National Republican., 1880-12-14
General Grant.

The nations hero and most cherished
citizen is the guest of the Capital. His
arrival was announced by the cannon, the
voices of which he knew so well, and by
music, while rs his escort he had the
"Boys i'm Blue brave and honored sur.
vivors of the great army he led to vic
tory. From Fort Donelson to Appomattox
Court-House he won imperishablc re-
nown, and, what is more dear to him.
the lasting affection of his countrymen.
Tho blunders and crimes which followed
during the three years after the sur
render of the rebel army well nigh de-
livcrcd the nation hopccssly into the
hands of those from whose assaults il had
been saved by tho vulor of our soldiers
md the sacrifices of the people. The
year 1868 came loaded with fears that
The cause was lost. The cry against
the "bloated bond-holdcrs," whose
money had made us financially strong,
and the Federal patronage, rccklcssly
used, were making dangerous defcctions
in our ranks; credulous people of best
Intentions were sure the Southern Demo-
cratic tiger had been tanned and guictcd,
and the party of the Union seemed likely
to be defeated. Then came the sacrifice
by General Grant of the life Office of Gen
eral OF the Army, created for tho first time
for him, and, Drawing the shafts of de-
traction which await all Republican can
didatcs for the Presidency, he consented
to serve his country in civil capacity.
No American could have been elected
that year on the Republican side except
General Grant. The contrary of this
never has been claimed. He had no
rival. The call on him was unanimous.
lie was chosen President. Republicans
cannot with profit now discuss the irrita-
tions which arose and multiplied from
1869 to 1875. They grew out of the weak
nesscs ofhuman nature. We will not men.
ton one of them. All We desire to say is
that from them all General Grant emerged
tried as he had been in the fiercest fires
of hostile criticism, pure and unstained
There has been no cleaner man in that
great office from the foundation of the Re.
public.
"GrcAt IN saving common sense,
HA' III MS aIlhpil'lly huDilmc,
Seldom has any man been as bitterly as.
sailed; never has any man suffered in.
justice with such enduring dignity. Ee
has indeed "stood fair square to all the
winds that blew" The world then made
him its favored guest, and havingreceived
all the honors and laudations that Europe
and Asia could bestow, he returned to his
home. Party strife and personal ambi.
ton for time envelopcd him again
in the thick smoke of political battle
though he had not made himself party
10 II, and the envenOmed tooth of super.
serviccable SANDER was busy against him
The political forces of the country having
finally been marshaled for the presiden.
iial struggle, General Grant was one of the
first to sound the call to duty. lie sum.
moncd the Boys in Blue, and, soon after
taking the field in person, made the first
political campaign of his life. Great in
character and magnanimous in disposi.
ton, he made all factions forget the pre-.
liniinary struggles within the party, and
by his presence in Ohioa and in New York
and his wise and compact utterances, gave
courage to friends and inflicted damaging
blows on the enemy,
The contest ended, he takes his rest
Suggestions have been made as to provi.
sion for his future comiort-some wise
and some unwise. He will not wound q
friend who is indiscreet, nor honora mean
enemy by attention; and so he remains
silent while friends and foes discuss him.
We believe the people expect their rep
resentatiyes TO proher him the highest
military title theyc bestow with fitting