The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-12-07
The Savior of the Union.

Under the above caption, Lloyd's London
Newspaper. one of the leading daIies Of
England, has the following article with ref
ercnce to General Grant. 1t shows the light
in which his career is viewed by impartial
observers men capable of understanding
and approaching his services and sacrifices.
and should be read attentively by all who
desire TO form Just estimate of the retiring
President. Ii was written Immediately after
the first election news had reached England,
when it was supposed that Mr.. Tilden was
the President elect:
The return Of Mr.. Tilden as President Of
the United States, lead the political student
TO reflect OH the fate of the great soldier who
il about to leave the vast, uncomfortable
White House; and to retire, aftera long pub
lie life to ol'sctlriy. and. we fear, to taste
the bitterness that all ungrateful country
drives into the h. art Of a public servant. A
recent writer on the retiring President has
observed:
| M"Had General Grant accom- .iishetl half az
much for England as he did for the United
States, honors and fortune would have rain
| ed upon him. Vast estates and great titles
have been lavishly bestowed in England for
services not worthy to be compared with
those of The distinguished soldier across the
Atlantic. for whom few have now even Il
yond word"
| Gen. Grants services TO his country are.
indeed. priceless. 1t was he who led a dis
rourged army. 1t was he who stalked from
| bait G. field TO battle fitlsl-from Shiloh 70
! Neutrality-suspicious. the timorous advice OF
| his companions anG suptriors in Srtn.;
and by his own iron will and unfalteriu.
courage saved his country. His advance
upon the Southern foe was resistlrss. Stern
| in the field. he became modest and kind in
the co. neil chamber. IL was Ee who prevent
ed the trial of General Lee as q traitor and
claimed him as his prisoner of war under pa
role. 1t had been better for his famebetter
let us hasten to add for the fame of his co.,li-
trymen as nation, had he kept clcsr of pol
tics. For, although his best friends cannot
| hold him guiltiess OF grave errors while liv-
my ut the White Holst; lis enemies cannot
deny that his self-relianI unhen.ling character
has led Americas. legislators and Journalists
-smarting under his di>daih--to treat hin.
unjustly. IN the field he seldom held Il
council Of war; in council! he was seldom in
llucnced by the advice Of his Ministers. A
silent, self-contained man, he has few friends
but these, it is to be hoped, will be able to
console him in retirement for the national
| in2ratitlide which has already found violent
expression OH many occasions already.
Ii life at the White House be anything like
| the slavery which travellers have described
| the Presidents slave-oWner being the entire
American people-General Grant is tn he COLI
graduated this November, and MIR. Tilden
should receive visits Of coincidence from his
personal friends. The President is the ODE
dent servant OF every man who chooses to
call upon him. His official residence is
highway fanked with copiolls spittoons--
Morning, noon, and night he must lend q
patient ear to the sovereign people, and ward
off snpplmits for place. He must bear the
personal criticism Of the most obtrusive and
INSCRIPTIONS OF journalists, and submit to
the infinitely various favors of Yankee hui
NOR, addressed to himself and family. The
fierce light VIII CHI beats upon throne is mild
noonshiue when compared with the glare
under which the President of the United
States walks and sits and sleeps. He never
goes to bed without the risk of being dragged
up by serenade.
Wounded and detected by unjust and un-
generous mel, General Grant has care
worn face and a detected manner. The Sa-
vor of the Uuion will be glad when his time
rUnes-four months hence-to turn his back
upon the White House. In his cottage at
Long Branch, with wife aud children. he
will find solice for tile public contumely
which is the return for his heroic Sc. vice as II
soldier. Time will 10 him justice. 1t will
probably be over his tomb that the first
words Of ationa repentance for the wrong
done to this great citizen, will be heard.