Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1885-07-29
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1885.


THROUGH THE DARK VALLEY.
General Grant is dead, and the Nation
mourns. The old hero passed quietly
away last Friday morning vt o'clock.
Like all men, whether humble or great,
he made mistakes; but they were not of
the heart. Where is the country loving
man or woman in America to- day who
will remember the criticism and bitter
words which the sharp tongue of unthink-
ing partisanship directed at Grant? The
first in desire to forget are those who
spoke and wrote against him. During
his long illness, from all over this ~
land have come words of cheer, of sor-
row, of affection. No other event since
the war has better shewnthat the Union
is again one in sympathy as well as in
name. The Northern people remember
the dark days before Henry, Donelson
and Vicksburg; how, after many defeats,
came the glad tidings of victory; how
PLAIN, quiet. .unassuming man had been
found in the West who was able to cope
with the brave and skillful generals of
the enemy. And Southerners do not for
get those chivalrous words to Lee at Ap-
pomattox s"Your men may keep their
horses they will need them in cultiyat
ing theirscrops."
There lives no man or woman beneath
the flag for which the hero fought who
does not remember the feelings of pride
with which we heard of Grant reception
during his great tour abroad. Honors
greater than were ever before or since
Egiven an American in foreign lands were
showcred upon rebellion's oonqucror; to
the American people it was an honor tS
themselves, through him. And how
grand and noble was his conduct in the
midst Of al the pomp and ceremony.
Not a place did lie visit but there re-
manned after his, departure greater re-
spect for his countrymen Of the young
Nation beyond the sea.
| From the day when he was stricken by
the mortal atfliction nothing occurred to
| dctract from the greatness OF his charac-
ter. Calm, cool, uncompla ming, as the
long days went by, his thoughts were all
upon the future of his family, and the
great heart was only troubled by fear
| that people might question his motives
and methods in an affair by which he and
his warmest and dcarest friends were
financially ruined. But this fear was
without foundation. Both in politics and
business all that is or can be said in criti-
| cism of the dead hero is that his confjding
nature and his belief in the honor and
| honesty of mankind caused him some
times to place his trust in unworthy and
designing men.
But his life is cnded-a life which has
been used by the Creator as one of his
greatest instruments in spreading the
blessings of personal liberty and free gov
ernment. And now his body will be laid
away and crumble into dust But years,
generations, centuries shall pass, and the
name and fame of Grant will shine as
brightly as those of any American who
has lived, or may live. Among all our
honored names-statesmen or warriors
there are three characters and records
which tower heavcnward. One it is be-
licved, alone of all our revolutionary
leaders, possessed those qualities which
made success and independence possible
against overwhelming odds. The second
| attachedte few lines of manuscript the
only signature which could make sheet
of paper the instrument with which to
strike the fetters from millions of slaves.
The third stepped in where many before
him had failed and by following policy
entirely of his,ewn creation. and in .oppo-
sition to the views Of many Of his,cotem
poraries. he succeeded in giving peace to
the distracted and almost hopeless people
of a Nation. Great are tthc names of
Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, of the Other
revolutionary heroes; of Seward, Stanton
Chase, all who directed the destinics of
America through the dark and dismal
| night of domestic conflict. But who, OF
our patriots that have lived and died,
has rendered such great service to his
country in its hour of need and what
other American name deserves to be en-;
graved SO high up on the altar of fame a
those of WASHINGTON, LINCOLN.
! GRANT? These are our demigods.
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