under Gen. GRANT, as
special democratic victories, it may be
well to know the position that gallant
general occupies politically. The follow
ing article from the Galena AdUertiser,
published at the residence of Gen. GRANT,
throws some light upon the subject, and
will be readawith interest by all true pat
riots: ...-. .- ..
/" 1t is alike unpatriotic and ungracious
to be higgling as to what may have been
| the politics OF any of our brave Generals
in the field, who have been nobly fighting
for the Republic. With truly loyal and
patriotic men it makes no difference as to
what party soldier may have belonged
to before the rebellion. Rushing to the
defense OF his Government and his coun-
try, riskipg bis life on the battlefield, he
challenges the respect and the gratitude
of the good citizen. Yet we find that
certain Oopperhead newspapers, that
preach peace and denounce the war, have
the unparalleled audacity to claim certain
successful Generals as Democrats" u.s.
ing the term in their own sense. Some
papers spmpathizing with the rebels, hav.
ing claimed our fellow-citizen, Mai. Gen.
Grant, as a Democrat it may be proper
for US to say a word touching his politics,
speaking by the best authority. Being in
the army up to within few years before
the war broke out, and being military
man, be never cast vote in his life. In
1860 be was friendly to the success of the
late Judge Douglas, though he often ex-
pressed himself as having great confidence
in the honesty and patriotism of Mr.. Lin
coin. His father, the venerable Jesse E.
Grant, now residing in Covington, Ken
lucky, is stsunch Republican, and voted
for Lincoln and Hamlin. His brother, Mr..
0. 81. Grant, now in charge of the bust
ness house in this city in which the Gen.
eral was engaged before entering the ser
vice, is one Of the most active and efficient
Repu blicans and Union men. The Gen
eral himself is now supporter of the Ad-
ministration and its whole policy, without
qualification or evasion. In 1862 he was
one of the signers to call on Mr.. Wash
burne to again become candidate for
Congress for this Congressional District.
He looks with horror upon the peace
party of the North, which is instituting
fire in the rear of the gallant army
which be has led to victory and glory.
All his friends and supporters in this
city are Republicans or War Democrats,
while the copperheads are cordially hos
tile to bin. In the late splendid celebra-
tio.i here, got up in his honor, as the he
no of the Mississippi and the capturer of
Vicksburg, the leading Democrats " ut
terly refused to participate in it, and
while the dwellings of our loyal people
blazed in magnificent illumination, the
houses of the others mentioned were
closed in darkness, and were as black as
midnight. To those interested we may
therefore say, that the present political
status of Gen. Grant is not matter OF
| doubt"