Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-10-29


The glowing eulogy of General Grant,
pronounced by Ex-Governor Boutwell,, in
his Bunker Hill speech last week, was a sur
prise to his audience, and will be a still
greater one to the country. He spoke as
follows.
For the first time since General Grant left the
office OF president, speak his name in public,
ana do so now because ! notice That good
many persons from whom | did not expect so
early recognition OF his character and services
have announced that they are disposed to support
him for the presidency in 1870 or indicated the
opinion that they expect his nomination and cleo
ton. | may say, without assuming anything,
that have enjoyed the friendship Of General
Grant for good many years. and | am not anx-
ous that he should be again president of the
United States. But foresee that he Is likely to
be president don't know that the disposition
to elect him In universal, but 1t appears to be very
strong among the members of the Republican
party. And am disposed to see why it Is that
they look 10 General Grant The instincts OF
great bodies of men usually have some good
foundation, especially when the public sentiment
runs for n long time In one direction, and has no
apparent moving force to the current. General
Grant has been around the world. He has been
In all the principal countries of Europe and ASIA
and II in those countries severaly there has been
one person. the ruler perhaps, who has been esti-
mated as n more important parsonage than Cen
eral Grant, 1t appears to he like what occurred in
Greece when the question was taken among the
guards as to who was the first general Of Greece
and who was second Every general voted for
himself first and then Themistooles second.
II you consider General Grants career 1t Is not
too much to say that, in military point of view,
he IL certainly among the first six men Of whom
history has preserved any account and II in future
ages there should be those who claim for him the
first place, 1t will not be an extraordinary thing
DO you consider that he commanded more men
f.r rind nf nil NTH IN yprpa xpr
| under command of any other general In ancient
or modern times since the days of Xerxes? That
the theater of his operations was rs large as the
entire scope OF Napoleon's campaigns from Egypt
to Russia? That lie never received suggestion
or an order from superior in command after he
became acknowledgement of the army? That he
never held a council of wal? That he conducted
operations at the same time up and down the
Mississippi river the continent, along the
coast from Annapolis to Galveston penetrated the
| confederacy at two or three points at the same
| timeY That never, never in the field where he
was in command personally were the troops
under his orders routed shattered, afflicted by
| the seventies of the enemys attacks? That they
| were never dsheartened, discouraged democrat
| ized much less ever routed, and that he brought
| to successful conclusion the greatest war of
modern times? Is it strange, then, that in all
Countries when stripped OF the dignities OF office
| and the formaities of power, he everywhere has
been recognized rs the first parsonage on the sur
| face of the earth? Now, then, under these cir
cumstances, is 1t strange that the Republican
| party of this country turns to him? have said
| this of President Grant not because want him
nominated for the presidency. think it has re-
| sponsibilites from which he may well shrink
| don't know that time will add to his fame. am
sure it will not increase his happiness. But there
| have been times when even in Massachusetts,, and
in Republican esteem, it was not easy to represent
| General Grant as he is--a man of imperturbable
spirit, full of patriotism, animated by plain and
loving sense OF justice, and anxious, more anxious
perhaps, than almost any American citizen for the
| perpetuty of our institutions, Tor the preserva
| prosperity of his country. And now that the
| time has come, which knew would some time OIL
other come, but which did not soon expect
| here even in Massachusetts,, there is genera
feeling of respect in place OF suspicion and arpre
hension and want of friendship, in many quarters
| take this occasion to say what believe, what
| know, what think, of General Grant,