New-York tribune., 1885-07-24
GENERAL GR1NT.

The foremost man of the Nation has closed a
career second to no other in the history OF the
Republic. The victorious leader of the Nation
in the greatest war of modern times, he was
also leader of the people in civil life. Per-
haps no single act of Washingtons Presidency
WAS more pregnant with blessings for the Ma
ton than President Grants unhnching defence
of public faith and honest money, Just
as no military achievement in our early
history surpassed in splendor the taking
of Vicksburg, or in results the fall of
Richmond. Greater statesmen than President
Grant the country has known, and men more
capable of wisely leading public opinion. But
to him, both as statesman and as so dier, the
country owes a debt of undyng gratitude. All
men have faults, and he was not exempt. But
a thankful people would gladly forget them,
and remember only the great deeds and the
noble traits OF character which remain for the
admiration of mankind.
When Captain Grant gave rp his commission
after the Mexican war, he entered upon part
of his life which must have been to him the
least congenal A man fit for great things,
when employed for years in positions which do
not call into exercise his best powers, is apt to
qualities and early training, and to be found in
a measure untitled for great responsibilities and
emergencies when they come. The life OF
General Grant had been such before the war
that when he offered his services to the country
few indeed imagined that in him was to be
found the great General and the strong Pres-
dent No doubt it was fortunate for Cen
eral Grant that he was tried at first In
positions not too prominent or response
ble Neither the great General nor the strong
statesman had yet been developed. But in
! the undistinguished life of peace he had not
lost the training of West Point and the Mexican
War, and the General soon began to appear in
! the modest and reticent soldier, who never
boasted and never grumbled, who never sought
more important command or larger force,
and never failed to do faithfully whatever was
expected of him. Fort DOnelson first taught
the country what sort of soldier it had In its
Western army Pttsburg Landing and Iuka
| followed, and then the fall of Vicksburg shared
with the victory of Gettysburg the honor of
breaking the back of the rebellion. But it was
! left for General Grant, after the splendid
achievement at Lookout Mountain, to!take com
mand Of the armies of the United States, and to
Military criticism of General Grants cam
paigps will never take from him his laurcls. No
doubt it will show many mistakes an enor-
nous disproportion of means to ends; tremen-
) dous superiority in numbers, and alas also in
casualties the cOstiest victories, sometimes, in
> life and money, the world ever saw. But it
I is enough that he did what others tried to do.
With scarcely trace OF the shining traits
which dazzle the popular eye and kindle the
enthusiasm of soldiers he gained the confidence
T. of the Nation for the long years struggle from
the Wilderness to Appomattox, and inspired the
i army with a trust which it never had in any
other commander. Sound judgment, mar
vellous tenacity, the lofty moral courage to
stake everything upon the conclusions of a
Judgment deliberately formed and a sure eye
in selecting the right man for the work to be
done, are qualities which 20 further than
brilliancy or genius in making tho successful
General. But General Grants conceptions were
sometimes brilliant as well as sound, and the
great soldiers of modern times have not been
slow to honor the merit which some critics of
smaller performance have failed to see.
The final taking Of Vicksburg and the previous
campaign in It's rear wero military achievements
ns bold and brilliant as any of the century
Matched with Lee no found way to advance
through hostile country, never giving q wary
and powerful foe a chance to fight except at q
disadvantage. and cripplns the enemy at every
step, while holding every foot OF ground taken.
1t was said by brilliant soldier Of Lees army
that any more snowy Gonoral In place of Grant
would have had his nrmy destroyed dozen
times before no reached Richmond. Tho
country knows that tho army did reach Rich.
mond, and ended tho rebellion. Perhaps
another might have done as we'll. and ut
far Jess sacrifice OF life history records
that no other did. Pcrhaps another might
have saved tho Nation and conquered Lee,
had Grant becn killed, or failed, Bin he
was not killed. and did not tail, and with
unstinted gratitude tho Nation hailed him "a