The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-10-31
GENERAL GRANT.

GENEkAL GkANTs
The General of the armies of the
United States is one of the greatest
enigmas of the age. His success seems
| to be as unaccountable it is undoubted,
and his whole life is one of the most
remarkable recorded in history. His
development was as slow as that of
Wellington is declared by some to have
been, and in other respects his resem-
blance in character to the Iron Duke is
noticeable. An able writer in the Chris
tian Watchnaan and Reflector Analyses
carefully his character and temper. We
give the article below in condensed
form:
In General Grant we have comman-
der whose unbounded popularity flows
from success alone. It has often been
the case that other great men have had
the aid of imposing presence, heroic ex-
preston, manly bearing, and peculiari-
ties Of persons and manner that have
attracted attention and excited the admi.
ration of their followers. 1t would
seem that he was created to show how
powerful an intellect might be enclosed
in an unimposing physique how widely
influential mind may become, mani
testing itself by great deeds alone, and
in no degree depending for its influence
upon any external prestige.
His expression is that of apathy,
and would dampen the energy of the
fiercest zealot. His personal presence
is wholly unpretending. Simple in dress
and manner, with no apparent passions
or weakness, he seems quite unaffected
by the ordinary failings of humanity.
Colby calculating, speeches., mex
pressive as the Dead Sea, he dwells
apart like some great fate, reposing qui-
city in the shadow of its own future.
His genius is conscious of its power,
and finds its resources in itself. He
seems not to need the counsel of man.
His face is a screen thick and impenetra-
BILE; not only that, but it suggests moth
ing behind it. His features and ex-
preston are those which generally &C
company heavy, phlegmatic temper
ament; an intellect dull and irresponsi-
BILE, that has never acted or thought for
itself, and is always satisfied to tread in.
the narrow path of official duty and
monotonous routine.
If we find in General Grant no pecul-
iarities of personal appearance calcula-
ted to win attention, still less has there
been any effort on his part to excite the
applause of his soldiers by display of
dress or equipage. With the solitary
exception of incessant smoking, which
can hardly be called a popularity in this
age of infinite and universal devotion
to the weed, certainly not an elevating
or romatic element in a military charac-
ter, there is absolutely nothing to dis
tinguish our hero from any one else.
Ofmilitary enthusiasm General Grant
does not appear to possess particle;
at least, he has never manifested any.
His temperament is too cold and hard
for that There is apparently none of
the Cup, guards, and at them!" in his
composition. Brave els, as the bravest,
but his is not enthusiastic valor which
is inspired by the moment, and presses
on without thought of consequences.
1t is rather the calculating GOODNESS
which confdes in great resources, and
in the determination of its agents to
carry out its plans. Like Jomini, Grant
appears to regard an army merely as
gigantic machine, whose mechanism he
thoroughly understands, and feels sure
of his ability to manage. We do not
hear of any expression of affection for
his soldiers individually, and from such
an unsympathetic nature this could
scarcely be expected. He would not
be likely to appreciate the feelings
which led Napoleon to. visit the sick Of
his army in their tents and hospitals, to
comfort them with kindly words, to
give them medicine with his own i'm
perial hands, and supply their needs
from mis- own purse.
But, in spite of all these drawbacks,
General Grant has achieved success
over innumerable obstacles, and SO has
secured lasting popularity. In the
worlds opinion success is the great
loadstone, and though amply endowed
with every quality but this, the life of
great commander may be u failure.
The prize is splendid and worth the
struggles of lifetime. In spite of
General Grants unimposing exterior,
his career has shown him to be man
of surprising abilities. To fight with
such success as he has fought, the quail
tiles of his mind must be various and
rare. The greatest exertion of the most
valuable and even the most contradic-
tory endowments is requisite. In the
midst. of havoc and confusion, his view
must be rapid and his decision and exc
cution instantaneous; calmness must be
his when all around is turbulence and
horror, and the greatest impetuosity
must be united with the most consum-
mate prudence. 1t was these qualities
that made General Grant the presiding
genious of our military counsels and the
saviour of our nation. 1t was his hand
that reduced military anarchy to order
that brought swift ruin upon our enc,
mics, and plucked the nation like
brand from the burning. Should his
Z life be spared let us hope that his un.
doubted loyalty, his stern simplicity o.
character and the combination OF emil
nent analitias so successfully exhibited