The Portland daily press., 1868-10-29
MISCELLANY.
George william Curtis ON Grant.

UeOfxe WhIam Cufths on GSfHnt.
In the Grafton delivered by George William
Curtis on the occasion of the dedication of
the monument to General Sedgwiek at West
Point, occurs the following splendid tribute
to Sedgwick's great leader, Grant:
On the Both of April, 1865, President LIN
coin wrote to Acknowledgement UianC.
"And now, with brave army and a just
cause. NAV God sustain you" And, indeed,
if the names of those who win battles That
save civilization are dear to the heart OF man,
how cherished will be that OF the taciturn,
tenacious soldier whom nothing could shake
off from success, Neither the tool OF politi-
cal tricksters nor the dupe of his own ambi-
ton, he showed himself in the final campaign
the true type of American genius in action.
Grimly in earnest, he knew that war is not
Cancellation, and that the rebellion was to be
suppressed, and suppressed only by the de-
struction of rebel life and rebel supplies.
He knew that we could better lose hundred
lives than the rebellion could lose fifty; and
he knew also that terrible sacrifice was the
least bloody road to peace. Breaking up on
the Rapidan, in early May, he forced his fiery
way through the wilderness, and was called
butcher. By terrible blows he drove the
enemy, by swift and silent marches he flank
ed him, and was called blunderer. By one
movements his resistless will threw his whole
army over the James, aud forced the enemy
into his capital, and he was called incapable.
The roses of peace faded, and the victory was
not won. The bells of the 4th of July died
away, and the victory was not won. "Wlll
he do it ?" asked in whispers the lovers of
liberty. "He'll do no more" shouted the
exultant friends of the rebellion. They did
not know the man. Thep did not remember
ViokSbnro thQu did rpynprnhnr Chatta-
nooga. Il shall fight it out on this line if it
takes all summer" was the only reply. 1t
did take all summer. 1t took all winter.
But he fought it out and followed up that
line to victory. Undismayed by delay, I'M
disturbed by Impotence, holding Richmond
in both hands, he ordered Thomas to ami
hilate Hood-and he did it,. He ordered
Terry to take Fort Fisher-and he took it,
He ordered Sheridan to sweep the Shenando-
ah-and he secured it clean. And Sherman
where was he? Suddenly the thick cloud of
loyal doubts and fears and of rebel rumors
parted, and revealed Sherman saunteriDg
through Georgia eating turkeys and sweet
potatoes. Like gnat, Wade Hampton hov-
cred upon his path, trying to sting, and was
brushed away. A gust OF Wheeler's cavalry
blew off Kilpatrick's hat. Fort McAllister
crumbled at Sherman's touch. Hardee stole
from Savannah like thief in the hight. The
oSiioi VI Ocuiudu presence UuuuFVU niles
away emptied Charleston of rebel troops, as
when huge craft passes up the river the wa
tors recede from tie distant lands. Across
Georgia, across South Carolina into North
Carolina, he moved unopposed, spreading his
terrible wings and scOruging the land with
fire. Then with the accumulated force of
fragments Johnston dashed against one OF
his arms at Bentonville. Sherman threw
him PROSTATE in the dust with one hand and
stretched out the other to grasp that of his
great commander on the James. The silent
captain by the liver, still holding his antago-
mist last in his capital had now shown, by the
end of March, that the army OF that antag-
onist was the rebellion and he prepared to
strike. At the exteme left of his line the
sting of the swift and fiery Sheridan struck
the enemy first. He WINGED and sullenly re-
coied. But sharper grew the sting; swifter
and more fiery; until the word came 'Sheri-
dan is sweeping all before him from the
Westw Then the genius of the great captain,
seconded by the tireless valor of his soldiers,
lightened all along the line, struck every
where at once, burst over the enemy's works,
crushed his ranks, forced his retreat, and at
the same moment, the master loosening his
victorious columns in pursuit, checked the
rebel flight and overwhelmed Lee and his
army, as the Red Sea engulfed Pharaoh and
his host. So opened and closed the great
campaign. So the army of the Potomac,
often baff1ed, struck an immortal blow and
gave the right hand of fellowship to their
brethren of the West. So the silent captain,
when all his lieutenants had secured their
separate fame, put ON the crown of victory
and ended civil war. But with what mourn
full and plying eyes did Liberty survey her
triumphs, bought as all her great ,riumphs
have been, with tears and blood and heart
breaks {.