New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-07-04
Ex. Gov. Ogiesby on Gen. Grant.
sP-eeh at Decatur. III, June Is. s72.

This man, who was graduate of West
Point, who had been ten years in the regular
army, living i'll obscurity in the State of Him
DIS, at Gaiena, came out and grew and grew
until he stood a giant above us all. You
nave many times seriously doubted whether
ne did gain the victories or not. You have
SAID, he is not a genius that he has no skill
that he Is not an able man. Gentlemen, he
was the man who dld gain our victories, as
sure as YOU hear my unworthy voice. As
simple as a child as mOStentatinus rs n boy:
as pure and honest at heart as our own great
Lincoln who never in his life took a far
thing dishonesty from any man; who was
commander IN the army and could have sold
cotton bales by the millions, and have sur
reptitiouslv amassed fortune--nevcr dis
honestly took one cent. lie came back with
Il little money saved frnni his salary, and as
the pay was comparatively small for what he
bad do.ic Tor orr country. the people gave
him out OF abundant hearts, substantial to-
kens OF their regard. When lac took the COM
mand from ne at Cairo in 1861, he was so
poor that it was three months before he was
able to buy uniform suitable to his rank as
BrISadier General. Yes, the generous people
gave him presents gave him 800 900, be
heye, who could have robbed the country OF
hhllloils, mad he been corrupt man. Neither
you nor would possibly have been the wiser
OF it. They gave him presents of some horses
and fine cattle he accepted, just IS Sher-
man and Sheridan did--iust as most of them
did. Did he do it hidincly? Didn't he do it
openly before the world? | made up my
mind not To make any fuss about il as long
as | was not giving picayme Of the money.
The truth about il Is, You are not mad ut him
at ail--you don't care one cent you are silly
enough To 90 around and make believe there
Is something the matter. Does anybody to-
day regret that George Washington was
elected twice: Does anybody regret that
Thomas jefferson was elected twice? that
James Madison was? that James Monroe
was or that Andrew jackson was elected
twice" jackson was great man, bold and
defiant as Il hOn-who now regrets his re-
election? The time came around when AbTa-
ham Lincoln was reelected. Now, where
is there a voice to call back that act ? Wash
ington was both q General and a civilian
Then came Abraham Lincoln in the midst
OF war, of whom the American people said,
he is now the same as a warrior. Here is
another man "who led our armies trium-
phantly on TO victory" American citizens,
ask YOU everywhere if it is not entirely
compatible with human justice, human charity,
human decency, with the evidence of things,
that that man should have his eight years.
lie is the last man we have i'll the category.
If the American people shall send General
Grant intD private life, defeated and dis
honored, American history will weep for a
thousand years over the mistake. We must
be careful about this great man; this true
defender of our liberties. Take the verdict
of Lyman Trumbull, who was drawn to
defend him last December; he pronounced
him 4 man without guile u man of sincerity
OF heart of inc0rruptible integrity.