The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-01


but regret his political service Here, also. are
those who bitterly criticise his whole career
both as soldier and as President. His personal
friends are here in large numbers, as well as
those who think they have good reasons for un-
friendliness Those who worked to give him
three terms, and who would as gladly have ex-
erted themselves to have him four or FIVE times
President, or President for life, daily meet those
who looked upon the proposition to thus exat
him as one which struck directly at the root of
popular government
Yet this community crowded thus with en-
thusiastic admirers, quiet friends open oppo-
nents, and avowed enemies, has, as one man,
responded as all true men must to the news
from the dying bed of Gen. Grant
For the first time Washington, through all the
various divisions of its society, has been stirredby
the sentiment with which Senator Conkling
tried with only partial success to storm the con-
vention, at whose hands he sought third term.
eff you ask where he halls from,
Our sole reply shall be,
He comes from Appomatox,
And its famous appletree."
This has seemed to be the idea uppermost in
all minds. For with few here does he stand out
as great President. Many at proper times
would have much to say in criticism of his cam
paigns, but to-day the one overruling thou ght
and deep regret is that great figure in the his
tory of the Republic is passing away. Had he
died here the entire population would have
gathered en- masse to do his memory reverence.
In spite of all differences of opinion, Washing
ton, in all departments of it's life, will stand a
sincere mourner at his grave.
As a soldier, men critciSe his campaigns, and
friends of other great generals make sore COM
plant. But none of these ever questioned his
earnestness of purpose, his steadfast devotion to
the cause or doubted that the interests of the
government were not always first and upper
most in all his thoughts and plans.
AS President no one, whose opportunities for
close observation We're such as to give weight to
an opinion charged him with personal dishon-
esty. He ''stood by his friends This was both
weakness and strength for him. It gave rise to
nearly all the criticisms with which the country
resounded. 1t would have been wholly just if
directed at those who, after obtaining his con-
fdence shamefully abused it. The final grief OF
his life came through the same confidence in
others who were unworthy as cost him so much
throughout his eight years as President Those
whom he trusted carefully shut him in, as it is
so easy for designing to limit the vision of a
President, and constantly prevailed upon him to
do things in which, although he acted honestly,
ne was previously misled After once giving his
confidence he seldom withdrew it. Those who
received it and were unworthy of it, were the
chief sinners Of his administration, and will so
take rank iE history The verdict here will be
that General Grant was an honest President.
Intrigue was foreign to his nature. No signs of
it appear in the voluminous records Of the war.
The various controversies over military history
in which he has been made to take prominent
part, have not been of his fomenting. There are
few controversial papers of his own on file. and
these are direct statements almost devoid of
heat. But superserviceable friends have by their
assumptions Of authority often brought unmer
tied criticism on him.
Nor was intrigue characteristic Of his political
methods He was direct and truthful in all his
dealing. None who approached him ever COM
planned that they had been deceived. He unbos-
omed himself to very few, and so being apparent
ly lacking in geniaity he was not personally pop
uiar with the crowd Out of those whom he did
draw around him he constructed his administra-
ton. 1t was personal to an extent that impaired
its strength, yet there never was a time when
men of all political parties, and of all factions
inside his own were not prompt to show him
every respect whenever he appeared in public.
Throughout all the years of his residence here
the sentiment that is uppermost to-day lay close
to the surface, and was always quick to assert
itself whenever he passed. The thought was
not This is the President" but this is General
Grant, and the latter idea in its essence did not
relate to the Grant of this or that campaign,
but the Grant of Appomattox.
So, tonight, all are mourning sincerely, be-
cause the life of that most prominent figure in
our war history is going out. If the feeling
here reflects the sentiments of the country,
and it doubtless does. since society at the
Capital represents the States in miniature,
the people of all sections will vie with
each other to pay proper honor to his memory.
The mistakes of campaigns will for the time
fade into nothingness and the final victory will
stand put as the enduring monument of his fame.
Hiypofitical errors will be hidden by the great
life in which his party lived WHILE under him.
it strobe on from victory in the field to recon
struction and final reunion. His opponents in
arms will tarily forget. SO far as men
who fought for flag can forget, that he led the
armies which overthrow them, and the remem-
brance which is ever present, that Grant as a
conquerer was generous to them, will grow
brighter and tenderer among the veterans who
surrendered.
In these last hours of his life, friends, ad-
mirers, critics, opponents, enemies, wherever
they gather here, agree together and sorrow to-
gether, because great and honorable figure in
American history is passing to his rest.