The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-11-07
THE Great National Tramp

| This is the term the Richmond State ap-
plies to General Grant, who has been travel
ing through Europe for the past year to ac-
| quaint himself with the customs, habits and
Institutions OF the old world. Wherever he
has gone his civil and military renown have
been recognized by Kings, Emperors, Peers,
| and the first intellects and statesmen of the
| civilized governments of the Eastean Con-
tinent. Nothing but the most exalted res
pect and admiration for his achievements in
the military and civil departm of the
American government have been shown him.
No citizen of the United States has ever
received such high evidences of the esteem
and homage of the great men of the old
world, and none could haze borne the hon
ors thus thrust upon him with more modesty
and simplicity. Tn no act or word of his, in es-
ponse to these manifestations of regard. has
! he betrayed even passing weakness, or ut
tered sentence that did not comport with
ar ardent love for the form of government
and the institutions of his own country. The
central figure of two continents, the peoples
OF the East paying respect to the repres enta-
tive citizen and soldier of the West, with his
countrymen watching with earnest, ardent
pride and pleasure the recognition OF his en-
inent achievements and character, land feeling
that it was no less tribute to America than
1T was to the immediate object of the dem
onstrations, it remained for Southern Jour-
nal to Indicate its malice and littleness by
designating the late and the next President,
the 'great national tramp
General Grant, it is true, has been some
what OF tramp, but it was always to keep
step to the Emusic of the Unlon." He tramp
ed from Vera Cruz to Mexico, under the in
spring folds of his country's flag and in
later days directed the steps OF bis
tramping legions around Vicksburg; and then
again through the Wilderness, to Apo
mattox, around Richmond, but not throuqh
1t, so thoughtful was he of the feelings of
those who had followed the fortunes OF the
furled flag of the "Lost Cause.'' When
Underwood's Court had arrested General
Lee, he tramped to the Executive Mansion,
occupied by Southern President, who had
declared that ''treason must be made obi
GUS, and by implication, that the leader of
the Southern forces ought to be hung, and
demanded that the terms of the surrender be
respected, and the Court proceedings dis
missed. 4
1t is this ''great national tramp'' who
stands out the observed OF all observers
both in Europe and America, that the Rich
mond State would bring down to the level
OF the vagabonds who prowl through the
country, without visible means of support.
preying upon the charity, as well as the pos
sessions of honest people.
1t may crafty the malice of very small
politicians to indulge in language and SINH.
les such as we have quoted, but the Ameri-
can people, both North and South, are capa-
BILE OF rising above any such groveling malig-
nifty, and approaching the high character
and exalted services of one the best years
and energies of whose life have been dedicated
to the cause of liberty, justice and equal-
ty, and to the perpetuation of the free insti-
buttons of his country.