The Shasta courier., 1868-12-19
SHASTA COURIER.
c;.ueral Grant and General Thomas.

Tho most remarkable part of Grants be-
bov;or since his return to Washington Is the
bov;.b republicanism that he now Demon
as:,.os a trifie more fraternal asd humorous
shan he was. as if feeling that the stern
.ho,lder straps are loosening, and that the
familiar era of civil magistracy is about TO
begin. - ho
been gossipy. lively fishermen, like General
Simmer. the Treasurer of the United States
Simmer who takes rod and net every
Sunday morning and g fishing" the Little
Falls or Four Mile Run; like Fitzpatrick, the
merry jouster of the Essex District and wo
menkind. who returns baffled from the fight
with Butler the other day, to receive the jests
of the General-in-Chief.
+" He (Butlcr) is mighty smart fellow" ="
said the General, some time ago be " won't
deny that himself"
Colfax also took dinner with Grant the
other day, end it was demonstrated that
neither was displeased with his associate ups
on the ticket. The General finds Washing
ton much liveier than when he departed,
several of his companions-in-arms being here
among them, the solid figure OF General
Thomas. who is probably regarded as the
most trustworthy officer IN the United States
service. | am not sure that General Grant
does not lead this opinion. The docihty OF
Meade and the - dash" OF Sheridan, have
made their mark upon Grant, but instances
are trite where he has expressed himself as
nearly hero-worshpper in the contemplation
of the colossal calmness of Pap" Thomas
on the field of battle-his judgment, held
poised in his thoughtful blue eyes till the in
stantof decision, when the field of battle turns
ha
gravity of Webster the action and eloquence
If CLAW were at once imposed. Thomas is a
fine example of the splendor of the Virginia
intellect when working like Washington in
the line of duty and patriotism. In bearing
in self. respect. in real martial manliness, he
is as much like Washington as any con tenn
porary character. The same even revolution
of his mind is noticeable, capable on neces
sity of leaping out of its preferred method
into exhibitions Of genius-willng to retreat
across the Jerseys, but able to smlte like
lightning at Princeton.
The grade of General will be filled by
Grant. unless Mr.. johnson is ungracious
enough to wish to take a chance at it, but 1t
ia not probable that he will find any of the
great Major Generals willing to take his COM
mission. So will promotion be made to the
Lieutenant Generalcy, and incline to the
belief that General Grant will follow the
course of his Judgment and nominate Gener-
al Thomas. was in group OF army officers
the other day, all of them attached to the
person of Grant, and they expressed the as.
stred opinion that Grant would not only fill
the grade of General when it becam, vacant,
but would advise against abolishing it, un
willing to takethe position that be is the only
soldier worthy ofsuch exatation. 1t may be
that Congress should take contrary course
none the less honorable to the General, and
against his will vacate till another victorious
war shall come, the grade he has adorned
with such civil as well as military virtues.
These exceptional titles, twice or thrice
conferred, become exacting institutions, and
lead us away from the litany of our demo,
cratic faith. The rank of - General made
General Grant no grander; it was an assump-
ZION that an extraordinary title was the only
way of expressing his services. whereas, by
cur plain democratic faith, the title should
belittle the man, too much buttons and
sash does not point to the tete d'drmee, but
dnwn toward the Drum Major Washington
Cor. Chisago Tribune