Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-08-05
Grants Bereavement.

The Cincinnati Enquirer Is ludicrously dole
full over the recent death in Grants stable
Among the things q1iG propria D'are-ibus, tits
difficult to find richer offering than this;
We feel that we but give voice to univer-
sal sentiment when we express heartfelt
confidence with our distinguished Chief Ma
gistrate, who has recently suffered the severest
of domestic Affections, in the loss Of one of the
most valued members Of his family circle
While we eutwine the cypress with the laurel,
the voice of criticism is hushed, and men of
all political creeds viii meet together on the
common plane Of strong human sympathy,
which the presence Of the Destroyer never
fails to evoke. This tendency, which IS so
general that it may be called an instinct, is
orc Of the best traits in our untcgenerate ma
ture. The Grim Reaper not only levels all
distinctions among bis victims, but suspends
or crldicates all animosiies among those whom
be spares to some future visit
The circumstances attending the bereave-
ment increase its pain, and add to the poig-
nancy of a grief which was in itself sufficient
TO bow down the stouteSt human heart Our
beloved President, wearicd with the cares and
responsibilities Of tie great Office recently
thrust upon him had just soaght the leisure
and relaxation Of asea-sidc holiday IIehadr re-
luctan;ly yielded TO the warning Of his medical
advisers and the urgent solicitations Of friends,
anxious not more fox lis own personal welfare
than for the good Of the nation, and sought to
rccuprratc lis wasted energies amid the sweet
oblivion Of Long Branch aud the charming
anodyne of ocean surf that layes its lovely
shores 1t would seem cruel providence that
interrupted his happy rcyeres with the sad
intelligence that soon flashed across the treach-
erous wires-couvertin Stetsou's into house
Of mourning, and robing the crst joyous beach
with drapcry:
WAsHINGToN, July pa post morton eX-
animation was made this afternoon of PreSi-
dent Grants trotting and breed mare Ada,
which died after several hours sickness this
morning She Could trot her mile in 2:22
Tue heart saddens as it contcmplates-even
at this distance of space and time-thc Great
Man of tie nation thus deeply afflicted, and
thus suddenly bereit of a much-loycd member
Of his family The story is but bali told in
the brief dispatch above quoted. Nothing is
said Of the strong bond Of affection which the
death Of Ada snapped in twain. The ruthless
telcgraphcr confines himself to ridgil facts,
and utterly ignores all that is beautiful and all
that is sentimental in the sorrowiul story He
might have given Us the touching death-bed
sccne-fUr such must lave been. Ada, being
Of Presidential connection, cannot have expired
is common mares go of. Not gripcs, goans
and couvusivc kicks, but like sweet cXhala-
tiou did the gentle Ada evauish from earth and
its troubles This deficiency Of the Associated
Press is haply supplied by a New York cores
pondeut, who assuages the general grief with
the assurance that " she died peacefully and az
ter very short illness" ltremains only for IL,
to add that the President, in his overwhelming
sorrow, telegraphed to Washington the need
less request that Ada be decently Inferred
We await, with such patience as our SORROW
will permit, the official announcement Of Ada'
demise, and the order to display the Natioua
bunting at half-mas! in honor Of her memory
Dearest Ada, thou hast left us,
And thy loss We all deplore.
Was il choc that bereft
Canst thou eat thy oats no more?