The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-05-10
Genernl Grant--Hls True GIory.


Another occasion has occurred in Con-
gress for the politicians to make their ado
ration TO what they conceive to be the ris-
ing star of General GRANT. The Court at
Washington is composed in very much the
same way that other Courts are constltu-
ted. There is the same fawning adulation,
the same intriguing, the same yenality, and
the same falseness.
The rank Of General, which was made
and enjoyed alone by General WASHING
TON. is to be revived for General GRANT /;
and the usual amount and quality of eulo-
gy has been again bestowed by gentlemen,
who no doubt expect their eloquent enco-
miums to be remembered by the future
President.
General GRANT Is compared to the illus
trious heroes Of ante-historic ages, who be-
came kings and founded nations or dynas-
ties. His military genius and achievements
are pronounced unparalleled by anything
in ancient or modern history. He is ex-
toIled as the Savior Of the nation-the man
above all others to whom the American
people are indebted for the maintenance
= and preservation of their Government and
their liberties.
Now 1t is not the purpose of this article
TO detract from the merits General GRANT,
or from the glory Of his military services,
He has been n skillful, brave and an efii-
cient commander. But his own estimate of
the character Of his services is not only the
best and the true one, but Is also an evil
dence of trait of character in the man,
which is his highest glory, but a trait which
no politician or courtler is capable of pos
sessing or appreciating. The sterling com
mon sense which enables General GRANT to
estimate himself at his real worth, and the
honest simplicity that prompts him upon
so many occasions to give expression to that
estimate, even when the most fulsome ad-
uation from Senators and Representatives,
and the official magnates of the land are
ringing in his ears, indicates a quality ot
real and true manhood, to which the atmos-
phere of Washington is generally fatal, and
would be far better guarantee of his fit
ness for the presidency than all the glitter
ing glories with which the venal eloquence
of professional politicians falsely encircle
his brows.
General GRANT is not only sensible and
modest but he is generous aud magnani-
nous. These are old fashioned virtues it
is true, and not much estimated now, es
pecially at Washington. Hence we hear
no word spoken by his eulogists in Con-
gress of that most glorious of all his acts,
the terms of capitulation which he granted
to his great and yirtuous adversary. Gem
eral LEE. In comparison with the magma
nimity he displayed upon that occasion,
when the brilliancy of victory that he |
knew would not only thrill the whole |
North with inexpressible joy, but would |
be heralded throughout the world as the |
most distinguished military success of
modern times, might well have blinded |
with vain glory spirit less generous and |
serene, all his merely military successes,
in the estimation of all true men, will be !
tame and lusterless. 1t is at such moments |
that the genuine metal oc true manhood |
appears. The brass and linsel of merely |
military glory reveals itself as base metal |
when compared to the pure gold of that
spirit which responds to the noblest senti- |
ments that ever animate the human breast. |
1t was not General GRANTS pre-eminent
military capacity that enabled him to
achieve the success that will bear his name
down to the latest posterity. That no one
better knows or has more frequently ex-
pressed than himself. 1t was his simple,
plain common sense, enabling him to exert
his military skill with precision and eff
cacy, undisturbed by visions of the glory
that was awaiting him-it was his generous
and magnanimous manhood that restrained
him from the pursuit of all other objects,
but the most judieious and efficient use of
the overwhelming power he possessed to
accomplish given purpose.
General GRAM, no doubt, deserves to be
honored; but Inc deserves it because he has
preserved those rare qualities which he
possesses in common with thousands of his
countrymen. under circumstances that
would have made fools or usurpers out of
every man of million made of such stuff
as compose his political euiogists.