Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-08-13
mower. It was this that gave wisdom

II :
to his plans, decision to his will, cool
ness to his action, and nerved his arm
with the necessary vigor to pluck
crowns of victory and fame from the
highest Linnacles of possibility, with
which TO adorn and immortalize his
brows. His intellect found expression
in action, just as other mems find it in
words aud with pen. He wrote
poems with his sword-epics Of aw-
full grandeur, and lyrics of weird and
stormful melody. He delivered ora
tions at the lannon's mouth of per-
suasive and convincing elOquence. He
wrought out living truths and estab-
lished immutable principles in the ev-
olutions of armies and the death roar
and rattle of cannons and musketry.
At the same time his pen was a poten-
tial influence in his hand and his
words were battles sounding around
the world with sublime energy and
unmistakable detiniteness of purpose.
His army reports and state papers are
models of excellence of their kind,
characterized by aptness, keen dis
elimination, sententious brevity, and
that homely wisdom which goes to
make up the common-sense of human
itv and the proverbial literature of the
ages. See, TOO, how beautifully the
domestic virtues are exemplified III
the history of Gen. Grant. In this
respect his life was absolutely stain
less, and above suspicion. His home
was to him the chief center of attrac-
ton, aud point of return and depart
ure, in his greatness as well
as in his obscurity. Whether
at the head of million con-
quering soldiers, or on throne
of unequalled power, or receiving the
hands and batteries of world at his
feet, he ever came back to fad the
supreme source of his joy and consola-
ton in the bosom of his family. His
last request that he should not be
buried in place where his wife would
not be permitted to lie by his side,
and mipgle her ashes with his, was
characteristic of his entire life of low
ing loyalty, and chivalrous devotion,
TO the noble woman whom he had
crowned with the sacred name of
wife in the sweetness and freshness of
her youth. In these days of so much
maritial.infelicity and scandal, and such
frequent divorces, it is a matter of
rejoicing that the most conspicuous
figure OF the country has set an ex-
ample of conjugal truth, tenderness
and fidelity worthy of all imitation.
In a survey of Gen Grants character,
however brief, it would not do to
overlook the native modesty of his
nature. II the teaching of Carlyle is
correct, that The truly great man is
ever unconscious of his greatness. then
we have here, the perfect measure OF
our dead hero's colossal proportions
lie seems not 10 have known that he
was the personal center around which
had rystalized the most wonderful
achievements of the Nineteenth cen
turv. fnot of the ages. lie was never
known TO boast and it wa>, 10 him,
an uncea>iug wonder that people
should make such fuss about him.
and attribute 50 much To his personal
urth and influence. The blaze oi
glory in which he lived during the last
Twenty-Five years of his his life, never
daZZled his to the detects in lis OWE
character. or blinded them Ia
the real eXccllencies of his
associates an contemporaries.
When traditions, most hatter-
ing TO him, began To grow up around
some OF his great battleiields, he was
the first to touch them with the wand
of truth; even though it should turn
them into tame and commonplace
affairs His modesty was the secret
of his selt-possession, when he was
made the target of abuse, scandal and
malignant detraction. lie never stood
on the defensive. or rushed into print
with frantic speed. as though suffer-
ing world was hanging i'll life and
death suspense upon the vindication
of his character. Mr. Lincoln has left
on record that Gen. Grant was the OIL
" Off cr who never complained, who
never asked for promotion and who
went to the duty assigned him with
the unquestioning obedience OF the
true soldier. He simply tried to do
his duty. and. in doing that, he achiev-
ed deeds that viii shine, like the stars,
in the armament of time forever.
Gen. Grants maenanimity has been,
and ever wlll be, an inspiring theme of
poets. orators and historians. lie
seems to have been entirely free from
pride. prejudice and bigotry, those
three soul-fetters so fatal 10 true nag
nanimity of character. Many man,
to-day, of fine intellect and pure NOR
ais. would be broad and strong, 4 very
giant in church or state, could he but
rise superior TO these enfettcring evils.
Gen. Grant was always first to ac-
knowledge the true worth of an enemy
and last to heap unnecessary insult, or
humiliation upon that enemy when
in his power. lie never used his hi Oh
position and fortunate combination
of circumstances either for purposes
of personal revenge or personal
exaltation. \ smaller man than Gen,
Grant would have made all the capital
he could out of the surrender OF Lee.
and would have posed before the
hushed and gazing world in all the
magniticcnce of pomp, pageantry aud
personal pride of triumph, character
istic of the ideal hero and conqueror.
But Gen. Grant Invested the deafness
scene of all external or meretricious
splendor, and left it to speak for itself,
in sublime simplicity. to all the ages.
One writer has said. Alexander
would have demanded Lees sword.
Cesar would have claimed it as his
-;uht. Nanolenu vould have been uu-