The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-17
TWO MEMORABLE JOURNEYS.

TWO MEMORABLE JOURNEYS.
Another memorable journey has been taken.
Four years ago this summer the dying Gar
field was taken from Washington to the sea-
side, at Elberon, in the hope that the change
would do him good. The patient heroism Of
the dying President is we'll remembered, and
at that time was the admiration of the world
| For a few days the fresh air Of the ocean and
| the sight of the waves rolling in seemed to
help the illustrious invalid. But it soon be-
came apparent that no change could long avert
| the end. And there, with the roar of the At
lantic in his ears, the soul Of Garfield took its
fight. The journey from Washington to
Elberon has gone into the history Of this peo-
pie. Another remarkable journer was taken
on yesterday, and under very similar circum-
stances. Another of the Nations great men is
dying, and with the hope of prolonging his
life and adding to his comfort it was thought
best to take the sick man out of the dust and
heat of the city to the fresh air
Of the mountains Our news col
umns to-day tell how the trip was
made, and the account shows how desperately
i'll the man is. General Grants fortitude un-
der trying circumstances is known to all. His
illness has brought the whole world into init
mate sympathy with him. His patience un-
der the exquisite torture he has suffered is a
fit browning to life as noble as his has proved
to be. In all this land there is not an honora-
BILE man who does not honor him. With all
his great services to his country, in which a
smaller man would have made innumerable
enemies, we verify believe that General Grant
will leave this earth without even one His
record as citizen and soldier grows grander
upon closer scrutiny. Above all his abilities
as a soldier, he was patricia man who
loved his country and all its people; man
great enough to pity and to spare the feelings
of General Lee even on the field of surrender.
His course from the outset had been one Of
firmness and moderation. 1t was so to the
end. And when the Rebellion finally fell to
pieces under the blows he struck, he was
anxious that all should speedily resume their
| wonted Places in the Union. In all
his utterances there can be found
no bitterness, no sentiment of revenge. He
came forth from the animosities Of war with
out the smell of fire on his garments, and the
passing years have revealed him as possessed
Of one Of the noblest natures that ever ami
mated human being.
The thoughts of all the people were with
this man on his journey, yesterday, from his
city home to refuge among the mountains.
The indications are that he will never return,
but that there, under the shadows Of the hills,
and away from the rush and roar of the me-
tropolis, his life will end. Death seems nearer
to him than ever before. The man, once
strong is no longer what he was. Emaciated
by suffering and weakened by pain, his ener-
gy alone keeps him on his feet. The
end cannot be far The change for
worse has been great during the
past few days. and it is pitiful to note that he
could not articulate when he wished to speak
Of the scenes familiar to him in youth when
cadet at West Point. His face lighted up as
the aforementioned landscape passed in re-
view before him. but he was obliged to write
what he fain would have spoken. 1t is evil
dent that his days are few, and this journey
is to be a memorable one It is pleasing to
our pride as Americans that General Grant
was great in so many ways; great as soldier,
conqueror President, citizen, husband and
father; firm in all things, gentle in all things;
quick to forgive and forget. His ride to
death-if so this journey proves to be-must
have been sustained by the consciousness that
in all this land his fame is secure, his char
acter revered