The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-05-22
GENERAL, GRANT AS A FARMER.

GENERAL GRANT AS A FARMER.
The attempt that is now making to com
pare Grant and Greeley as professional
soldier with peaceful farmer, is without
adequate foundation in fact.
General Grant was educated at West
Point, it is true, and participated in the
Mexican war with credit. He, however, re-
signed soon after, and devoted himself to
the pursuits of civil life. ...s -...az.
1t is most creditable to him that, finding
the profession of civil engineering for which
he was especially fitted crowded, he
turned to the farm to seek support for HIM
self and family. He was not above labor
ing with his hands. 1t will interest thou
sands to know that, like themselves, he
wore old clothes and hardened his brown
hands in daily toll. He cut wood from his
land and hauled it into market in st. Louis
to increase the little income upon which
his family depended for living. lie did
this rather than to remain a pensioner up
on the government that had more officers
upon its rolls than its service required.
We are sure that this fact is a better eXhi-
bition of his genuine manliness than any
achievement of his military career. Gene
raj Grant still keeps farm and works
it. He owns every chicken, every tool
and household utensil on it. He directs
every detail of cropping, stock-growing,
and farm management generally.
1t was our privilege not long since to
hear him speak in his quiet way of this
farm, and of his plans of improving it,.
His conversation indicated deep interest in
agriculture, and an intimate acquaintance
with its modern canons. He told US of his
stock, and his views of feeding, Of the econ
omy achieved by applying all manures
fresh, as top dressing to grass, and evinced
that familiarity with practical farming
found only among those who follow the
pursuit or have real interest in it. They
mistake widely who imagine that Gen.
Grant is mere lover of horses
He has the healthy attachment
to agriculture, which nearly all really
great men of the Saxon race develop wher-
ever any chance at all is given them. His
sympathies are with the industrial masses
of the people, for he hnoaos their wants
and trials, as well as their great nobleness
and virtue, by actual contact with them,
and participation in their pursuits. And
so, quite naturally, there has sprung up be-
tween them quiet sympathy, not easily
understood by those who see only the public
side of his character. No true man talks
with Gen. Grant without feeling impressed
with his hearty desire to do right, and deal
Justly with all interests. He may not be
struck with brilliant original views, or fine
theories, but here is man who clearly APP
preciates the cares and burdens and diff
culties under which the toiling millions
seek their bread. Here is man who, in
the brief moments which the crowdmg
cares of state give him, thinks of his farm
on the distant Mississippi, and provides
means and methods to make it profitable,
who is looking forward to the farm as
place of retirement from public cares, to
seek in rural pursuits the rest which a
grateful country will consent to award him
at the close of his next term. Such is the
man whom the Republican party presents
for the suffrages of the American people.
No professional soldier, but a citizen soldier,
who, obligated to serve the country in war,
resigned when his services were no longer
needed, rather than to burden the country
with bis support, and sought an honest
living on Western farm who, called
again to war, came forth from humble life,
led the armies of the nation to victory,
and, honored with the highest place, still
turns lovingly to the farm and spends the
larger portion Of his small savings in inn
proving its condition and preparing it for his
future home. He is emphatically a man Of
the people. ....
The politicians misunderstood and dis
like him, but in spite of occasional mis-
takes and errors of judgment, his adminis-
tration has been great success. The peo-
pie will rally to his support as they did