Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1885-08-21
GEO. Il. WILLIAMS GRAFTON.


n the cabinet Of General Grant and
Suew the General we'll and eolld per-
haps give greater satisfaction in the
discharge of this Office than any o.her
man in Oregon. But the oration de-
livered plainly slows that the selection
made of the orator was unfortunate.
Mr.. Williams was Attorney General
under General Grant and IN common
with other members of General Grants
cabinet and appointees about Washing
ton suffered exceedingly in spirit from
the press; the stump, and in partisan
circles. Without going into the merits
OF this war of inyectives upon the ora
tor we can see plainly that he consider
ed the occasion. of General Grants fu-
eral exercises his opportunity to relieve
his mind of the revengeful feeling that
has slumbered there for long time
1t was said when Mr.. Williams reach
ed the Senate, that be and Genera Mes
mirh were faYorable to the policy of |
Andrew johnson. General Nesmith |
so understood Mr.. Williams and was |
undeceivel in his opinion until Mr..
Williams delivered his speech on re-
construction. From that time on Mr..
Williams became determined even to
bitterness in his war upon the South.
And during his whole career in the
Senate, and as Attorney General he
maintained that uncharitable and re-
vengeful policy towards the South that
characterized his conduct from first TO
last. And in his grafton he was pleas
ed to have the opportunity to say that
knowing what | do If I had been
President [ would have made my little
finger heavier than the loins of General
Grant" This expression reveals the
true standing of Mr. Williams among
the great men of our nation. He was
one OF those WHO did their fighting
within The quiet and pleasant retreat
! Of the parlor or in the busy rotunda of
some popular hotel. For partisan gain
and personal advancement he was wilt
ing to sacrifice those principles Of just
ice that characterize the noblest of men
= whether foes In war or reconciled COM
batants In peace. At no time had Mr.
Williams high character for states
maaship or ability to represent the spir-
. it Of a people who have conquered all
their faults in governmental relations
! and now desire 60 settle down upon
, those honorable conditions Of peace
that should harmonic the clements Of
our nationai household. On the con
trary he IS a mere partisan with all of
the low reyenges slumbering in his
breast that are essential to partisan
warfare and parrish degradation. In
this atmosphere he lives and even at the
grave of really the only great man who
stood By him in his day of trial to save
him from censure he finds it in his
heart while the requiem cf rest, peace,
and forgiveness filed the ears and
hearts Of every on, to talk about the
''bats and owls of politics" and Char
pies Of tle press" that were no more
annoying to General Grantin life, than
6 in death. The dead general now sleep
ing SO peacefully has forgiven all his
enemies. He had in contemplation of
; death strewn the pathway to his own
grave with branches of the olive and
with emblems of love. The poisoned
pen had lost its power. The tongue Of
) the calumniator was paralyzed. The
debasing arts of the partisan were all
deeply buried. The virtues of the
distinguished dead appeared above all
= THAT WIS VA cal CI- IHe ueeLI6 OIL a
great people was doing him honor.
The vanquished were among them.
They that had been enemies in life
!. were now friends in the dying hours
'The sepulchre was in their garden.
The heavens we've opened to receive
the sweet and grateful fragrance that
rose up flom the contrlte and forgiving
heart of Il great people. In this hour
> of our nations triumph of peace over
the bitterness of war; when minute
! bells and guns all over the land pro-
claimed the solemn victory; a victory
: that the death of this great man gave
to our people for at his grave a nation
was reconciled. There was one re-
vengeful and vindictive voice that
l lacked The warm impulses of god-like
j heart to guide it, That voice was not
: for peace, not for forgiveness; not for
3 reconciliation. The '.little finger" Of
: the man of whose voice We speak, was
/ heavier for prosecution than Grants