Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-09-24
General Grants Return.

We publish elsewhere brief resume of
the reception given to General Grant at San
Francisco on his return to this country. OF
course our account is but a meager one, as
our lack Of space precludes the full particu-
lars as given in the city papers.
1t has been said, and probably with no lit
tie truth, that the magnifcence Of his recep-
ton here was in no small measure a reflex
of the honors paid him in his tour through.
out the principal countries of the Old World.
1t has fallen to the lot of General Grant, not
only to be the foremost man in his own
country, but, happily, to have in his own
person, duly recognized in foreign lands,
the great destiny of the country which
is so largely indebted to his patriotic ser
vices for its very existence. A feel
ing of very pardonable pride has been felt
throughout this country at the unexampled
honors which have been showered upon our
ex-president, and it is very fitting and nat
ural that this feeling should be made appar-
rent by the heartiness with which he was
received upon his native shores
We do not, however, like many of our con-
temporaries, attribute any particular polit-
ical significance to this ovation-at least
not in relation to the much-talked-of third
term. We have no idea that General Grant
really and seriously contemplates any such
action by the people. Of COURSE no one can
surmise what action he would take should
this matter assume serious proportions. We
do think, however, that the man who has
once saved his country can be fully relied
upon to do his best to perpetuate her institu-
tions. If there should prove to be any mani
fest necessity-which we do not now believe
for General Grant to be again a candidate
for the presidency, we have too much faith
in his patriotism to doubt his acceptance.
Should, on the other hand, no such necessity
exist, we do not believe he would push him
self, nor allow his friends to push him, for
ward for the high position another term.
Yet, if the necessity should really prove to
exist, this same patriotism which has al
ways marked his course, would undoubtedly
lead him again to do the bidding of his
countrymen, and do it faithfully and courage
ously as he has performed it in the past
General Grant has always shown himself to
be an ardent lover of his country and her in
stitutions and we certainly have no fear
that by word or deed he will do aught, or al
low aught to be done, in his name or on his
account to imperil them in the least And
we are not so terrified at this bug-a-boo of
third-term as many people pretend to be.
General Grant brings with him the same
modest bearing which characterized him
while at home, aud which has won for him
so great regard among the citizens of the
foreign nations with whom he has been So
journing. Royal honors seem to have in no
way turned his head or inflated him. In
deed he has uniformly ascribed these honors
to the country whose representative he was,
rather than to any personal account and
the esteem with which, as such representa-.
tive, he was everywhere received is fiatter-
ing to our country and its free institutions.
The country welcomes General Grant
home again, and, while no present danger
OF war seems to menace us from any point,
we shall all breathe freer to know that this
hero is in the country, and where his services
can be called for should occasion require.