The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-08-21
GEN GRANTS GREAT QUALITIES.


Augusta. Maine, the following eulogy was
delivered by Hon. James G. Blaine: pub
lie sensibility and personal sorrow over
the death OF Gen. Grant are not confined
to one continent. A profound admiration
for his great qualities and still more pro-
found gratitude for his great services have
touched the heart OF the people with true
svmnathy, increased even to tender emo
lions by the agony Of his closing days, and
the undoubted heroism with which he
morally conquered a last cruel fate. The
world in its hero worship is discriminating
ord nractical il not, indeed, selfish. Emf
nant Qualities and rare achievements do
not always insure lasting fame. A brilliant
or tor enchains his hearers with inspired
and inspiring gifts; and II his speech De not
successfully used to some popular recoiiec-
ton, his only reward VIII De III .ne
ence. A victorious general in war oil mere
ambition. receives the cheers OF the multi
t,de and ceremonial honors OF the govern
ment: but if he brings no boon to his coun-
try his fame will find no abiding place III
the centuries that follows. The hero LOT
the ages is he who has been CHIEF ana lore,
most in contributing to the moral anu
meterial progress, to thegrandeur ana glory
Of the succeeding generation. Washington
secured the freedom OF the colonies and
founded a new nation. Lincoln was the
prophet who warned the people OF the eviis
that we're undermining our Tree government,
and the statesman who was called TO inc
leadership in the work OF their extirpation.
Grant was the soldier, who by victory IN
the field gave vitality and force to the pom
cies and phianthropic measures which LIN
+l,an 90 q genera
ton and the security OF the repupnc.
Monopoly of fame by the few, in this world,
comes from an instinct, perhaps from
deep-seated necessity OF human nature:
Heroes can't be multiplied. The gods OF
mythology lost their sacredness and Their
powers by their numbers. The millions
pass into oblivion, the units only survive.
Who asked the great leader oil lsrael TO con,
duet the chosen people over the SANDS OF
the desert and through the waters oil the
sea into the promised land? Who marched
with Alexander from the Bosphorus TO In
dia. and who commanded the legions OF
Caesar in his conquest OF GaulI VINO
crossed the Atlantic with Coiumpus9 VINO
ventured through the WINERY passes OF uhe
Alps with the conqueror OF ltaiyI VINO
fought with Wellington at Waterloo? Alas,
how soon it may be asked who marched
with sherman from the mountain to the
sea- Who with Meade on the victorious
field ri Gettysburg? Who shared with
Thomas in the glories OF Nashville? Who
went with Sheridan through the trials and
triumphs OF the blood-stained valley? Gen.
Grants name will survive through centu-
ries because it is indissolubly connected
with the greatest military and moral tri-
umph in the history OF the United States.
II the armies OF the union had ultimately
failed the vast and benefcent destinies oil
Lincoln would have been frustrated, and he
would have been known in history as
statesman and philanthropist who, in the
cause OF humanity, cherished great aims
which he could not realize, and conceived
great ends which he could not attain; as
an unsuccessful ruler whose policies
distracted and discovered his country;
while Gen. Grant would have taken his
place with that long, and always increasing
array OF great men who were found want
ing in the supreme hour OF trial. But a
higher power controlled the result. God in
his gracious mercy had not raised those
men for works which should come to
naught. The expression OF Lincoln, no
human counsel devised, nor did mortal in
their accomplishments. Those human
agents we're sustained by something more
than human power and through them great
salvation was wrought OF the land. AS
long therefore, as the American union
shall abide with its blessings OF law aud
liberty, Grants name shall be remembered
with honor. AS long as the slavery OF hui
man beings is abhorred, and the freedom
OF man assured, Grant shall be recalled
with gratitude, and in the cycles OF the
future the story Of Lincon's life cannot be
told without associating Grant i'll the en-
during splendor OF his own great name.
Gen. Grants military supremacy was hon
estly earned, without factious praise and
without extraneous help. He had no in
n l. l. ~
cept such as was attracted by his achieve
ments. He had no potential friends except |
those his victories won to his support. He |
rose more rapidly than ever military leader |
in his day, from the command OF single |
regiment to the supreme direction OF |
million OF men, divided into great armies,
and operating over an area as large as the
empires OF Germany and Austria combined.
He exhibited extraordinary qualities in the
field. Bravery among army officers is
rule which happily has had few exceptions.
A general said, "Grant possessed quality
above bravery, he had an insensibjhty to
danger, an apparent inconsistencies OF
fear, and besides that he possessed an even
ness of judgment to be depended upon in
sunshine and storm" Napoleon said,
"The rarest attribute among generals is 2
O o'clock in the morning courage. mean,
he added, "unprepared courage, that
which is necessary on unexpected occa-
sions, and which, in spite OF the most I'M
forseen events, leaves full freedom OF iudg-
ment and promptness OF decision" No
better description could be given OF the
type OF courage which distinguished
General Grant. His constant readi-
ness to fight WAS another quality
which, according to the same great
authority, established his right as COM
mander. Generals" said the exile at st.
Helena, "are rarely found in the eager din
OF battle; they choose their position, con-
slider their combinations, and their indcci-
sion begins" Nothing" adds this great
est warrior OF modern times, lis SO difficult
as to decide" Gen. Grant, in his services
in the field, never once exhibited indecision,
and it was this quality that gave him his
browning characteristic as II military
leader. Heinspired his men with n sense OF
their invincibility and they were thencefor-
ward invincible. The career OF Gen. Grant,
when he passed from military to civil adj
was marked by his strong
qualities. His presidency OF eight years
was filed with events OF magnitude, in
which, il his judgment was sometimes ques-
A l.. ~. al,