, 1885-08-09

lhat Orant be placed AT the head
of the army. and in obedience
to that demand, and in recognition
of his services and ability, President Lin
coin commissioned him commander-in-
chief. Assuming direct control of the
army of the Potomac, he found it disor-
ganized, dispiritcd and almost undisci-
plined. ~lnfusing his own courageous de-
termination and patriotic spirit into the
ranks, he silenced faction, systematized
confusion, harmonized conflicting ele-
ments and combined and consolidated the
aims and purposes of ALL In this enlarged
field he met what might be called his
first reverses, but although repulsed and
driven back, he gathered renewed de
termination from defeat, and was as con-
hdent of entering Richmond the day he
retired from Cold Harbor as he was the
morning Lee laid down his arms at Appom-
attox. And all through this great struggle,
whether bombarding the walls of DON
aldson, surrounding Vicksbure, or with
drawing from the Wilderness. he was The
same firm, determined man, and exhibited
those three grand qualities which especial
ly marked a great leader and a great man
faith in his followsts, confidence in his
cause, reliance upon his God. Whoever
may have doubted, whoever dispaired. the
faith of Gen. Grant never Gltered.
While others bowed and bent before dis
aster and defeat, as trees before the hurri-
canes blast, he, like the mighty oak in
the forest, deep-rooted in his faith. stood
defiant and defying. His sword temnered
in liberty's sacred flame, his torch LIGHTED
on freedoms holy altar. he knew the one
could not be broken nor the other extin-
guished as long as God guided the desti-
MES of men.
But why recount his triumphs ?
It's as a thrice told tale. Why review
the countless blessings, his matcble,s
courage, conferred upon the country and
upon mankind2 These are recognized
and appreciated by all Of all nations His
victories were the preservation of nonular
government. the yindication of human
rights, the maintenance of free institu-
tons. The war came and we are tbe bet-
ter for it; and none North or South would
now reverse its results. And as we burv
Gen. Grant to-day, let us hone that NAV
also be buried the feelings. the bitterness
the j~ealousies and resentments enpendered
by the strife, and hope that in Cod,
name they may never be resnrrected
Grant brought the war to a successful
conclusion, and if we are stronger to-day
as Il nation, more powerful as a neonlc If
we are greater and happier and freer than
before the war we owe much of this IN
Gen. Grant. 1t is idle to speculate and
say that the war would have terminated
as it did had Grant never been born We
know that Others tried and failed We
know that he tried and succeeded il is
idle to say that there were ~ grcat zen
erals in the wal as he-as none can noint
TO a career studded with such glory None
like he, started so low to rise 80 hipb L.
is idle to say that he was the creature of
opportunities -opportuniiie never create
they develop greatness-and it takes great
men to be equal to great opportunities
otherwise every tanner is a born warrior.
But whatever c%ayiling critic. ina, sav
whatever may may be the mundieed onin.
ions of the dyspeptic authors-whateycr
may be the conclusion of carpct Knight,
in whose hand the pen is miehtier Than
the sword, and who have done most of
their fighting with Sampson wcanon. the
verdict Of the nation is that Grant i. the
greatest general of modern time. and
that verdict cannot be reversed.
The browning glory of Grant life is
his record as a soldier; but his fame rests
not on that alone-but on his record rs ,
ruler and civilian as well. With him il
can be truthfully said that peace hath
her victories no less than war, 70 and while
he may have made mistakes as a ruler.
all will admit that they were those of the
head and not of the heart, while the set.
Ting of the Alabama claims by peaceful
arbitration instead Of the a~rbitrament of
arms will rebound to the glory of his adj.
ministration long after his mistakes have
been forgotten. While his domestic life
is a lesson and a legacy to all.
Each phase of his life brings out in
bold relief the different elements that
compose his character, and without which
no nan can be truly great. As a soldier,
VT behold his courage, his determination,
his selt-reliance, indomitable persever-
anee, and his magnanimity. As a ruler,
We see his patriotism. his honesty. his