The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1891-06-10

| To enter Richmond. the capital OF the Con-
| fvderacy, whose spires had been ia sight OF the
besiegefs 10 long would nave been r s;n
| was not on spectacular display or triumphal
marches over Inundated foes. 1t was bent ON
peace and pacification. i know of no scene in
our history so dramatic as the Meeting between
! Lincoln and Grant at the White House three
days after tho surrender ut Appomattox. The
| President, who had SO Loyalty sustained the
| General and the General who had so nagnif-
Gently responded TO the confidence OF the presi-
dent, met for the last time In their lives. Grant
returned with deep emotion the fraternal grasp
OF the only man in the country who fully un-
derstood and was in complete accord with the
policy OF reconciliation and repose. The work
OF the warrior was done and the labor of the
statesman begun. Yesterday il was destruc-
ton tomorrow IL must be reconstruction.
That night the bullet OF tho assassin ended
the life OF greatest President since WASH
ington, and postponed the settlement OF sec
tional difficulties and the cementing OF the
Union for many years.
There have been many Presidents OF the Uni
ted States and the roll will be indefinitely ex-
tended We have had a number OF brilliant
soldiers but only one great general. The honors
OF civil life could add nothing 10 the fame OF
General Grant, and it has been often argued
that his career in the Presidency detracted from
bis reputation. such will not be the Judgment
OF the impartial historian. He without
experience training for public life and un-
familiar with politicians aud their methods.
The spells system, from which ne could not
escape, nearly wrecked his first administra-
ton. His mistakes were due TO u quality
which is the n0blest OF human virtues-loyalty
10 friends. Even ut this short distance
from scenes so vivid in our memories party
rancor has lost its bitterness and blindness
On great questions affecting the honor and
credit OF the nation he was always sound and
emphatic, and the admin tration OF Gen.
Grant will have n place in the annals of the
world for inaugurating and successfully carry
ing out the policy of the submission OF int err
national disputes TO arbitration, The Geneva
conference and the judicial settlement of the
Alabama claims will grow in Importance and
grandeur with time. As the nations OF The
earth disband their ornaments and are gov
erned by the laws of reason and humanity they
will recur to this beneficent settlement between
the United States and Great Britain and Con.
Grants memorable words upon receiving the
freedom of the city of London: Although n
soldier by education and profession, L have
never felt any sort OF fondness for war and
peace"-and they will hail him one of the
benefsG tors of mankind.
GS:- GRANT was the product and representa-
tive IL the best element OF our social lie.
Home and its rs sociations have been the train
ing aud inspiration of our greatest and noblest
men. They have come from the class which
had neither poverty nor riches, and which was
compelled TO work for the support OF the family
and the education of the children. Its members
are God fearing men and loving, self sacrificing
women. 1t gave US Lincolnsfrom the farm, Gar
field from the tow path, sherman from the
crowded house of the brave and struggling wild
ow, sheridan from the humble cottage, and
Grant from the home OF the country store
keeper of the Ohio wilderness. These men
never lost their sympathy with every human
lot and aspiration or the homely simplicity OF
their early conditions and training. Grant
was clerk in the Custom House and Presi-
dent OF the United States, Il Lieutenant III