The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-05-14
Grant as Soldier and Civilian.

General Iaoney II. NauTy mas cOus
tributed to the Southern Historical So
ciety Papers an exceedingly clever ar
ticle upon Gen. Grant, and attempts im-
partially to fix his place in history.
Dispissing all extrayagant estimate, on
both sides Of the water, Gen. Maury
comedies that Grant is the most extra.
ordinary puppet Of fortune ever known
in America, if not one of the greatest
of Generals. His chief distinction at
West Point was horsemanship, no such
daring equestrian ever having appeared
before or since at the academy. In the
Mexican war he was quiet, self-reliant
and sober. After the war he became
Incorporate, lost his commission, lit
orally fell into the gutter, from which
another and a vaster war lifted him
from one honor to another until he, had
nothing more to win. Such retrieval
Of destiny. Gen. Msury justly thinks, is
without parallel. His blunders in war
from Belmont to Holly Springs are
graphically recounted, and the mystery
Of his not being punished for them is
a1verted to as among strange things OF
his destiny. His subsequent operations
on a grander scale are commented upon,
especially tho new principle introduced
of "attrition," which involved refusal
TO exchange prisoners, both compelling
sacrifices Of human life disgraccfal to
any commander. Conscience aside, it
required most capable general to drive
on toward given end, at any cost, and
the broadest qualities of courage and
tepaoity.
General Maury scouts the idea that
Grant was led to victory by other mons
brains, and proves that he formed and
executed his owu plans, often in contra
diction Of advice he had asked for. He
had armies beaten under him, but they
never left the field. The shining vir.
tue accorded Grant is his freedom OF
personal insult or cruelty to prisoners of
war, from General Lee down 10 the
humblest private soldier. When Gen.
eral Lee visited Washington at the end
of the war, Grant hastened to pay his
respects; but Lee never returned the
visit, aud we have been told that this
mortified and embitterod him more
than aught else. At any rate, from
that moment, when civic power loomed
up before him, he became a changed
man. For Grants political career
General Maury has only contempt. He
allied himself with the enemies Of the
republic, surrounded himself with venal
plunderers, became chief gift-taker OF
the land, and Systematically proceeded
to feather his nest, 30 that he could ne
YER be poor any more.
General Maury draws a gloomy horo'
scope of tho future Of the ex'Presldent-
General. His European honors will
only defer his ultimate destiny of being
cursed by his own people, Our critic
believes that this man's days will be
"few and evil" that he will seek relief
from commonplace in potent draughts
of whiskey and champagne. and that
''when the morning kilograms shall an
nounce that Grant is dead, men vii! la
ment and wonder that capacities so
good, with opportunities so great,
should reach conclusion so impotent. "
This may be true vision. But we
should not wonder if the "Old man"
joined the church, became o Good Tenn
plar and lived to be 80 years Of age.
He has disappointed the prophets be-
fore and may do so again.-Aagusta
Chr onicle aud ConstitutiOnalist.