The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-05-12

passed all former victories He literally
baggcd the confederate forces under Pember-
ton Thirty thousand officers and men stacked
their arms and surrendered 10 the victorious
leader, and the artillery, which had been thun-
dering their deadly missiles against his
brave army. fell into union hands He
had won this signal victory after repeated
assaults. after siege and battle with the odds
against him. confronted by a powerful well
disciplined and determined army. protected by
almost impeuetrable intrenchments and com
manded BY one OF the ablest OF the confederate
generals. He had fought IL against the advice
OF political generals and the suggestions OF the
strategic commanders in the rear. He started
out 10 do IL, and he did it, and that was q habit
Grant had His plans were well conceived and
fully executed He permitted nothing 20 divert
him from his original design He needed not the
clamor OF the meddlesome or the severe criticism
OF envious rivals He moved right on, steadily,
directly, strategically-made no parade of his
expected Vietory-was without the usual trap
pings and paraphernalia OF great commanders.
He was on duty. with earnest work before him,
and he relaxed not until he had achieved a vic
tory-without parallel in American annals
he was promptly made q major general ia the
regular army. His name became q household
word: his pictures were everywhere seen and
made his face familiar for the first time 10 his
countrymen: his fame was the theme OF every
highest eulogy; public meetings were held TO
do him honor thanksgiving and praise went
out from the pulpit and he was at once the &C
knowledged hero Of the war.
His civil administration covered eight years
two full terms as president OF the United
States. This new eXaltation was not OF his own
seeking-he preferred 10 remain general OF the
army with which he had acquired his great
fame. The country. however. was determined
hot fff1 -. Fea agT
ruler. The loyal people felt that they owed him
the highest honors which the nation could be
stow. and they called him 'front.' military TO
the civil head OF the government His term COM
menced March g. 1853. and ended n March
lsT5. II constituted one Of tho most important
periods OF our national life. II the period OF
Washington's administration involved the for
nation Of the union that OF Grants was con-
fronted with its reconstruction after a most re-
lentless internal struggle 10 destroy IT, II was
a most delicate era in which TO rule II would
have been difficult, embarrassing and haz-
ardous 10 any man. no matter how gifted or
what his previous preDaration or equipment
might have been Could anyone have done bet
ter than he we will not pause to discuss. DIFF
feTent opinions prevail and in this presence We
do not enter the deld OF controversy; but speak
ing for myself believe he was the exact man
for the place aud the time, and that he filed the
full measure OF the trust 10 which his fellow
citizens called him. He committed errors: who
could have escaped them At such a time and
In such place; He stood in his civil station
battling for the legitimate fruits OF the
war. that they might be firmly secured % the
present and pOsterity. His arm was never lifted
against the right for his soul abhorrcd the
wrong. His veto OF the imitation bill; his orgsni-
cation OF the commission TO settle the claims OF
the United States against England; ms strong
but couciiatory foreign policy: his constant
care 10 have no policy against the will Of the
people; his enforcement OF the constitution anC
its amendments in every part Of the republic,
his maintenance OF the credit OF the govern
ment and its good faith at home and abroad,
marked his administration one OF the strong
est. wisest and patriotic We ever had Good
and wise as his civil administration was. the
achievements which make him ons OF the I'M
mortal few whose names will never die are
found In his military career. Carping critics
have sought 10 mar H. strategsts have found
flaws In IT, but in the presence of his successive,
uninterrupted and unrivaled victories IL Is the
idlest chatter which none OF US heed. He was
always ready TO fight; II beaten to-day he re-
sumed battle on the morrow, and his pathway
IVES all along crowned with victories and sur
renders which silenced criticism and placed
him side by side with the mighty soldiers 'of
the world. With no disparageTnent TO others,
two names rise above the rest in American his
tory since George washington-transcende
above them. They are Abraham Lincoln aud
Ulysses Grant Zach will be remembered for
what he did aai accomplished for his race and
for mankind
Ills private life was beautiful in its purity
and simplicity. No trTeleve8t oath, II is said,
ever passed his lips after he arrived AT man
hood. and his conversation was as chaste acd
unaffected as that Of simple childhood His re-
lations with his family were tender and afiec-
a IT,
dial and considerable. He was q typical Amer
lean. free from ostentation. easily approached
His whole life gave proof Of his nationality: q
man from the people. OF the people, for the peO-
PIE. ard never above the people. For weeks
during the siege OF Vicksburg he was without
baggage or servant, camp chest or tent, shar-
ing the rEtiOus Of the private soldier, and
sleeping on the ground with no covering but the
heavens above him. On one occasion, in the de-
partment he was commanding, the steamboat
captain Disseminated against the private so,-
der, and would not permit him 10 ride as q
cabin passenger on equal terms with officers
and the travelling public generally. This COM
ing TO the generals knowledge he issued an i'm
mediate and peremptory order foroidcing such
un-Americau treatment and Furnishing with ex-
IRENE severity any future discrimination
against the bravest and best, his allies in the
great conflict His tenderness and respect for
the volunteer soldier was proverbial in every
army wherein be served, and any slight TO them
he repealed as 4 personal indignity.
Only a few years ago. In one Of his journeys
through the south, when he receiving
great ovation, the colored mel crowded his
hotel to look into his face and TO grasp the
hand OF their great deliverer. To this intrusion
objection was made and the colored men were
about 70 be elected when the Old hero up
peared. and in his quiet way, full OF feeling,
said: Where am they shall come He be-
Iieyed in the brotherhood OF man, in the polite
al equality Of all men; he had secured them with
MS sword. and was prompt TO recognize them
in all places and every where.
But my friends, death had marked him for
victim. He fought it with his iron will and
his old-time courage, but at last yielded, the
first and OILY time the great soldier was van
pushed: he had routed every other foe. he had
t-iumpted over every other enemy. bit this
last one conquered him, as il the end IL con-
quers all. It however. stayed it, fatal hand
long enough 10 permit him 10 finish the last
great work Of his life-to write the history he
had made. True, il had already been writ
ten; written in blood, in the agony Of
the dying and in the tears Of I suffering IA
ton: written in the hearts Of a patriotic
people. The ready pen OF others had
told more than q thous and times the match
less story: the artists had. q hundred
times. placed upon canvas the sOul-srirring
scenes in which he was the central figure; the
sculptor had cut its every phase in enduring
marble: yet kind Providence mercifuiIy spared
him few months longer, that he who saw Il
and directed it should sum up the great work
wrought By the Grand Army OF the Republic
under his magic guidance. He IVES not an old
ran when he died, but. after al. what com
plete life was his Mightier events and mighiier
were never crowded into single
life before, and he lived 70 place them in eadur-
ing form 70 be read by the millions living and
the millions yet unborn Then laying down his
pen he bowed resigreily before the angel Of
death. saying: IF it IS Gods providence that 1
shall 20 nov. am now ready to obey His will
without a murmur. Great in lie. majestic in
death. his fame will live and grow with in
creased luster 50 long as liberty lasts. and the
love OF liberty has place in the hearts OF men