The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-26
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1858.
The President al Campaign-Ga neral
Giant

by the strenuous ana acuV6 exerLlOus VI tuo
partizans on both sides. The Republicans are
beginning to realize that Notwithstanding the
deserved popularity Of their candidates, the
Justice of their cadse, and the Objectionable
character of the principles, the platform, and
the avowed objects of the Democratic party, 1t
will be at least prudent, if not necessary, to
make an earnest effort to achieve the great poll
tical victory demanded by the highest interests
of the nation. The defeat of the Democracy
in all important political contests has become
so much a matter of course, in recent years.
that there was for a time some danger that
many patriotic men would deem their indi-
vidual exertion unnecessary to swell the
volume of triumphant majority over an
organization fore-doomed to defeat. While
there is no good cause for fear of the result, it
ia vain to expect that Republican apathy can
contend successfully against Democratic ac-
tivity, or that any party, however strong in
numbers, can permanently retain power in
this country if it fails to urge its claims to
popular support earnestly, vigorously, and
constantly.
The Republicans possess an immense ad-
vantage in their Presidential nominee. If no
parties had ever existed, any man who had
rendered such services as have signalized the
brilliant career of General Grant, would be-
come the unanimous choice of the Electoral
College. 1t is cheering and an encouraging
fact that his two great military predecessors,
Washington and Jackson, were scarcely lsss
distinguished for their civil than their warlike
services, and that they stand foremost on the
roll of American Presidents for popularity aud
usefulness. Like Grant, they were both men
of action rather than of words, making no
oratorical displays, but possessing, like our
modern hero, infinitely superior powers in
their correct judgment and wonderful execu-
tive capacity.
The leading features in General Grants ca
reer are universally known. He rose from an
obscure position in which he learned the real
wants and sentiments of the people by sharing
their struggles and privations, and every step
of his advancement was manifestly due to su-
perior energy and capacity displayed in trying
emergencies. His temporary retirement from
the army and struggles to gain livelihood as
farmer, wood-cutter or tanner, while they pro
woke the sneers of the aristocratic organs OF
the Democracy, tend to endear him to the mass
of voters by the practical proof they afford of his
familiarity with their condition and necessities
He cannot boast, like Seymour, of long line
of luxurious ancestors, but his expert
ences combine the most arduous, varied,
and perilous military service at frontier posts,
in Mexico, and in every form of attack against
the Rebellion, with an arduous struggle against
adverse fortune in the battle of life as civilian
as well as the severe training in political
affairs which necessarily resulted from his
position during the last three years at Wash
ington, while the reconstruction policy of the
nation was being established. Tried in many
novel emergencies he has never been found
wanting, and it is not wonderful that his ex-
traordinary personal qualities and achieve
ments won for him not only the proud tribute
of a unanimous nomination by the dominant
party of the country but repeated indications
on the part of the Democracy that they would
gladly have made him their standard-bearer,
If he had been willing to accept that question
able honor.
While the general features of his unparal-
leled career are we'll known, the war was SO
pregnant with great events that the people
have scarcely yet had time to fully compre
hend in detail the many difficulties he sur
mounted and the extraordinary qualities ht
displayed. AS they are gradually brought tC
light by the researches of his biographers
thousands of interesting incidents are related
which, although each may be of comparative
insiguifcanoe in ITSELF shed, in the aggregate
new lustre upon the brilliancy of his fame
Proofs are multiplied that he rises far abov'
the class Of accidental celebrities; and that hi
repeated successes are due to his inheren
greatness, and to the sagacious and indomita
BILE spirit that is the master, instead of the crea
ture of circumstances. He won victories wher'
other Generals would have been overwhelmed
by disgraceful defeats, and aiming throughou
at great results, he achieved them despite o
difficulties which more timid spirits woulc
have deemed insurmountaole. His calm, wise
dauntless spirit has been displayed in an equa
degree, and in manner scarcely less service
able to the country since the surrender o
Lees army, not only by the conditions im
posed upon the defeated Rebel cohorts, but b.
the orders issued in reference to reconstruc
tioD, by recommendations to Congress, and bJ
the temporary management of the Office of tn
War Department. 81 want hero, no un
common want" sang Lord Byron. Tn
American people have in General Grant on
ubouo tbau NOV walI dalioht n honor ar