The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-11-09
THE TRIUMPH!

Of the many achievements won by Grant,
that of Tuesday last eclipses them ALL
Forts Henry and Donelson the first complete
victories of the war were like electric flashes
through the hearts of the nation. Nicks-
burg, Shilo, Lookout Mountain, followed by
the Wilderness ard the bloody series of bat
ties that eliminated at Appomattox with
the surrender of Lee, were mighty triumphs,
which filed the loyal hearts OF the nation
with hope and joy. But these were the
triumphs of arms, all save the final one,
subject to be reversed at any hour by the
uncertainty and shifting fortunes OF war.
The victories of the battle field could not
be regarded as secure, till by the voice OF
grateful people the greatest captain OF
the age was called to administer for four
years the government his military genus
had contributed so largely towards saving.
This was done when the lustre OF a bril-
liant military career was, like halo enclr-
cling the head of the renowned captain
The foul breath of SANDER found but little
at that time against Grant to faint the
public ear with and the horrors of fierce
rebellion, with its pardoned and released,
but independent defiant and millions were
banded as the Democratic party, declaring
that the lost cause was not yet lost, and
that the Amendments to the Constitution
should be annulled, and all the legislation
passed by Congress to secure the fruits OF
the bloody struggle repealed. In the face
of this danger it was not surprising that
the people gathered about their chief and
elevate him to the executive chair, and
placed in his firm hands the reins of Govern
ment for four years.
But four years of civil administration.
and of profound peace, had necessarily
cooled the passions of the people and dis
PEELED the fears that the threats of unre-
pentent rebels served to keep alive and
vicilant. Those breathings of defiance and
opposition to the will of the great loyal
majority of the nation had not only be-
come hushed, but acquiescence in the pol
icy of the Republican party was unreserv-
edly promised, coupled with loud profes-
sions of peace, amnesty and fraternal feel
ing. This movement was inaugurated and
led by men who had formerly been conspic-
uous and active in the Republican party;
who had been esteemed as leaders of the
party. These former leaders OF the
people made personal issue against Grant
o,I ,roro ,o;pa1 hv ho Orpo nj 1ed DpmO.
cratic party, and on a purely Republican
platform assailed the leader of the Union
Armies who had shown himself as faithful,
wise and prudent in peace, and as the head
of civil affairs, as he had been in the com.
mand Of immense armies. Such cam
paign of SANDER, personal abuse and Will
perat1on, no President since Washington
has ever been subjected to. Against
great accusers he uttered not word nor
deigned to reply, merely remarking after
one of the greatest had assailed him in the
most vituperative speech ever delivered in
the United States Senate, that he had no
reply in words to make, but would place
his acts beside his traducers cords and sub
init them to the American people. That
people, it would seem, calmly and with
just indignation listened to all the charges
heaped upon the head of the quiet captain,
and when the hour came for them to speak,
they broke forth, as it were, in one pro-
longued shout which was echoed from the
lakes to the gulf of Mexico and from the
surf beaten shores of Rhode Island, to the
Golden Gate of the Pacific, proclaimine
their chieftain not guilty of the foul charges
made against him; and commanding him
to again take charge of their Government
for four years more! This triumphant vim
dication of Grant is wreath added to the
chaplet that already adorned his brow, sur
passing all former honors, and along side
of which his greatest military achieve
ments pale. Grant in his silent majesty is
lifted in triumph by admiring and justice
loving millions above the heads OF his hum
bled revilers. Such triumph as that OF
Tuesday last is vouchsafed to few men on
this earth.