Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1884-05-16
A CONTRAST.

quent representative of lost cause, parted
at Appomattox Court House-thcnce d.
verged their paths through life.
Illustrating the philosophy of that touch
ing and beautiful expression which he gave
birth TO in the darkest and saddest hour of
his life, "human virtue ought at least 10 be
equal TO human calamity" Gen. Lee moved
quietly away to an institution of learning
in the bosom of the State he loved so well,
and devoted the remainder of his life TO the
education of American yeuth. Tell US
where in the catalogue of nations can we
find an example Of such q lofty and noble
sense of heroic duty9
Lifted upon the topmost billow of popular
favor, amid the peans Of praise which fol-
lowed the success of the armies he had COM
manded, Gen. Grant, with none Of the quail
tiles Of statesman, being ignorant of the
great principles which underlie the feunda-
ton of the Governmsnt-nothing OF dip
lomat-being equally ignorant of all inter
national LAWN short time became Pres
ident of the United States. His admins
tration was marked from the very outset
with such shameless prodigality Of official
corruption as to shock the sensibilities of
the civilized word. Bold, wicked, desper-
ate and characterless men were his compan-
ions, friends and advisers, to such an extent,
until, for the first time in American history
fraud became triumphant in the admins
tration of public affairs. 1t was mono
grammed on the doorway of every depart
ment OF the government, from the Execu-
tive Mansion to the office Of the smallest
ofical-it permeated every avenue through
which the official current flowed. Upon
brave and chiyalrous people, who had lost
| all save honor and virtue, and who had
gone 10 work TO build anew their broken
fortunes, he inaugurated policy and let
loose in their midst set of vultures, until
every industry was crippled and every en-
ergy was paralyzed
General Grant was reelected for second
term He remained in office long enough
TO unlock the doors of the penitentiaries and
lot go some Of his most prominent and in
fiuential supporters and friends; long
enough TO see one Of his constitutional ad =
yisers beg for mercy at the bar of Demo.
cratic House of Representatives;.long enough
to see second barely escape punishment at
the hands Of the criminal court of the Dis.
trict through his interference; long enough
to see one of his ministers to foreign court
sneaking home under the protection of the
American flag, and last, but not least, long
enough TO witness the humiliating trial OF
his private secretary and confidential friend
in the criminal Court of St. Louis.
At the close of his two terms, Gen. Grant
made circuit of the civilized world He
received ovations such as no living mortal
had ever received Cleopatra made art the
minister to her pleasures, luxury exhausted
its devices TO pander TO her caprice. A bark
respondent with gold bore her couch Of
down DER the summer waves of the Nile
precious odors perfumed the refreshing
breeze which sweled its silken sails, and
the strokes Of the rowers as they glided
through the stream kept time to instruments
of music At her sumptuous banquets, she
surpassed the prodigality of Luculus, and
in the goblets handed to her guests melted
pearls gave doubtful flavor to the wine
Gen. Grant received and saw more than all
this. European courts opened wide theiI
doors and he was toasted and banqueted by
Kings and Queens, Emperors and Princes
from London 10 Japan. His path around
the world was perfect sunburst of private
and public homage. Tired of the luxure,
that were everywhere and in every Shape
heaped upon him fer two years, he returned
to his native land. The golden gate wa.
opened and upon his arrival thousands
greeted him as conqueror and almost demi
god. Millonaires on the sunset side OF the
Alleganies unlocked their vaults and gave
him such reception AS had never before OF
since been equaled in this country. W.
have not the space in which TO recount hi:
further travels and receptions at home, oil
even to that country where once stood the
halls of the Montezumas
Cincinnatus after he had twice served hi
country, returned TO the plow. But Gen
Grant had remained just long enough mids
the splendors of European Courts to becom,
intoxicated with desire for throne, ant
he imagined that it could be obtained in :
third term as President of the United States
That whilst enjoying third term he would
play the part of Napoleon III. Under tn,
blaze of republican institutions and tn,
whitening criticism ola free and untram
meled press, he was informed, through
convention OF his party, that the people o
this country would never tolerate such
violation of the spirit of our Institutions
Soon after this result we find Gen. Gran
enjoying the Injuries Of a palatial residence
in one of the most fashionable parts of tn
Here he soon enters the great whirlpool o
speculation and becomes a bait for thieve
and gamblers To-day he is financial,
stranded pensioner upon the liberalit,
of iriends-a quiet aspirant for the offic
of President through the aid Of the part,
which for years he has been the Willing
slave
The remains Of Gen. Robert Z. Lee res
to-day in the soil of his native State, who's
every inch speaks with iervid eloquence o
the purity and simplicity Of his characte
and the spendor of his example Hi
memory is as sweet and soft as the odor 0
the flowers which fall upon his grave, willis
the love of his people is as tireless as til,
music of the waves and as deep and lasting
as the mountains which traverse the Stat,
he so bravely defended.