The herald., 1896-03-09
which the public has not heretofore
had the pleasure OF seeing or hearing.

Supposing it were TO develop that
General Grant had, at certain period
in his life, been professional teamster
or driver? Gould that hurt Grant? /
have not seen anything that went to
prove that that ever was his regular
business, but have heard many things,
backed by the most positive proof, that
in the transaction of his regular busi-
ness he had performed the duty of
driver, and on various occasions taken
the position of driver in an excursion,
both of pleasure and business, as in
the case of his trip from Galena to
GAINESVILLE in 1860. Not soul who has
read the history of Grant will think
any the less of him because of that.
No one would think any the less of him
were it established beyond doubt that
for a year, or for years, he had been a
professional teamster. A man who is
great enough to command a million of
meu and be president is not hurt by a
teamster record, nor can his family be
hurt by it. The fact that in the short
space of four years he could rise from
the rank of a retired captain to that of
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and be crowned with
greater military achievements than any
other man Of modern times, and then
serve eight years as president, is the
best proof that il he were q teamster
he had metal in him for something
else.
By the way, other pretty good men
have been teamsters. One of the
graudest governors Wisconsin ever
had was stage driver for years. 1t
did not hurt grand old Jerry Rusk
later on to have it known be had been
a stage driver. He was pleased to hear
the fact mentioned. Vino thinks any
the less of the great war president
bocause Mr.. Lincoln, TO keep the pot
boiling, split rails; or of George WASH
iDgtOn because he once caaried chain
for a surveyor? Who thinks less of
Garfield because he rode mule that
hanled q canal boat? Garfield was a
professional teamster in a way, but
IT 1idn't hurt his reputation when he
was great enough for president. Who
thinks less Of one of Wisconsin's
grandest characters because, when
lie frat came to the state, he had to
chop cord wood at 25 cents cord or
go hungry? Who thinks less of ex.
Governor W. D. Hoard because be was
a wood chopper? Men speak of it as
compliment. Who thinks less of John
M. Thurston, Nebraska's senator, be-
cause he was drayman in Chicago at
one time? Or of Ex-Governor and
General Alger of Michigan, who drove
team in the pineries? Who thinks
less of Minnesota's senator, Cushman
X. Davis, because he drove his fathers
team and held his fathers plow?
Who thought less of Henry Ward
Beecher because, when he first be-
gan his ministerial career he was
obliged to milk the COW and do the
stable housework? Does any one ever
hold it up against Daniel Webster be-
cause he earned needed shillings as a
chore boy! Who thinks less of Bsnja-
min Harrison because, when he first
began housekeeping, he was his own
chore boy and his wife the kitchen girl:
Look back into the life of almost any
successful merchant, manufacturer,
railroad official, lawyer, doctor, educa-
tor, publisher, and you will find that
some time he was glad to work for
living that was not better than being II
teamster. The teamster has an honor
able calling. If it is in MIN to graduate
from that calling to the head Of col
lege. q nation, railroad, great paper,
why, of course, it is not against him.
}: A. Watrous in Chicago TImes-Her-
old