Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1891-06-13

by the Fifteenth Regiment bandex.G Gov.
Hoard stepped forward and in a short
speech performed for his modest friend,
Mr. Kohlsaat, the duty of presenting
the statue to the city of Galena. As he
concluded the flag dropped, the dainty
fingers of little Pauline Kohlsatt,
daughter of the donor. unfolding the
cord, and while the multitude cheered
and cheered again the band played
"llail to the Chief" Ex-senator Nc.
Clellan formally accepted the statue in
the name of the city of Galena. Gov
Fifcr responded for the state of Illinois
and Judge Crabtree, of Dixon, for the
Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr.. Dcpew was introduced and en-.
Enthusiastically greeted. His Grafton was
mastery effort even for so great an
orator.
Mr.. Depew referred to the modest lie Of Gen.
Grant while citizen OF Galena, and rehearsed
his entrance into and early experiences In tho
army which was raised TO quell the rebellion
Grants career will be the paradox OF history,
Grant, at the age Of 40 years, was an OBJ
scure leather merchant in Galena. As q cadet
at West Point he had risen only Just above the
middle OF his class AS a subaltern on the
frontier and In Mexico he had done no more
than perform his duty with the courage and
capacity OF the average West Pointer.
He had pursued agriculture with his Gus
tomary conscientious care and industry He
was not afraid to do the work Of the farm
himself nor ashamed to ride into st. Louis
upon the load Of wood which he was N seli
10 pms ~ up MS Cus1uIner, and YET almost
any farmnr in Missouri was more successful.
Clients failed to retain him as surveyor his
real estate Office ehad to be closed, aud he was
not factor in the tanners firm
But the moment that the greatest RESPONSE
Utilities were thrust upon him, and the fate Of
his country rested upon his shoulders this In
different farmer business man, merchant,
became the foremost figure of the centu.
ry. The reserve powers OF domi.
rant intellect, which ordinary affairs
could not move, came into action. A
mighty mind, which God had kept for the
hour of supreme danger TO the republic,
grasped the scattered elements OF strength,
sodifed them into resistless force and or.
ganized victory. He OWNED the purposes Of
the enemy as we'll as he knew his own plans.
His brain became clearer, his strategy more
perfect, and his confidence in himself more
serene as his power increased.
The most signal service rendered by Grant
10 his country were at A pomatox and in his
contest with President Johnson. The passions
aroused by the civil war were most infamed
when the confederacy collapsed. Grief
and vengeance are bad oounselors One
serene intellect was possessed OF an In
tuition which was second to prophecy, and was
clothed with power. Ho saw through the vim
dictive suggestions OF the hour that the Sc
ceded states must be admitted TO the nnion,
md their people vested with all the rights OF
American citizenship an. all the privileges OF
state government. or the war had been fought In
vain He sternly repressed the expressions OF
10y by his troops as the vanquished enemy
marched by, with his famous order: "The war
is over, the rebels are our countrymen again.
and the best sign OF rejoicing after the victory
will be to abstain from oil demonstrations In
the field" He gave to the confederates their ,
horses and belongings and told them TO 90
home, cultivate their farms and repair the raw
ages of war.
The honors Of civil life could add nothing to
the fame Of Gen. Grant and it has been
often argued that his career in the presi'
dency detracted from his reputation. Such
will not he the judgment of the i'm
ence or training for public life and unfamil.
far with politicians and their methods. The
spoils system, from which he could not escape,
nearly wrecked his first administration. HIS
mistakes were due to q quality which is the
nobest Of human virtues, loyalty to friends.
On great questions affecting the honor and
credit of the nation he was always sound and
emphatic. ..
Through the verses Of great poets runs a fa
miliar strain, through the works OF great com
posers an oft-repeated tune, and through the
speeches OF great orators recurring and CHAR
scteristic thought These are the germs
which exhibit the moving forces OF their
minds During the war ~ propose to move i'm.
mediately upon your works." Unconditional
Nlrrender,m II shall take no backward steps
II propose to fight II out on this line II y
takes all summer" are the beacon lights of
The plans and strategy OF Grant the soldier.
Al hppomattox, "The war Is over The rep
es arc our countrymen again" at the thresh.
old of the presidency, Let us have peace;"
on his bed OF agony and death at mount MO
Greror, when his power OF speech was gone,
writing TO q confederate general by his bedside:
"Much as suffer- do it with pleasure II py
that suffering can be accomplished the union
NJ INV country" are the indices of the labors
Tho aspirations and the prayer OF Grant tht
siatesnan and the patriot