Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-11-20

titious method suggested. 1t is on
the other hand time to address the
American people seriously and forci-
bly,, and to ask them whether
they do not consider that the splendid
services of General Grant deserve national
recognition. 1t is shame and disgrace
to this great republic that its foremost SOL
der, the captain to whose skill, resolution
and sagacity it may be said to owe its very
existence, should be permitted to descend
to struggle for bread in his declining
years, as though he were cast off and repu-
dated by the country he gave his best en-
ergies to save. 1t has been said of old
that republics are ungrateful" Is there
any popularity in that form of government
which renders them oblivious to the obi
cations which monarchies and empires &C
knowledge and redeem 80 magnifcently !,
The comparison has often been made be-
tween England's treatment of the Duke of
Wellington and Americas treatment of
General Grant; but it cannot be said that
the contrast is worn out until the Ameri-
can people have manifested more gener-
Gus and exalted conception of their duties
in the premises. England could not do
too much for her great commander.
Sha lavishe1 rewards upon him with
a prodigal hand. She purchased for him
splendid estate and mansion. She
showered honors and rank upon him.
She decreed him hundreds of thousands of
pounds from her treasury. In a word,
she showed her appreciation of what he
had achieved for her right royalty. And
what has this country done for Its great
captain? She made him General of the
army, with salary of SIT, 500 a year,
and elected him President twice. Is that
enough? Assuredly it is not enough. The
life of such man ought to have been
made secure against all the blasts of for
tune. His condition ought to have been
so established that at least no sordid cares
should thenceforth assail him. The posi-
billty of his being compelled in his old
age to seek for work ought to bring the
blush of shame to every patriots cheek.
If this is the measure of republican graft
tude for the highest services that man
can render to bis country, how shall the
republic hope in the future to secure such
services in her hour of need?
When we see the frequent rumors that
General Grant is about to take the Presi-
dency of this, that or the other commercial
company when we see that name, which
ought to be so honored, hawked about as
bait for spectators, or as means of influ-
encing the stock market we cannot but
wonder that the people should fail to real
ize the discreditable nature of such things,
or should not apprehend the slur which is
thus being cast upon the honor of the
country. And when it is timidly suggested
that something ought to be done for Cen
eral Grant, there seems to be an apprehen-
sion lest the public should view any prop
osition of the kind with disfavor, and
wealthy men talk of getting up collection
in quiet way, as though the destined
beneficiary were some obscure person,
whose necessities could not be expected to
concern the nation in any way. This is all
wrong. Not only ought something to be
done for General Grant, but that some
thing ought to be done in the most open,
emphatic and solemn manner possible. If
Congress has not the power to do it, then
in the name of all that is right and decent
and becoming, let the power be created by
an amendment to the Constitution. The
nation cannot afford to play the niggard
in this matter. 1t must remember its own
dignity as well as the deserts of its great
has often enough been squandered upon
undeserving objects. 1t has too frequently
been diverted to enrich knaves. 1t can
never be put to any nobler or higher use
than in making secure the future of Gen.
eral Grant. There ought not to be any
dickerlng or hair. splitting about the extent
OF the provision to be made for him It
should be ample, even munifcent. It
might be graceful and appropriate deed
to restore to him his military rank. but
not with the income of the grade. We be-
lieve that the people are ripe for such an
act of recognition and appreciation as we
have suggested, and that they will not be
disposed to bargain with the man to whom
they owe so much. We should like to see
this question brought forward in Congress
at the next session, and that boldly and
frankly. If General Grant is in need the
United States should be his indorser. That
is the sentiment which the people ought to
koJ1 -r-l,,h r1-a 1al,a,-a 4bax- do hold