Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-08-17
Collector Russell on Gen. Grant.

Nbi''NVi tilNNfti VII NNiis NiNhts
At the meeting of the Army Of the Gulf
in Boston on Friday, Judge Russell was CALI
ed upon to speak to toast in praise Of Gen.
Grant, and did so in his best manner lie
said
IL is a most pleasant duty to respond to a
sentiment in honor Of a man who is not only
the official head Of this Union, but who was
foremost in saving this Union And yet it
is not very easy for me to respond to a toast
in this presence in favor Of the commander
in-chief Of the army and navy, orl do not un-
derstand one'half | have heard here tonight.
Well, il seems to me that Gen Grant, by
his life, as well as by his position represents
the strength and glory Of the United States.
lie came to his place from peaceful pursuit.
Our country does not waste her substance by
supporting a vast standing army. She gives
military education to a few Of her chill
dren. Her States encourage a volunteer mi
litia when they happen to have wise and
patriotic Governor, as we happened to have
twelve years ago in Massachusetts,, as the
rescue Of Washington bore witness. The
country leaves each man TO pursue his own
chosen avocation, knowing well that in an
emergency with summons or without a
summons, every man will come and rally
round the banners of his invaded country
The nation that found two millions Of men
ready to fight for their country is not sunk in
corruption, and is not destined to an early
death A voice 1t won't die to.night) No,
not tonight, but we will have the wake all
the same (Iaughter.)
1t has become fashionabo---it seems to be
thought patriotic, to despair Of the republic
Men fix their eyes on a few faults of few
men, and exoggeratc those faults till they
forget all that is noble and hopeful in their
eountry's history True, we shall never
more see the America Of our fathers, because
by heroism and devotion America has been
TRANSPORTED into a more glorious form. That
herosm has not only saved US once. II is
forever a strength aud glory. The standing
army, the invisible army, the Grand Army Of
the Republic, is an assurance of the safety
Of our republic You saved America once,
and you saved her for q thousand years In
every time Of danger, aud in every time Of
conflict, the deeds you have done will be act
ed over. The mutilated gunner will once
more drag his limbs across the deck to fire
one more gun, and, bending over the shrouds,
the grand old admiral will forever inspire
his men. cannot appreciate the skill and
strategy Of Gen Grant, | can only admire I;
but one thing | can appreciate as well as adj
mire, his pluck, his courage, and his will.
And, while politics have no place here, may
safely praise one act Of the President. was
glad to hear your voice raised this morning
as it was recently raised in Congress, in favor
Of that poor despised, unfriended interest,
once 80 powerful, now so cosemptible, Amer
can commerce. The nearest, most practical
duty Of every lover Of America, is to aid in
restoring the flag to its once proud position.
| gladly recall the fact that the President,
twice during the recent session, sent special
messages urging upon Congress legislation in
favor Of our commerce If is docreed that
the flag which he saved on the land shall no
more wave as Of old in glory over the sea,
it is not the fault of President Grant.
One other thought | have recently seen
an attack On Che president written by one Of
those critics who lay grieyous burdens on men,
not lifting finger to remove them and this
gentleman says that this supplemented pres.
ident has no great policy" that his idea is
in peace to have government administered
faithfully; to have the revenues collected
honestly; disbursements made properly; all
things done economically; to enforce the laws,
and carry out the will Of the people. He
should have added, to preserve peace and pro-
mote prosperity. And as | read this sketch
of an assailant / said Here is the portrait
of a patriot president The reviewer should
have added what he said of another dlstin-
guished statesman "lIe believes in COM
mon schools, and does not believe in political
science" Glorious creed for an American
statesman--frm faith in the grand, practical
fact of common schools, bitter distrust of those
fantasies which are sometimes known as "polit-
ical science" | think the president believes
in common schools, and in common sense, and
in the common people, and they believe in
him. They are contented with the absence
Of any great foreign policy, which might
plunge us into war, instead of that perfect
neutrality which no man in America dreams
of disturbing. They have read that that gov
ernment is best administered which governs
least. Peace and prosperity satisfy them,
and if danger comes they have faith that the
brain which planned the campaign of Vicks.
burg, and the will which pushed through the
campaign of Richmond, backed by your arms,
soldiers and sailors, can guard our national
honor against assaults at home or abroad and
| gladly join you in honoring the leader
Whose armor Is his honest thought
Aud simple truth his utmost skill.n