Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-12-10
RRoEIvING GRANT.


bummer)-well, you hear that Gen.
eral Grant is coming?
DEMooRAr- Yes, hear that CON.
'fmince has Been sent 10 arrange about
his ovation in this city.
B.-We think of asking some Dem.
ocrats to assist-how would you like to
take part2
D.-For myself will say, If yoa
wish TO invite me, what Punch said to
the man who was going to get mar.
ried. EIN#N|I tt II
B-what did Paach say9
D." Don't"
B.-And why would you not join in
an ovation TO Grantp
D.-Why and for what would you
ask me to do him honor?
B.-Well, because he is q great Gen.
eral, and crushed the Rebellion, and
because he was the President of the
United States.
D,-l deny that he is great Gen
eral, or that he had any large part IN
crushing the Rebellion. That was
chiefly done by Others, and not under
his direction. AS for his Presidency,
1t was a national calamity--a carnival
for thieves and plundercrs and favor
ites-and shall surely do nothing toI
make II possible for such shameless
rule to be renewed.
B.-But don't you think that we,
should show honor and respect to our
great men?
D.-l have no respect for General
Grant, his talents nor his achieve
ments. He is entitled to none. He
never could nor never did plan his
campaigns with skill and Judgment
lYhich mark great Generals. He sacri.
Heed his men without profit, without
pity and without remorse. He is a
prodigy of luck " alone-pure, un-
mixed, imperial "luck." The man
who wins largely on the fastest horse,
is as much entitled to popular honor
for his luck as Grant is. The honors
he has received were mostly arranged
for, and his progresses show the most
amazing and most undeserved atten.
uons--those who gave them will
wonder at their folly before many
years.
B.-But don't you think he should
be honored as civil ruler?
Die did the Office of President
no honor-he had no talent nor train.
ing for it. He did not prize it as an
exalted trust, but as paying better
salary than the office of General"
and as an opportunity to provide for
his relatives and iayor;.cs. A Demo.
crat before the war, and not sympa-
.hizing with the objects of the fanat-
ical and malignant promoters of it, he
fought in it without the motives Of
those who set him on. And be ruled
as President in the same spirit. His
Presidency was sort of contract
with Radicalism which be filed as
they ordered him, taking care that It
proved good sob" for his boon
companions, and his cousins and his
uncles and his aunts.' For such ser.
vices he IS not entitled to the fulsome
flattery and abasing adulation that he
has already received, and that you are
now again preparing for him.
B.-And won't the Democrats take
part in the honors to Grant here at |
all?
D.-l do not think that any Demo-
crat who has any selfrespect can take
part in the degrading business. "Honor
to whom honor is duo" from those who
feel the weight Of the Indebtedness.
But as no Democrat can look upon
Grants political practices principles
he has nono), as deserving of these
tributes, how can they shout in the
senseless crowd OF his fatterers?
B.-But how can you set up your
own ideas Of Grants merits as against
the myriads that greet him, and feast
him, and think that he is not honored
cnough2
D.-l have told you already that it
is invincible luck that has made Grants
great reputation. How can you say
that he should be honored for great
wisdom, or learning, or attractive
personal or social qualitiesl We do
not remember anything that be taught
or said except the ono dogged phrase
about fighting on ono i'll chosen line
"all summer" He has the sturdy
stomach and heavy brain of a good
trencher.man, who can. 1stay" with
his tipplc and his prog. Like Joey
Bagstock, he is 'tough and hearty"
and little ely withal. But no speech
OF his ever enlightened anybody no
witicism Of his ever set his jolly CON-
panions "in roar" In short he has
no social graces-- his clLck" has failed
him here-but no is courted all tho
more, it would seem, from the very
absence Of attractive qualities.
B.-But how do you account for the
unusual court that is paid to Grant
both at homo and abroad, and the still
increasing honors that are bosto wed
upon himY
D.--The history Of the human race
for all time abounds in similar in.
stances Of popular delusion, this is
only one like many others. In less
than five years from now tho people
that now outvie each other In abject
worship Of this, their dull idol, will be
ashamed of their folly even now it is
the comparatively fcw that take lead.
ing parts IN these parades and orgies,
than can conceive why they take place.
When you compare Grant the General,
Grant the Civil Ruler Grant tho Ad