The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-12-27
HERO WORSHIP.

To BE CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK
HERO WORSHIP.
From time immemorial the warrior most
puissant ranked as a king among mem
When kingdoms We're won by the sword
the crown was awarded to him by whose
valorous deeds, rs leader of armies, the
conquest was achieved. So great was the
homage his proves commanded that his
adoring nation ignored his lowly origin
ap"theoszed him rs a demi-god and decreed
him divine honors at his decease. Hercules,
Romulus and others. of doubtful parentage,
were alleged, in the code of ancient heraldry,
to be descendants of the union of mortals
with celestials, were awarded inches in the
sacred Pantheon. Centuries ere the old
blind man of Chios sung the direful
wrath of the son of Peleus, or the wander
ing Of Ulysses after lofty Iion had fallen,
long before the Manfuan bard related in
epci verse the lineage and heroisln of the
pious Eneas, or Livy recorded the birth of
the founder Of the scyeE-hilled city, there
was inscribed in the oldest and most truth
full of all books that the Sons of God saw
that the daughters of men were fair. The
progeny of such alliances must needs be of
superhuman wisdom, strength and valor.
Tie fame acquired by the possessor of heaven
sprung en,towments elected the reverence
Of those who regarded him as Il superior being
When 4 Christian creed had dispelled the
illusions, the romance of mythology, and
the loves of the angels were deemed ideal
istic by commentators, seeds of the primitive
creed still fingered in the souls of mortals,
and developed into the species of idolatry
classified by Carlyle as 81 hero worship"
The son of Jesse, ho slew the champion of
the rhilistines, become II ruler in Israel with
the title Of the Shepherd King The com
mander of the Asronautic expedition had
his reward at IlelaS. Egyptians, Medes
and PerSiauS, Greeks and Romans, Cloths
and NandalS, boast of Il formidable array of
royal heroes. Tile Kingdoms of the earth
are trophies of cLicftains, pre-emnent as
the leaders of hosts when thrones We're the
spoils of conquest. Charlemagne, Ehod
erick William the Norman. Frederick the
Great Napoleon l, and countless others have
been idoliZcd as heroes. Man is naturally
reverential being, and only when envy,
malice, and base treachery have warped all
instincts Of Justice, truth and honor, does
he fail to recognize, as essential to a ruler,
those attributes that secure his authority
and the allegiance and respect of the gov
erned.
From the infancy of our Republic until it
attained its Centennial year our Presidents
have been more distinguished on the field of
battle than in the councils of State. The
generals who received at Yorktown the
sword of CORVALLIS was elected as chief
magistrate of the Federal Union. He who
at New Orleans defsated PackenhaIn, and
by that signal victory terminated with adj
ditional luStre 10 our arms the war of 1872
was honored with the highest office in the
gift of the people. They were equally
grateful to the heroes who led Union armies
at Tippecanoe, Palo-Alto, Nicksburg and
Appomattox. They arc more illuStrious rs
American citizens i'll our National chronicles
than if enrolled in the ranks of pagan demi-
gods. In bronze and marble on the glow
ing canvas, on the pages of illustrated
history the deeds of our warriors are COM
munic;ifed and their life-like features in
delibly impressed. Monuments to the
memory of such a race atlorn our chief cities;
equestrian statues of our National heroes
are seen in our public squares; the statuary,
the sculptor and the limner's art has been
subsidized TO perpctuatc the brilliant
achievements of our warriors, and to slim
ulate the rising generations to be their rivals
in renown. No one who has witnessed the
splendid ovations, the ardent enthusiasm,
which greeted General Grant after his tour
in foreign countries, on returning 10 his
native land, can accuse the Republic of the
United States of ingratitutla to its federal
defender. His fellow citizens and brave
comrades remember to his resolve to
fight it out on the line Of duty" A soldier
undismayed in peril, hopeful in the darkest
hour, chivalrous as we'll rs brave, he could
not fail to inSpirit his troops with similar
sentiments Thus, when the war closed
with victory for the Union flag, it had not
lost a single star in the constellation of
States. Considerable and clement to the
vanquished, he guaranteed them honorable
| terms, and most truly did he adhere to his
compact. The famed Commander-inChef
| of the Confederate army testified to Grants
unqucstioned honor and truthfulness-trats
inherent in noble natures.
Having by such generosity conciliated
enemies, and by his intrepdity and brilliant
sencralship brought TO Il close the fratricidal
war, he was justly elected, in due season,
| President of the Nation in whose cause lie
fought with glory. A second term he was
chosen TO preside in like manner a tri-
| butte to his high dcserts--at length stated
with official honors, and oppressed with the
affairs of State lie laid down the reins of
government and sought Il refuge III foreign
| travel from political place hunters. He has
not yet, judging from the demonstrations
that welcomed his return home lost any Of
| his great prestige with American citizens Of
! all parties. Even now, if he will, n third
! Presidential term awaits his acceptance.
He has but to say yes to the protfer and his
election is copsummated,