Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-11-06
MisCellanenMs.
BEECHER ON GRANT.

The following is the culogy on Gen.
Grant delivered by Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher in fremont Temple, Boston,
recently:
Another name is added to the roll Of
those whom the world will not willingly
let die. A few years since storm laden
clouds filled his heaven, and obloquy,
SANDER and bitter lies rained down upon
him The clouds are all blown away.
Under serene sky he laid down bis
life, and the nation wcpt Tho path to
his tomb is worn by the feet of nnu-
merable pilgrims.
The widowed lips of Islander arc silent,
and even criticism hesitates lest some in
cautious word should mar the history of
tho modest, gentle, magnanimous war
rior. The whole nation watched his
passage through humiliation and mis-.
fortune with unfcigned sympathy; the
whole world sighed when his life ended
At his burial the unswordcd hands of
those whom he had fought lifted his
bier and bore him to his tomb with love
and reverence. Grant made no claim
to saintship. He was a man of like
passions and with as marked limitations
as other men. Nothing could be more
dlstasteful to bis honest, modest soul
while living, and nothing moro unbc-
coming to his memory than, lying cx-
aggcrations and fusomc batteries.
Men without faults are apt 10 be mon
without force A round diamond has
no brilliancy. Lights and shadows, bills
aud valleys give beauty to the land
scapc. The faults of great and gcner-
Gus natures are often over-ripe good
ness, or the shadows which their virtues
cast. Three elements enter into the
career of great citizen; that which bis
ancestry gives; that which opportunity
gives; that which bis will develops.
Grant came from sturdy New Eng
land stock, New England derived it
from Scotland, and bred it at time
when Covcnanters and Puritans we're
made mon Of iron consciences, ham
mered out on the anvil of adversely.
From New England the stream flowed
to the Ohio, where it enriched the soil
till it brought forth abundant harvcsts
Of great men. When it was Grants
time to be born, he came forth without
celestial portents, and his youth had in
il no prophecy of his manhood. His
boyhood was wholesome, robust, with a
vigorous frame With heart suscepli-
bio of tender love, he yet was not social.
He was patient and persistent He loved
horses and could master them. That is
good sign. Grant had no art of Gre.
ating circumstances; opportunity must
seek him, or else he would plod through
life without disclosing the gifts which
God hid in him. The gold ia the hills
cannot disclose itself II must be sought
and dug. A sharp and wiry politician
for some reasons Of Providence per-
formed generous deed in sending young
Grant TO West Point. He finished his
course there, distinguished as skillful
and bold rider, with m inclination to
mathematics, but with little taste for
the theory and literature Of war, yet
WIN oJnp@suJ iVr ITO cAbcTHul Huu ma
terial developments. In boyhood and
youth he was marked by simplicity, can
dor, veracily and silence. After lcav-
ing the academy he saw service in
Mexico and aftcrward in California, but
without conspicuous results.
Then came cloudcd period, a sad
life Of irresolutc vibration between self
indulgence and aspiration. Through in
temperance he resigned from tho army
and at that time one would nave feared
that his life would end in eclipse. 1t
was later in his life that Grant destroy
ed the enemy that "biteth like sor-
pont and stingeth like All adder At
length he struck at the root Of tho mat
ter. Others agree not TO drink, which
is good. Grant oyercamo the wish TO
drink, which is better. But the cloud
hung over bis reputation for many years
and threatened bis ascondency when bet
ter days came.
Of ali his victories, many and great,
this was the greatcst--that he conquered
himself His will was stronger than
his passions. He was good subaltorn,
q poor farmer, worse tanner, u worth
loss traflickor. Without civil expert