Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-10-10
THE GREAT CAPTAIN.
dwelling of the Grant Statue at
Lincoln Park, Chicago.
a synopsis of the Eloquent Grafton De-
nvcred on the Occasion by judge
waiter Q. Gresham-A Tribute
to the Soldier Statesman.
Juner eREsHAM's ADDRESS.

CufcAao, Oct. THE following is
synopsis of the Grafton delivered by
Judge Walter Q. Gresham at the un.
yelling of the statue of Gen. Ulysses
S. Grant at Lincoln park in this city:
Mr. Chairman, I.isies and Gentlemen: 1t is
hardly necessary on this occasion to enter upon
any minute account OF the life and deeds OF the
man to whose memory this beautiful statue
has been erected. They are part OF the history
OF our country, and in the minds OF the
people are us familiar as household words
Wherever its history Is read, in whatever
nook and corner OF the habitable globe
there exists an intelligent interest in
the strength and perpetuity of our institutions,
the name and fame OF the illustrious soldier,
who was at once their product and their pre-
server have preceded aught that may now be
said of him. Many Incidents OF his public or
private life, however, will bear frequent repe-
tition because they serve to illustrate personal
characteristics which made him, In many re-
spscts, an ideal citizen OF our democratic re-
public and are worthy of our constant emu.
lation.
he was remarkably free from that vanity
and conceit which have been the weakness OF
many great minds and which seem to be the
peculiar vice OF men who have risen, like him,
from humble antecedents to n lofty eminence.
He had none Of the strut Of the first Napoleon.
as 1t was revealed in his private let
ters, his turgid addresses to the
armies of France and his cgotistlcai
assumption that he was man OF destiny; and
none of the boastfulness with which Cmsar an
nounced his victories in Asia Minor to the Ro-
man senate ever manifested itself In the
speech or writings Of the victorious leader OF
our armies. Greatness was never more uncon-
scious Of Itself than II was in him. The tri-
umphs of Grant from Belmont to Appomattox
never destroyed his balance, or affected the
mi
meanor.
Even with the confederacy at his feet,
final testimony OF his skill and prowess as
military chieftuin, he was not betrayed into
anything like exutation. and stopped the jubi-
liant firing of q salute In his command rs soon
as the sound Of the cannon reached his ears.
The gittering uniform OF the conquered leader
of the confederate armies contrasted strangely
with the plain and much worn habiiments OF
the conqueror; but Grant was more intent upon
the results OF the conference between them
than upon his own appearance in II. And
IT was not the result of surrender Of the con.
federate armies and final cessation Of hostili-
ties upon the north or upon partisan politics
that occupied his mind. In that supreme mo-
ment he ceased to be the leader of the union
army only. and thought and acted with broad
and enlightened craftsmanship and patriotism
for the whole reunited country. He thought
OF the feelings and sensibilities of the van
quished and of making the road towards
patriotic citizenship easy for them He thought
of the waste lands and impoverished communi-
ties of the south, which were again under the
old flag. and Quickened returning sense OF OBJ.
legation TO it by restoring to every confederate
soldier the horse or mule which had belonged
to him, and might be used again in making
and garnering the crops on which he
and his family would depend for their
sustenance. He thought more OF giving
an impulse to the pursuits of peace and indus
try among dis organized people, OF aiding
chem in the maintenance Of themselves, of
bringing them back into social as we'll as polit.
ical relations with the rest OF the country. than
upon his own part and lot in the accomplish
ment OF these saiutary ends In the struggle
that ended in final capitulation, he was never
actuated by the spirit OF revenge or hate, or by
aught else than high sense OF patriotic duty.
The failure of the southern people was not
due to any lack of courage or persistence, or
leadership in the field, but it Wps the inevita
BILE result Of their having Undertaken an i'm
possible task. 1t is natural that men who
were capable OF such effort should be
cemented together in bonds of sympathy and
friendship, and. so long as they are loyal to the
flag of the union, brave and generous men will
not censure them for cheriShing an affectionate
regard for one another and for strewng flow
ers on the graves OF their fallen comrades.
Grant had extraordinary abilities, and while
he never dwelt upon or thought about their
greatness or measured or compared them with
the abilities OF others, he knew just what they
were, their extent and limitations what might
be accomplished by them, and what was be-
yond their reach He was never misled by
rating himself too high or too low In Mexico
he had shown unmistakable sense and courage
In n subordinate capacity, but in our late war
he began the study OF himself as a commander
and leader OF men, and he soon mastered the
lesson. t..
AS he became conscious OF his powers he re-
lied with unshalIen confidence upon his own
judgment, He held few IL any councils Of war;
He succeeded In great emergencies by his ma
tive strength of will and int elect and his reso-
Lutte persistence where men OF more learning
and better versed In military science, but with
less natural capacity, would have failed What
they are obliged to learn, he seemed to know
intuitively He disregarded elementary
maxims of war; without hesitation. when they
were plainly the outgrowth OF conditions rad
cally different from those which confronted
him. He was equal to any command or emer-
gency. But there was no afectation OF dash or
briliancy about his movements. The boldest
of his campaigns and battles were not deter
mined upon without dellberation, and an intel
ligent comprehension OF the obstacles IN his
path and the means at his command for
overcoming them And having once
entered upon the execution of his plans, re
verses which would have discouraged less res
olute and far. sighted men never impaired his
confidence In ultimate success, or disqualified
him for seizing upon unexpected advantages
and profting by them. With definite end al
ways In view, without wavering or vacillntion
and ever ready, with large resources, to adjust
his plans to any change of circumstances
Grant pressed determinedly on to an invariably
successful Termination. He never lost the
fruits of victory through inactivity.
The Vcksburg campaign was begun ant
prosecuted amid the vrulent censure Of him
self. popular clamor for his removal, the jeal
ousy OF martinets. and the doubts and misgiv
ings OF some Of his faithful and trustworth!
subordinates; but IL went steadily on until 4
reached triumphant conclusion. Its ent
sealed the fate of the confederacy restored conf
dence in the efficiency of our armies Throughout
the north and among loyal people everywhere
and all but the quiet and undemonstrativ,
soldier who had brought IT about and 70
whom IL was personal triumph as well MS
union victory. gave way to q delirium OF Joy an'
exultatlon No success ever turned his head
He commanded himself as successfully as h
commanded armies. and where he led. all fel
safe against the consequences of incapacity O.
rashness.s ~ ~ "a @ t VT
Although educated ut West Point, he was no
n professional soldier Instead of liking war