Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1886-03-11
MEXICO, MISSOURI THURSDAY, MARCH IL, 1886.

Tor al speecn-maklnS. AnQ tHat was
as bad taste as 1t would have been
for blind man to affect contempt
for seeing. II Grant had possessed
the ability to speak, he would have
used it as constantly as kitten does
its tail. Some dull wit, or rather
witless Ounce has attempted to palm
off some sorry attempts as the "say-
ings of Grant" The wit of Grant,
like the beauty of the "lamented
Lincoln" was something which we
only ''read about" Our book heroes
and our real heroes look no more
alike than horse and handsaw.
An Italian paper tells us that it takes
experience to make a statesman.
Probably this was why Grant was so
sadly deficient in that commodity.
When called to the executive chair,
he had experience in stables, bar
rooms, dog-kennels, and strategy
be id" process of warfare, but
certainly no experience in state af-
fairs. Hence the great number of
Infamous acts that became laws, and
corrupt Legislation that fiourished
during his administration. 1t was
during his eight years of White
House life that over lOO,OOO,OOO
acres of the public land was given to
railroad corporations. That the
public debt was doubled by passing
an act entitled "an act to strengthen
the public credit" by which the
bonds, both principal and interest,
were made payable in coin, thus
doubling the purchasing power of a
dollar and consequently making it
twice as hard to pay a debt already
contracted; that silver was demone-
tized; that the salary grab" was
inaugursted; that the whisky ring
flourish ed; that the credit mobilier
existed, and numerous other isms of
corruption and iniquity were institu-
ted or countenanced.
Grant was great admirer of the
'Heathen Chinee," and it would not
be too much to say that he was re-
sponsible to some degree for the
presence of this obnoxious race of
penny an hour" workers in our land
In such aggravating numbers. When
we reflect that one of the first native
emperors of China, who founded the
Imperial family Of Tamingus, was. in
his origin something like cook, who
first distinguished himself as a COM
mon thief, then rose to the dignity of
a highwayman, and finally advanced
to be General and then an Emper-
or, we can imagine President
Grant studying this little piece of
history with as much enthusiasm as
a brain habitually stepped in the
fumes of smoke and whisky was ca
pable of. From a common thief and
drunken general Tamingus became
Emperor. From a wandering waif
and Incorporate general Grant be-
came President. Hence the brotherly
sympathy, as it We're, between Grant
and John Chinaman. But there is
vet another phase of Grants life, 1.
e., private or secular. After having
neld the highest official positions
within the gift of mighty nation ;
after making tour around the globe
and receiving an ovation at the hands
of every kindred tongue; and after
having immense sums of money Civ.
Ell him, it seems that the evening OF
his life should have been full oi
''sunset splendor. But alas. the
last scene in the drama of his life was
to be enacted with thief, who now
languishes behind the bars. 1t is
probable Grant knew nothing of the
frauds practiced by bis business
J partner, and granting he was ignor
ant of Wards methods of business
it is but another link in the chain Of
logic that proves him to be but 6
mediocre of circumstance. Fol
what genius, or man of even medium
ability, after having received "glory
ami honor enough for ten men," anC
: having made his last move upon thu
! chess-board of public affairs, woult
settle down to quiet life and trust hi
fame in the hands of a comparativ,
stranger, as an advertising medium
z and his visible means Of sustenance
, as ca pital to speculate upon, in bus
mess he knew nothing about! Ant
in those latter days how about th,
| animal indulgences he formerly prae
ticed? Early Impressions innat
q shackles are hard to unfetter, and a
e the "old man of the sea" clung t,
e "Sinbad, the sailor,' intemperat,
s habits clung to Grant to the end o
: the chapter. 1t certainly is har'
!: lines to the admirers of his fame, t.
: know that his fnis was produce,
e by cancer Of the mouth eccasicna
Y by an excessive use of the weed, an,
8 yet such, we are told, was the case
q This certainly is the last stroke t
!. WELD the chain of circumstances
u greatness about the life Of Gran,
e For what man, truly great, woul
J. have gratifed his appetite to such
e beastly extent as to produce his dc
q nisef
1t In conclusion, Mr.. Editor, "
e would say that We take no pleasure i
j. tearing the veil from these sad pa
II saoea of the life of the denarte