Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-26

was supposed 70 nave ended before mlCdle ne I
was reached, one OF whom there were neither
expectations nor prophecies OF future great
ness would emerge from his long obscurity,
seize the advancing crest Of the wave Of oppor-
tunity, mold armies, organize victory and |
achieve imperishable renown. And yet this
was done in the case Of General Grant Nor
was there any sudden transformation IN his
career. He grew with events and circum-
stances around him. There was time for devel-
opnent between each marked period Of his life.
Men live aud learn with une1smpled rapidity
in the midst OF great events, and he broadened
and developed with marvellous force and quick
ness in the vicissi udes aud emergencies OF the
time. We see him first during the war hum
bic assistant 70 the Ad1utant General OF IlllEois,
organizing and eQuipping troops for the hele-
then Colonel Of a regiment, Brigadier-General
at Belmont hero al Fort Donelson, great
Captain at Shiloh, q wonderful strategist al
Vicksburg, a stubborn and unyielding fighter,
who would not accept defeat in she Wilderness
and in each and all fully equal to the require
ments and exigencies Of the occasion
Much learning has been displayed at vsrouS
times in critical analyses Of his military genius,
and various comparisons have been made be-
tween him and Caesar, Wellington, Napoleon
and other great chieftains OF the past and OF
history. AL this seems idle and useless now.
It matters very little TO the patriotic citizen
whether he was greater or less than these. He
served our purpose and was always equal to the
demands OF the time and thu occasion. Whether
this be the true test Of genius and proof indie
feasible OF its existence or not, is question OF
but little practical significance to-day, however
important il may be hereafter TO theorists, ab-
stractonists and antiquauans. What we now
know is that he was the Moses who led US
through the wilderness, and happier than his
prototype OF old entered with US into the
promised lani. He divided the waters OF the
I'D of rhar victorious
armies marched through in triumph He smote
the rock in the wilderness and the living waters
OF re-established government gushed forth
destined in the end, even by re son OF the fate
ful struggle and its results, 10 be brighter and
purer than Of yOre His life was marvel from
ls61 TO lis close. Beginning a subordinate in
the West, he rapidly advanced from rank 10
rank till he became COMMANDMENT Chief, and
was General Of the army-the highest position
| held by any one since George Washington.
Victory marched with him everywhere
| Wherever his banner was Unfu led triumph
| crowned and consecrated it. His name became
the synonym Of success until in the end the last
! estige Of the rebellion wa, crushed out and
| the unQuestioned authority Of the Government
| firmly and permanently established in all the
! States OF the Union The gratitude Of his
/ countrymen twice elected him 10 the highest
! office in their gift-that OF Chief Magistrate OF
! the re-established and ''indissoluble union OF
] lnGeStructlDle states HIS cup was lulI, the
/ measure OF achievement filed.
The first citizen of the Republic went abroad.
He was the honored guest of crowned heads,
noted warriors. distinguished statesmen. Be
| sides this, and more than this he was the idol
/ OF the people in every land he visited, who
| bowed before him as We bow before kings.
In the midst of all this adulatiOn,
under all this storm and tempest OF honors,
| he bore himself with the simple,
self-respecting dignity Of an American citizen,
| keeping steadily on IN the even and unvarying
| tenor of his way And when lie returned to our
| shores and our 6OO0l,OOI of people, from the
| Golden Gate TO Bar Harbor, rose up as one
man to greet him and do him honor, he received
| this wonderful ovation with the same dignified
! simplicity that had always characterized his
| conduct since his first assumption TO power.
! His modest Gemeauor seemed constantly to
recognize his American citizenship as his high
| est claim to distinction. This unassumlng sim
piicity of the man is something absolutely mar
| veous under the circumstances and makes
| picture which history VIII forever embalm and
preserve. In the midst of this furious tempest
Of applause from 60cOA0OO OF tongues, he stood
rs mpenetrabIe and apparently as unconscious
| rs his memorial statue before us to-day.
! He fought his last battle with death and
| achieved his last victory in the struggle. Gaunt
with disease, worn and wasted with pain and
suffering, struggling and working with imper-
| tUrDdDlt ITOW anu accompanying lips. KNOW
| ing full well that the end was at hand, but in
/ dexibly resoute that it should not come till he
was ready, he held death at bay till his life
| work was accomplished by the completion of
| his memoirs, in order that provision might be
made for his family. that otherwise would be
| left comparatively destitute. This last struggle
was the most touching OF his life, and ''eyes all
unused to tears" have melte1 in tenGerest
! sympathy 1t the picture Of the grim old chief
| tain fighting of death with one hand while he
| finished his life work with the other.
When his task was ended he turned his face
/ to the wall and died silent and accomplishing
as throughout his life. There nothing #
for HIM TO do. He had filed the full measure of
| glory and made ample provision for the loved
| ones left behind.
| And now, as we sorrowfuly stand in the pres
ence of this mute but eloquent memorial OF him
who has slept his last sleep and has fought his
| last battle" let us be mindful OF the lessons
| taught by his life and death-that we should be
true TO ourselves, faithful to the country, re-
! gardful of the family-so that we, too. VIII the
inevitable end comes may look back with com
posure. if not without regret, receive death
without repining
" . And go to take our places
| In the silent halls OF death
Not like the quarry slave scourged TO his dun
! geOn,
But approach our graves like those
W ~ NldP AAC NAoPOAS Va bASAA NONSA oOONb
them
And lie down to plea, ant dreams"
Mr.. PECK's GRAFTON
Hon. George K Peck, introduced by
| General Merritt spoke as follows:
| Fellow citizens: There is a time for all
things. Not aimlessly but with pious intent
our feet have wandered away from the daily
| clamor, to seek here the holier influences that
sweeten human lives. When hearts are tired
| is pleasant TO est in the shadows OF noble
and heroic character. Memories are here that
can not all be spoken. and hopes that thrill like
bugles in the morning air. This day We are
| summoned to higher purposes; this hour the
bronze lips of our old commander plead with
| us for the things that are better than life. It
| IS a fitting time. The harvests are gathered
The fields are touched with softening colors
The year puts on its autumnal robe. The very
that bends above us is in harmony with
| tender and reyerent thoughts. You dedicate
to-day no mere statue to victory. Something
more and something better was in the sculptor's
brain when he fashioned that august figure He
thought Of burdens borne without complaint
OF courage that never faltered, OF faith so stead
fast that the Nation, feeling its inspiration,
| went forward with unmurmuring trust to the
! glorious end. The statue is Grant but il is
| more Under the sun and under the cloud it
| will stand as he did, type of heroism, type of
| honor type Of that serene patience which is
| the very flower OF human character and which
| is found only in the highest natures.
The gods above approve
The depth, and not the tumult Of the soul!''
How well we came to know him! the bearded
| face, the resolute mouth the clear blue eyes
with the glimpse OF the lion in their depths
| the firm set frame that marks the man OF long
enduring blood. The Arabs OF the Nile have a
| saying: THE pyramids are never afraid"
| Something like their majestic strength was in
l.. ~ III nh