The National tribune., 1895-07-25
SOUR ULYSSES"
BY cHAs. W. skEzr. vtSros. IOWA. MAY 60. 1S0'

ny eHAs. W. sKEsr. vrxros. IOWA. MAY CO. 1875.
Who dreamed the hill-environed city
Upon the confines Of the Mississippi
Held. in the crisis OF the war. the man
OF mental power to originate the plan
And lead the Union army in the courses
That would defeat aud rou, the rebcl forces.
J. was forcknown the moment would arrive
When some to rend this mighty realm would
strive;
Foreknown, tina. In defense Of slavery
Millions would arm; and millions arm to FREQ
The Nation from the CALLING yoke OF those
Who of the Union were the fragrant foes;
Foreknown. would rule. sworn to conhne
The cursed thing within the sanctioned line;
Foreknown, the North would have n foe to meet,
Sworn to extend 1t: and when dire defeat
Seemed imminent. the hour for the advance
or "our Ulysses" struck; but not by chance
Some rudey ridicuisd the thought thsl he
So long enveloped in obscuri.y.
Should be exalted to the Iony post
or leading on the field q mighty hosts
But by his vsIor. his strategic skill,
His iron nerve. his almost wiilful will
His firm resolve that on the line" he'd drawn
He'd "fght IL out" from early Summers dawn
TIL reaping time was past. and Summer ended
Though meckness was, in him, with daring
bIended
He. under God. the rebels made succumb:
Then the wise braves who sneered at him were
dumb;
Then shouts arose which seemed TO rend the
spheres.
And made good Lincoln shed triumphant tears.
The Union thus saved from being rent,
And thradom damned on all this continent;
Then all the loyal sang the praise of him
Who, by the grace and power Of the Supreme,
rIaI LAM had a IL.
And thus promoted great Nations veal.
And when the great and glorious Lincolnf
BY a malignant devotce of hell
The assassin, who the Nations savior slew,
And almost made ~ martyr Seward, too
With heart and voice grateful people cried.
Let our Ulysses" at the helm preside.
The cry of Grant, once more. The heavens rent
Grant, the great conquerer, for President
For eight long years twas his to hold the helm,
And guide with skill the ship OF this wide realm;
He ruled the realm he saved with modest grace,
And, great in peace war, filed well bis place.
Theme OF great orators and poets songs;
Honored by peoples OF all tribes and tongues
Feted by princes and grandees of earth,
As If of noble or Of royal birth.
He bore his honors meekly, as q man
Insensible to Gattery only can.
In honoring him the potentates of earth
Honored the continent that gave him BRIT
mark OF greatness is to do great things,
And not to brag a. Babylon proud Kings.
Samson. who shonIdered Gaza's gates of old,
His exploit even his parents never told
This trait distinguished Grant, His words were
few,
Though mightier deeds no mortal man could do
With Washington aud Lincoln linked is he;
The three compose CoIumbia's trinity
Not to be worshiped; but by tongue and pep
Proclaimed as patriots. model men.
Historic pages of past ages scan,
Than Grant you cannot find n Drawer man;
And neer was bravery like his displayed
In a more righteous cause. IL was to save
His native land from wreck, and free the slave
To say to those who talked secession, hushI
To rtamp out treason and rebellion crush.
Repentant rebels he would fain forgive;
And, though not just. say to areh-traitors. live.
But pension such as swelIed the rebel yell?
Yes, tchen Heaven pensions all the hosts Of he'll.
Repsgnant, this, to justice and to reason,
rhis would be paying premiums for treason;
Treating the men who fought the States to sever,
Like those who fought that they might stand for
ever;
Twill stand for ever-aye, for ever true
The rebel gray. who fought the loyal blue,
Must bear in history rebeIlon's brand
That all the traitors doom may understand:
And in our youth those principles implant,
Which moved and svayed, and made illustrous
Grant.