The New York herald., 1879-03-17
Genera, Grant. welcome Home.

tions are making at the headquarters of the
Union Pacific Railroad, at the instance
of it does not precisely appear who,
to give General Grant somewhat surpris-
ing welcome home on his return to San
Francisco next August. Two notable
statesmen, Kellogg and Pitkin, of Louisi-
ana, are the only persons mentioned by our
correspondent al actively engaged in this
enterprise, and these patriots, who would
perhaps like to turn an honest penny for
themselves, talk of one hundred and twenty
| five trains of ten cars each to form the mon
ster excursion of welcome.
| We have no doubt tho great army Of
political Jenkinses will do their best to get
possession of General Grant and trot him
over the country for their own glorifica-
tlon and pecuniary advantage when
he returns to the United States. but
we have no fear that the Generals
| real and respectable friends will allow him
to become the victim of such people That
| he will receive warm and universal well
| come from his country men We have not the
least doubt, md wo will add that he de-
deserves it. But it will not be an affair Of
drumming; it will not be managed by self
seeking and designing politicians; it will
| be spontaneous, hearty, unsolicited well
come from the American people, and we say
to the politicians. and especially to the
Pitkins and Kelloggs. in advance. Glands
| off; this is not your affair. Your help is not
needed, and your presence even would be
| oficious."
The welcome to Grant not only will not
need any getting up" or preparation
beforehand. but we desire to warn his
many sincere and warm friends that they
will only dampen the genuine and gener-
GUS enthusiasm of the people for the Gen.
eral if they permit themselves to take any
| measures whatever to exhibit him or to
place him in the way of popular manifesto
1 tions. We should prefer to see him make
the journey from the Pacific shores to his
homo in Philadelphia, as he will, doubtless,
prefer himself, with entiro avoidance of
ostentation, like great and eminent. but
nevertheless q plain, citizen returning to
his native land after visit to foreign
countries. It would be ungracious in him
|
Of him, and he has now come to
that age where travelling by easy
stages instead Of rushing through on
lightning express is for his comfort and
that of Mrs. Grant. He will probably be
glad, too, to make the round of the princi-
pal Western cities, in all ofwhich he has old
personal friends who will desire once more
to shake his hand. In natural way, and
| without the least Of that distasteful man.
i agement of which this rumor from Omaha
gives the first public warning. the, General
can see and be seen by the greater part OF
the country, and he will receive every
where the warmest welcome which an ad-
miring and hcspitable people can give him.
If the season were not:that during which
travelling in the Southern States is both
tiresome and dangerous we should indeed
wish him before he settles down in his own
house to revisit the South, and We are GER
!. tain that he would receive in that section q
welcome-as warm and as sincere rs he will
get in any part of the Union.
4 We speak positively and confidently on
this subject. because it would be pity to
have the0eneral's return home marred by
l anything like .ciaptrap or buncombe. No
4 sensible man doubts~that General Grants
II name and fame are dear to every true
American, OF that he ranks in oil hearts as
His great and long services to the Union
4 have secured him the lasting and, indeed,
the increasing gratitude and admiration of
the people. His sterling qualities of hon.
4 esty and clear common sense; his patriotic
4 love for his couatry's welfare and desire
\ for the success Of our institutions; his
severe and arduous, and often than nkless,
public service; the pathetic manner in
which on several occasions he has publicly
confessed his mistakes while asserting his
good intentions-au these are known to
and valued by the people; and it is q sure
evidence that, though he was while Presi-
| dent the subject of hostile and often acri.
the (to him) unhappy field of politics.than
all ill-will disappeared and he resumed as
4 of right his high place in the affectonate
regards of his fellow citizens without ne
gard to party.
He returns home from long journey in
1 foreign parts. at every stage of which the
honors which have been paid him by ,emi-
nent persons Of all classes have boen
watched with pleasure by the whole Ameri-
can people; but the most distinguished ID
honors.of his life remain, and will be found
in the spontaneous welcome home Of his
fellow citizens To them, now, ho occupies
4 quito peculia- position; for, whatever de-
signing politicians may propose, to the peo-
pie no is citizen who has honorably and
laboriously fulfilled his term Of faithfnl
public service, and whom, for the rest Of his
life. they will regard not as o partisan, not
rs tho candidate OF or even tho member of