Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-04-28


and mental torturcs which would have
| crushed Il character less heroic. Like
other conspicuous leaders, II was his fate
| to suffer the bitter experience of de-
traction, misrepresentation and betrayal.
| II may be said of him, was said of a
predecessor: There were times when "a
men applied for the same office. and
after he had reached the selection he
found that he had made 10 enemies and
one ingrate" He was assailed more Bit
terly than anyone who ever sat in the
chair or state. save Washington. He
was brought to realize that "Reproach
is a cOncomitant to greatness, as satire
and invectVe were an essential part of
IA Roman empire and to learn that in
public life 'all hours wound the last one
Killed. Envy and malice made him at
times the target for their poisoned shafts,
but their fragments fen at his feet, as
shattered as the regulations of those
who aimed them. and even the wrath Of
his enemies may now be counted in his
praise.
General Grant was Il man who seemed
TO be created espe cially tomeet great emer-
EcncieS. 1t was the very magnitude OF
the task which called forth the powers
that manifested IL. Whether leading and
attacking Mexico, debating the terms or
surrender to countless thousands in the
war of rebellion. suddenly assuming vast
responsibility in great crises. both n
peace and in war. writing state papers
as ITtSlttIl. winch were 10 nave al ldtSb-
ing bearing upon the policy of the gJv-
emment. travelling through all the lands
and minGling with the descendants OF Il
line of kings, who rose and stood uncoN,
cred in his presence, he was always equal
10 the occasion and acquitted himself
with the success that challenges the ad-
miration of the world. In trivial matters
he was an ordinary man. in momentouS
affairs he lowered as giant. As John
son said of Milton: He could heW
colossus from The rocks he could not carve
faces on cherry stones.
Even his valor on the heId OF carnage
was not superior to the heroism he dis
played when in his fatal illness he con-
fronted the only enemy to whom he ever
Eurrendered ii. His old will power reas-
serted itself in his determination TO com
plcte his memoirs, During a whole month
of physical torture he, with one hand
held death at arms length while with
the other he penned the most brilliant
chapter in American history
II WAS twelve years since he left the
living here to join the other living, com
monty called the dead and the laurel en-
his brow was intertwined with the cy-
prus. His last words, uttered at the
clcse Of his agouizing illness were emf
rentlV characteristic Of his patience ana
consideration for others II hop no one
win be distressed on my account" Now.
that more than decade has passed. since
he stood among us. we can form "A better
estimate of his character than when he
was close by. Time has shed clearer
light upon his acts. He has reached
higher altitude; distance has brought him
into the proper focus and the picturs
upOn which we now look appears In its
true proportions. Ne see his traits
nodded intoEerfect symmetry and b,endei
into majestic harmony. "a tree can best
De measured when il is down.
He reached thu highest pinnacle OF hu-
man distinction. Men have dwelt upon
his achievements till they know them all
by heart. The record Of his deeds rise to
the subimity of an epoch. The story or
lgfS iifa iG worthy 10 IN MIA tiOp al
ages. He needs no eulogists; his services
attest his greatness: he did his duty ana
trusted to history for his need of praise
The more history discusses him the more
rilliant becomes the luStre of his name.
He was a natural leader: he was born 10
command. He was one of the men who
marked TIE hours while others only
sound them No one can rob him Of a
single lnurel: no one can lessen the
measure of his renown- He honored the
age In which We live, and future genera
tiOns viii be Illuminated by the bright
ness of his fame
His countrymen have paid him Il til
butte Of grateful hearts, that have re Irci
a monumental rock scpulchrc for his
ashes. a temple to bis fame. The fact
that IL has been butlt by the voluntary
contributions Of the people will Givc CT.
citizens ~ individual interest in pre-
serving il, in hOuoring IL. il viii stand
throughout the ages upon its conspicuous
promontory. this ideal site. 1t will over
look the metropolis of the republic. which
his efforts saved from diSmemberfnt nj:
ii will be reflected in the noble waters OF
the Hudson, upon which pass the argo-
sizes of commerce. So largely multiplied
BY the peace secured by his heroic dects.
me toilln& OF passing btlls VIII replace
me echo oi ms hoStl!e guns II WIS ho'
lIV'tsSatl ,Vi Hts I'lo"h II 'iI1t tiiIs memo
ti"L st'Vuip "t 'tt'i VI n ~ I"t'yIi pios-
iii ~ f. ~ -, 't i,'ltit
80 rr,,n,bl - .,,f H. ,,i,a,i,., - = -,
iShed In ths r,ovn,nc,t f3r the erection
81 This nemori@I il vn's nnt his ren,Ita
lion Thai was nj stake II wns tht. Re nllt;,.
ton of his countrynen. They owed a
sacred dutv which thew could NOT fail to
perform. They have reared his monu-
ment to a majestic height but if il
lowered above the eagles flight 1t wolli
s.oti.sss Cbst".rtAr of ii. rhs,c,,,.t To-, 10