The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-05-11
THE GRADE OF GENERAL I'm THE
ARMY,
Eloquent Speeches I'm Praise OF Genera
Grant.


The House of Representatives on last Fri
day passed bill, with only eleven votes
against it, to revive the grade of General in
the United States Army, which rank was
created for General Washington, and is now
intended for General Grant. Several elo-
quent speeches we're made in favor of the bill
by members OF every political shade. Mr..
Deming, in addressing the House in explana
ton and advocacy of the bill, said
This bill has been reported as a recon-
pense for the Republics illustrious defender.
In introducing the bill he was constrained to
freshen the recollection of the House Of the
obligations of the country to General Grant
in many disheartening hours of extremity and
peril. Rewards were paid in all ages to vic
torious Generals Mr. Deming said in ages
long anterior to the most ancient records VIC
torious Generals became Kings and founders
Of dynasties. Mr.. Deming then referred to
the conversation between Grant and Bueh,
after the battle of Shiloh, when Grant was
criticised for fighting with his back to the
Tennessee river, and replied to the question
where he would have retreated, that he did
not mean to retreat, adding that, if forced to
retreat, the transports would have been sufii-
cent to carry away all who survived. In one
important respect, he contended that the bat.
tie of Shiloh accomplished more towards the
eventual success of our national arms than
any battle fought in the war. 1t was an ex-
pertinent that first tested the respective mate
rails and stamina of the belligerents. 1t was
the first budding together of the two people
Ill hand 10 hand fight. and when the enemy
retreated from that field he retreated with his
arrogance tanned and his dream of invncibil-
ity dispelled forever. From that terrible day
no Sontherner even ventured 10 dispute the
courage or manllness of his adversary, for
there was weeping and lamenting in every
Southern home. He then referred in lofty
terms to the services of the Lieutenant Gen
eral in the Nicksburg campaign, the saving
, Of army ambulances at Chattanooga, and the
shouts OF triumph eliminating at the capture
of Petersburgh and Richmond, and surrender
OF the rebel armies, and challenged the
world to produce his equal in glory.
Mr.. Raymond also addressed the House in
support OF the bill. He said
such honors MS this bill proposes to Gre
ate, or, If not to create. to revive for higher
and still greater occasions. because the man
, for whose head they are TO be clustered
whether we but consider his private worth,
+, his patriotism. his distinguished services in
the field, in which he stands to this great ma
tion o-day, in which be will stand for oil time
his desert His services will be remembered
not in this country alone, but in all lands
where military proves stands foremost, and
for them we cannot give too much Of recogni-
ton or of honors. Nor will this nation ever
forget what it owes to him. ia all human prob
abiiity-the perpetuity of,his Government. No
words can be found fitting in his eulogv.
rejoice that this bill has been brought forward
TO do him honor Would that il was in our
power to magnify. to augment to any extent,
the honors we would pay; for it is only by
such recognition from those they serve that
great men ever receive fitting rewards. II is
not the genius of our Institutions to give I'M
due rewards even for such material services
as these. But certainly the nation does not
lack a grateful heart. Ii shall reward him
cheerfully and with the heartiest reclamation
from one end Of the land to the other. He
shall be honored and endeared TO us all as the
savior of the natou--as the man who rescued
from danger aud destruction the priceless
| principles of self government. Nothing Snail
remove them. HIS name will remind them Of
/ his services. and. when he shall die and min
! gle his dust with the dust of our common
! earth, he shall descend TO an honored grave
with benedictions- everything that a
great people can accumulate around his meul-
DRY. and that can perpetuate this service
Let this bill, therefore, pass by a unanimous
vote of the House. Not only this. but let
whatever else can be done, be done with free
cordial, hearty good will. such his that with
which the nation always rewards those who
serve the people.
Mr.. Stevens spoke in favor of his amend
ment limiting the grade of Lieutenant Gene
raj. but said that whether it was adopted or
not he would vote for the bill:
Il agree, said he, with the gentleman from
New York, Mr. Raymond who is willing,
not only to promote General Grant to this Of
fee, but, as I understood him. and | hope
did not misunderstood him, to a higher office
/ whenever the happy moment shall come.
Laughter and applause.
Mr.. Shelabarger claimed as an additional
merit of General Grant, that he had proposed
the destructiod Of slavery nearly a month be-
fore the proclamation of emancipation, and
he sent up and had read letter from General
Grant to Mr.. Washburne. oil Illinois, dated
Eicksburg, August 3oth, 1868, in which that
view is expressed.