The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1868-10-29
Character oC GEN. Grant.

Hon. J. LathroY Motley, ez-Ninister
to Austria, delivered lecture in Boston
on the 2Oth instant Following is Il brief
extract therefrom -
Who Is Grant? Ny friends. there
have been times in our history when 1t
was necessary for men to ask each other,
who Is Mr.. So-and-so, just nominated by
this or that party as a candidate for the
Presidency OF the United States But
has 1t ever occurred to any child through
out the land, above the age Of six years.
TO ask this summer, who Is Sen. Grant
There are but few among the sons Of men
whose history Is identical with the history
Of their country. But the record of this
republic during the most eyentful years Of
its existence Is the record OF the candidate
whom we hope TO see elected. But sup
pose the question had been asked ten
years ago HAPPY some swain from the
Tar Vest might have told Us OF a retired
captain Of infantry, some So years of sge,
who had served through the Mexican war.
after graduating al = est Point had sub
segucntly retired 10 "a farm near St LrUlis.
but VINO, jl-t 9e+,re the a5tbreaiz Of the
rebellion had gone lato the leather busi-
ness nj Galena-a plain man IN his man
/ ECr, who was sometimes seen driving an
ox-teaIn, but never n balky one into the
streets Of st. Louis. but who never told
his neighbors that he had been in every
I battle Of the Mexican war, save Buena
/ Vista, and that he had been promoted
twice on the field for gallantrv. These
things being matters of course IN our
/ brave little army, the leathe1-dealer saw
small cause for taking airs thcreupon. and
+ II he nourished any ambition. as he seems
4 to have let ouc IN moment OF weakness.
( he had visions Of Z sidewalk. to be built
from ms own modest mansion to the rail
way station at GaIcua Suppose the aues-
tion asked a century hence. VIII there
be many persons so ignorant of history a.
TO ialtcr IN their reply 1t IS doubtful
! whether he has even yet been thoroughly
! appreciated. VIXEN the living man be
comes suddenly before our eyes an historic
/ parsonage, II is difficult, perhaps. to Judge
him IS carefully as We may the heroes Oh
the past. ! am no hero-worshiper. and II
has always seemed TO NE that the true
hero Of this most Important epoch in our
history Is the American People What
I ever was greatest and best throughout the
/ war was done by the people. And it Is
. exactly because Gen. Grant Is a singular
embodiment Of many Of the most promi-
nent characteristics and best virtues OF
that people that he seems the fttest man
10 be chosen our Chief Magistrate. be-
( iIeve that from the time our Generalissino
received the surrender Of the rebel armies
/ Up to the period when he became the can
u-date OF 4 distinct party organization, il
+ was rare enough 10 find any disposition to
deJract from his fame For one. I con
/ Tess that the sentiment | find most. neces-
sary TO guard against when contemplafino
his wondrous career, and the strange silll-
/ picity and repose OF his character, Is Z
tendency TO oyer-enthusiasln. Through
the misty atmosphere which belongs t
. the past, conspicuous personages are apt
TO dllate into more than mortal proper
tions, while we are, not unreasonably. In
cllned To sean very closely the defects anc
the pretensions OF c0tem porary greatness
Ia truth, the very simplicity Of Genera
4. Grants character makes the great thing.
which he did seem simple, too There
can be no surer test OF power than the
ease with which II acconlpIishes herculear
tasks; yet the spectator. deceived by
symmetry Itself, often mistakes the colos
sal for the commonplace. We all seen
afraid Of uttering that one word in rezarc
to this shy, tranquil, unobtrus:ye man
which really characterizes him-the wore
genius. The very modesty of the maj
himself seems TO rebuke all tendency t,
exaggeration. Vet, after al, this is ex
actly what Gen. Sherman says in his ia
NOUS and beautiful letter, while av .idin.
the phrase: Ny only point Of doubt wa
in your knowledge OF grand strategy, anc
Of books of science ahd history but
confess your common sense seems to hav
supplied al JEase. And what Is tha
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