Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1880-05-01

BLUM
Welcome you in the
her citizens, without dis
5ace, nationality or party
welcome you as one of
Iltary chieftains of this
country, as the twice
Executive Of this great
~ as one Of the most dis
rivate citizens in the world
III of us feel it an honor to
a gates of our Gty and tender
pcS5yhe Inequalities Sf our people, and
may we not be permitted to add .one
more commission; may we, through
you, sir, thank the peopleof these Uni
ted States fer their princely charity
that flowed in upon us from every
quarter through three epidemics in
such an unabated measure as to miti-
gate, as much as might be, the terrors
Of that frightful pestilence that devas-
tated our fair city, and filled our hearts
with woe? Sir, we ask you to accept
our sincere greeting and welcome, and
remain with us as long as you can
make it convenient to do So"
The above is the speech of DIR. Por-
ter, at the Grant reception in Men,
phis. 1t is certainly a wonderful
speech if it be true, as well as curious
in its character and closing. After say
ing so much in so few words it was
very cheap coming down, and letting
down of the distinguished visitor to
say we ask you to "remain with us as
long as you can make it convenient to
do So" The Doctor was certainly not
very anxious to tax the "Taxing Dis
trict" long with that sort of show. 1t
was about as "c0npenieap for the Cen
eral to 90 on as to remain, if conven-
fence was all that was to be considered.
But the General had a'purpose in view
and he was not so sensitive as to be
beaten out of it. He was there in the
interest of the third term movement,
although ostensibly for other and
more patriotic purposes, and he did
not intend to be cheated out Of the
music of that colored oratory that fell
so melliferously on his ears few hours
afterwards, and the peculiar grip Of
those dusky, rough hands that he
handled so promiscuously during the
day. But, all amusement aside, we
have a word or two to say about this
remarkable speech and hope our readers
willindulge us to say them. 1t matter;
not how eloquent, how grand, and how
sublime speech may be, if it has t.
be so at the expense of truth, it is NJ
speech at all but mere fancied fiction
1--WE seriously question the truth of a
least two statements made by DIR. Por
ter which are these; |. That Gran
is one of the greatest military chieftain
of the age. 2. That Grant is one o
the most distinguished private citizen
: in the world.
When party spirit, sectional feeling
and personal ambition have all die
out, history, the true arbiter of mel
, and things, will fail to record the nam
of Grant with Hannibal, Caesar, Bona
part, Washington and Lee, for the rea
f son that his military career furnishe
not single achievement that woul
! rank him with such an association
liant is military chieftain of but
Jingle virtue, that of success, whicl
4 the world has always considered doubt
full and depending entirely on the way
in which it is won. Success that come
through adverse means and heroic eS
IS is the maximum of glory itself
Success that comes as a matter c
hge, and by mere force of circum
ls and in the nature of event:
ding the appointed time, is merel
i 4 success and nothing more. Nothin
lean be said of it except that it is su,
Rdf, very good thing of its kind bu
ecks the element of greatness. Thi
Ter is the kind that crowns the bro
DR.. Porter's hero. Grant himse
e conscious that he has done nothin
IN g make him great, and feels the empt
# ness of the shadow that has passed owe
e him, and manifests his recognition
{ it by his constant effort to do somethin
At more that will stop the aching voi'
it which his world of greatness can new
# fill. He is still reaching out aft,
:. something to make him great, and
willing to take hold of anything Fl
that purpose from a box of Haval
cigars to a free trip around the worl,
: Grant is q military ohieftain of Il