Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-08-09
A PRIVATE CITIZEN

PRIVATE CITIZEN
the privileges and immunities which are
largely denied him while public servant.
No doubt General Grant accepted the
care of his private business and the solace
Of his family with the expectation that the
declining years of his life would be full Of
blessings and Of comfort He was not
disappointed man. He did not feel that the
Republic had been ungrateful. He ex.
pressed publicly and privately and with eyi-
dent sincerity his profound gratitude for the
lind consideration which had been shown
bin BIZ his countrymen. He cherished no
resentment toward those who hal maligned
him. He had no reproaches for those who
had misjudged him. His public work was
finished with honor to his country and him
self. Why should he not be contented and
happy?
But his work was not finished He had
still to serve his eountrymen, not in the
camp or in the chair OF State, but in the
higher aud holier ministry Of torti' e in
misfortune and of patience in suffering.
There was
ONE BATTLE YET TO BE- FOUGHT,
single handed and alone. One more VIC
tory to be achieved. One laurel more to be
added to the wreath of the conqueror.
In any review Of the life and character OF
General Grant, our first thoughts will relate
to him as soldier. Doubtless it was
mis- chosen profession. As a young officer
in the Mexican war he secured rapid and de-
served promotion. His great opportunity
came at later period. 1t is said that
"great emergencies make great men" Not
all men are equal to great emergencies No
circumstances can develop in man what is
net in him. How many and how dismal
we're the failures in the early part of our
civil war? How true it came, that
the first shall be last and the last shall be
first Sherman was ridiculed as mad
man. Sheridan was unknown, Grant was
pleading at Springfield for Coloners COM
mission. Having obtained it he had to
fight foes both in front and rear. But he
had the genius of success. How rapidly he
developed his character, and conquered his
place as the greatest soldier which the war
had produced. A later and more matured
judgement, will place him in rank with the
few great captains of the world.
But Gen. Grant was more than great
Captain. He was also
STATESMAN.
There were those l know who honestly felt
that bis election to the Presidency was q
doubtful experiment. They feared the ef-
fects of the sentiment 80 common among
all people, which prompts them to admire
and reward brilliant military services.
They feared the danger Of selfish ambi-
ton in the person of military idol, intoxI-
Gated by elevation and tempted with the
possession of almost unlimited power Aside
from these dangers they feared the evil re-
suits which might follow the bestowsl Of
important civil trusts upon men with no
training or experience for their proper dis.
charge, As in previous similar instances in
our own history the administration of Gen.
eral Grant proved that these fears were
groundless. The same caution and fore
sight and good judgment and patriotic feel.
ing which enabled him while in command
of the armies to greatly aid Mr.. Lincoln in
solving the difficult problems Of the war,
were Just as usetuIlI and happily applied to