New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-08-16

on an entirely different system. He now
saw that the fall of the Confederate gov
eminent was mere question of time. He
saw the hopes of the Confederates were
growing weaker every day. He saw that
General Lees forces were diminishing by
desertion. He saw that the resources Of his
enemy, both IN men and provisions, were
nearly at an end. He saw that General
Lees communications with the distant parts
of the South, on which he had been relying
for succor, were being cut of day by day.
He further saw that General Lees lines
were strongly intrenched, to storm which
would require useless expenditure OF life.
He therefore wisely concluded to avail
himself of the aids of time, opportunity and
circumstance True. wherever the chance
was presented for striking a telling blow
he availed himself Of it, and sometimes
with severe loss to the enemy. The result
proved that never was calculation more
closely and correctly made than by General
Grant in the siege of Richmond. He
stOrmad General Lees lines at the very
time when the cost to him in the lives OF
his men was comparatively small.
General Grants military character is not
based on any iron rule which he lays down
for his guidance-nOt upon any merely
routine system, to be adhered to under all
circumstances. And herein lies his genius
as a military man. In every pursuit and
calling in human affairs true genius con-
sists in the capacity to conceive the pecu-
liar circumstances and surroundings of
affairs under emergency. and the tact and
self possession to avail thereof at the critical
moment. Where success crowns the effort,
the question Of genius is no longer a
problem. Try General Grant by these
tests, and truth EFFORTS the admission that
he possesses military genius of the highest
order. Where severe and unremitting fight
ing was necessary, as at Fort DeneisOn; or
a deliberate calculation as to the timely
aid, as at Shiloh; or patient endurance
united with untiring energy, as at Vicks-
burg; or daring and impetuous valor, as at
Missionary Ridge; or the lavish expenditure
of blood temporarily with a view to the
ultimate faving of life, as at Chancellors
vile and SpOtsylvania; or patiently and
calmly Gliding his time," relying upon
what he fOresaw would be the develop
ments of the future, as at Richmond. On
every one of these occasions we see the
evidences of unmistakable genius in adapt
ing his action to the exigencies of the times.
General Grant has equally exhibited his
genius in his bearing and department as
man. Genius rarely undertakes itself in it's
estimate of it's own powers. General Grant
is aware of what he has accomplished, but
ne never vaunts of his achievements. No
man is less exacting in claiming all credit
to himself. He has always been willing
that his comrades in arms should share the
honors and the glory of victory with him
self. No man ever wore his honOrs more
meekly, or was less disposed to pre-
sumo upon them. He suffers not him
self to be annoyed by the unkind criticisms
of the envious upon his military course.
To his enemies, when conquered, he has
always shown himself generous and for
bearing. 1t is said he refused to receive
the rendered sword of General Lee. If so,
what stronger proof could he have offered
of his sympathy and magnanimity toward
fallen greatness The past can not be I'M
done. General Grants reputation and fame
rest upon foundation too strong to be
shaken by the titful gusts of detraction.
Envy and malignity can neither coax nor
deter the muse of history from recording
his achievements as those of one of the
greatest military commanders of his age.
The idea is fast and fixed in the American
heart that to General Grant more than to
any other man incomparably is due the
credit OF having saved the Union from dis
ruption, and transmitted it, with its teem-
ing blessings, to posterity. In far distant
time he will be canonized as having saved
from ACKNOWLEDGMENT his cOuntry-that
country of which Washington was the
founder and father Washington National
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