Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1868-06-05
BULLETIN, VOL. 8, NO. 40.


Says Deming, in his Life Of General
Grant:
Judged by his mere words, Grant is
nothing judged bv his actions, he can make
no preiensions to brilliant genins, to profun>
dity of requirement, 10 euridniou in any do-
partment of human thought. Nature ems
dowed him with strength Of will, an equab,e
temper, a sound, practicable, well balanced
understanding and nurture has contribu-
ted to develop and foster these natural en-
dowments. From his West Point education
be derived substantial and useful knows
edge, and the edge and discipline which sci>
entitic and mathematical study impaired to
an intellect whose native temper was for
hard service rather than gli.tering display.
His experience in the Mexican war, in from
tier life. and in rough civil employment, in>
vigorated his practical resources familiarized
him with various phases Of American char
acter, and trained him in the homely tasks OF
American life. His hard labor in the civil
war strengthened and nerved the sturdy Wig.
or Of bis understanding and will, endowed
lin with that selfselianee which can ohly
he acquired in its pientitude BY the hsbaaal
mastery OF those difficulties which are pro,
nounced insurmountable. His varied comi
merce with the world, and tho vicisitudes oi
his career, have made him thoroughly &C.
quainted with men and he is not easily be-
guiled or deceived. lie has that stout indie.
pendence Of purpose which is not plant to
the purpose of others. There is in him
naught oil that yaciliation or oscillation which
is fatal to all earnest decision but he makes
up his mind rapidly, and forthwith bends
every energy to the execution Of its irrevoca>
bic behests. This combination Of endow.
ments, accomplishments, experience, have
invested him with that rare force and vols
ume of power which conqners and COM
mands success. He has strength Of eonvic>
tion, combined with deference for the popu.
lar will, and none Of that innexible selfsuf.
ficiency which discards the advice and scorns
the opinion of others. Justice is with him
Iredominating attribute. He is devoted
TO the right, without protesting any super.
cilious contempt for the expedient. He is
faithful in bis friendships; sincere in his
professions superior to all envy; generous
In bis appreciation and condemnation of 9th
ers truthful, honorable. upright in all his
dealings aud converse with his fellow men
and ardent and tender in his domestic affee.
tions.
No public man who ever lived has illus>
trated himself less by language, either oral
or written. Grant must be estimated by
bis actions alone; for what be says will sey>
er aid your comprehension Of the man. He
talks, aud talks we'll, but his conversation
reveals merely the surface Of his mind and
what Of geauine resource is in its depths,
you must investigate the process I have in,
dicated. No one doubts that be has tenac.
iiy Of win but defy you to find satisfacto.
~ proof of it in any OF bis sayings. No one
disputes his patriotism !; but what ardent har.
rangue has he ever uttered? No one fails
to recognize bis manly friendship for Sher>
man but it is not demonstrated by the word
or manner. No one disbeleyes in his cour.
age; but ysu viii search in vain to discover
it from his utterances. What there is in
him ~ warrior, you must study from the
way in which he translated his thoughts into
deeds, for you will never learn it BY his
speeches. What Of administrative power
there is in him, you must learn from the
record for you will be deceived by bis pro.
fessions. Meeting every emergency in the
varied control he has exercised over turbu-
lent States and disorgan;zed societies By the
most apf fropr,ate measures Of redress, he yet,
disclaims ability TO govern. He is, in short,
> man Of action, and not Of words. BE be,
!ieves in the essential equality Of all man
kind, and that the time is now for iss en-
bodiment into government but We must
earn this rom the Jealous discharge Of du>
lies which contribute to that end, instead of
from any pledges which be has endorsed.
He believes that which is called the spolicy
of the nation" should receive its direction
and guidance from the Legislative, rather
than the executive branch of the govern
ment; but this is taught By his deeds, and
not by bis declarations, unless il may be in
ferred from the avowal, "No theory Of my
own will ever stand in the way Of executing
NY order may receive from these il su.
lhovifv ovap mo ~