The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-06-23

patriotism and by pride. Reproaches for
deeds beyond redemption, for conditions
gone forever; signs for hopes once enter
worse than folly-they may become crime.
Whoever gives his voice or his example to
nght or fan flame OF sectional discord among
tnis fraternal people aims at the Nations
not dared to &C. it, who from the one side
filings vain taunts and SCOTS, the lingering de-
mons or the past, or on the other sentimental
~ pirates of the resurrection of the molder-
can, pitch his prophetic vision through the
coming years over the prosperity, the gran
deur OF this land teeming with multiplied
millions of. freemen, rich in resources, en-
lightened by well.diffused knowledge, and
happy in developed life, and as he coDtem-
plates the safely-moving tram of human hap
piness, weigh the iniquity that would cast an
obstruction on its track. Rash with enthusi-
asm and inexpeFience, we sent out our earlf-
est body of troops as If victories in war re-
quired only a feverish desire. They soon re.
turned In panic and the land quivered with
tremor of humiliation and fear.
Mcclellan took the mob, and an army came
into being never surpassed in all the ages Of
war: That splendid corps was his, the Army Of
the Potomac. From the beginning to the end
it COPIED in constant struggle with the best
trained and best led enemy. In checkered
fortune, it bore the direst shocks and blows of
war, but none could break its spirit or its
form Relentless in its iron purpose. at last
1t gained the triumph of the age and took the
sword of Lee: Never more magnificent than
when he led it, through all its renowned
career it renamed McClellan's army and
loved him as its father to the end. And
though cruel fate denied him but to look upon
the g!ittering capital promised to its prowess,
the glory of his army that won it will forever
irradiate his name.
sand Hancock name was also called BY that
dread constable who summons to the grave
The superb Hancock! The beau ideal Of
manhOO6'S Enlondnrl FQrnv's Of tho
fighting General! Bred in all the learning Of
the martial art, practiced in its exercises, in
stature, port and speech, the soldier and the
gentleman in lustrous perfection. His
heroes of the battlefield, whom, from both
sides, history has chosen for the armament
of military fame In that great combat on
which. more than any single one beside. the
OF decision was committed to his conduct.
His command sustained the desperate assault
which Pickett led, stalking the battle on the is
sue; with bloody penalty, drove him back
and won the mOmentous day. And there,
stricken with grievous wound, his own
blood poured upon the earth. But it fell upon
the roots of his renOwn, and among the
laurels OF the field of Gettysburg Hancock's
springs immortal.
Upon the rocky side of your majestic Hud-
son another sepulcher has been builded, an
urn OF mortality Enclosed within 1t. And
thither, through coming ages far beyond the
ours and the great-souled of every land in
unceasing pilgrimage will hold their way to
feel the touch of glory there. For, In that
shrine of immortality are stored the ashes of
genius ruled the whrlwind Of war to the
salvation of the Republic. There, parted
from the sight of his lamenting countrymen.
the pershable form Of the encountered
Grant.
LET US pause for brief space to view the
outlines of the character and deeds which
are forever to be sweetly cherished in human
memory and love. In the wreaths you place
gratitude to all the heroes Of the Union. Not
that he was their victorious leader; but be.
cause in his own person, he was the idealiza-
ton OF the ideal attributes of the freeman in
war, IN soul, in faculties, in character in
power, in action, IN personitication of the
Union cause, and the combination of the
brightest eXcellencies Of it's soldiery.
1.-THE outbreak of the rebellion found him a
plain, unpretending man, modestly pursuing
an ordinary business, in the calm ambition
honestly to gain the moderate money need.
full to simple happiness in life. He was hus-
band and q father; he loved his wife and chill.
dren and they; loved him; the pure joys Of
home and friends and an honorable life
among his fellow men were the measure of
his wishes and his hopes. Nothing else save
the wisdom OF such continence-an unread
sign-marked his power or presaged his then
impending greatness. Oh! happy land OF
freemen! in whose unpretentious homes, in
wise .contentment despisng pOmp and show,
live heroes and statesmen equal to any need
and ready for any exigence! Whatever the
perilous conjecture, whether the alarms of
war demand the conquering General, or giant
wrong of state the upright, fearless puissant
Chief Magistrate, 10! there is he found,
heaven-marked for choice, among the Re
public 8 simple citizens.
but the soul of this plain man of Illinois
was tuned Oh the highest key of manhood.
He mad been instructed IN the art of war at
the Nations cost, and enjoyed subalterns
experience in It's army. He recognized his
duty, and instantly responded by the prefer
of his services. Modest and unassuming it
was the fortunate penetration of others
which gave him first regiment and then a
Brigadiers commission. There followed the
preparation. From our bad beginning hope
full anticipation of quick result had disap.
peared: long and dreadful war was certain;
the yastness of the territory and forces to be
ress made; and, though resolute of purpose,
the public mind was heavily oppressed. Who,
who, and where is he, who sha1llead the army
of our rescue!. was the question which tor
mented thought, while clouds Of doubt and
gloom hung over ALL
Upon sudden, the unexpected thunder OF
artillery reverberated on the sky from far-ofl
Tennessee, and, voicing all the Nation pray.
the unknown citizen of Galena TO his coun.
try's enemy: Nothing but unconditional
surrender. l propose TO move Immediately
on on your works Soon shiloh's two days
bloody turmoil of that first great fleld-fght
Grants unbending spirit held commanding
sway, and, prOphetically representing the
field Of the entire war, he wrought through
the threatened rum to complete victory. The
country-saw its desired leader now, but mill
tary pedantry and envy threw unjust tolls
about him, and fettered his ascendency. New
er we're the riches of his character more clear
md nj NkNA fryyn .s~< L. ia,
by no clamor the cares and counsels of those
above him; able to grandly lead, he was hon
estly snbordnate: nobly patient, he wrought
on for his country as best he might, and wait
cd for his day.
ut came. Restored to command, he wa.
pointed to Vicksburg. There lay the impreg
nable town, intrenched on the curving hills
dehantiy and securely guarding the grea
rich Southwest. Nature had made its access
by an army from the North practically impos
sible, and even if successfully approached il
was deemed invincible. Experts who have
compared the two by observation affirm Sebas
tapol to have been weaker in defensibility
During intense months of trial Grant
essayed to approach it with his army b!
every route daring ingenuity could
devise; In vain. Nature lent her appar
ent aid to discomft him; in truth, K
press from his undaunted brain its most glor
ious conception. Casting off the chains O
military teaching, and led by the inward ligh
OF genius, he gathered his reliant mel
| around him, intrepidly cut loose from suppl!
| or succor, sprang suddenly across the grea
! river into the midst Of q surrounding an.
outnumbering enemy. He instantly strucl
the foe on the field of FortiG Gibson, and thereb!
Grand Gulf fell: Then, like tho rapid light
| ming Of fearful storm, at Ray mond, attack
son, at Cham pions Hills, at the Blacl
river, he hurled the bolts of war on this side
and on that against the amazed and divided
adversary, won the four battles in six days
and drove the routed fragments within thei
| ramparts, his corrailed prisoners of war.
Having now securely re-established com
| munication by the river, he was able to re
| caiYe from the commander at Washinntnn al