The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1897-12-09
HE couldn't get them"

''io >"h Set solulefS when he
needs them. That's part of the busi-
ness-having your men there"
What do the books say?"
"What books?"
why the histories. They say it was
great the way Lee stood off Grant, IF
he'd had any army to back him up, he'd
have shown 'em."
But he was finally licked, wasn't
hep"
You couldn't say he was licked. He
had to yield to superior numbers"
well, what's the difference? Didn't
he quit?"
"les, he finally surrendered"
"Ihat's right-he surrendered. What
more do you want?"
What argument is there in that kind
of talk? You make me tired"
Let me understand your side of this
case. Grant and Lee came together at
Richmond. That's right, isn't t?'
"1es, l s'pose you could say they
came together"
Grant tired to capture Richmond
and Lee tried to stand him off"
| Yes, but
Isn't that practically richt?"
1T don't tell exactly how it was, but
I'll let it go, even at that"
Grant captured Richmond and made
Lee surrender, and that's why Lee was
better than Grant"
No! That amt what say. Be fair.
be fair! If you're goin' to argue give
me fair show"
Then you don't claim that Lee was
better because he got licked?"
You know | haven't said that.
What's the use?''
But you do say that Grant wasn't Sc
good because he won out?''
What I say-No. l don't say that at
all. Here! Now this is an Illustration,
Would you expect George Dixon to lick
Sharkey? Would you? Just answer
me that"
What were they, confederates or
union men?"
you know who they are. George
Dixon fights at 120, and Sharkey fights,
Tebbe, at 40. Do you think it would
be right to put Dixon against Sharkey?'
Il don't think it would be right for
them to fight at all. At least, it wouldn't
be very nice of them.'
We'll, amt goin' to talk to you un.
| less you want to be serious"
"Of course, I'm serious. Go ahead
with your story"
Il say, s'pose Dixon would fight with
Sharkey. Wouldn't you expect Sharkey
to VIM"
"Sure."
''Well-there!"
And that would show that Dixon is
entitled to the money, wouldn't it"
II didn't say so, didI"
What are you trying to get at, any
way? You don't mean to compare Gen
Lee to prize fighter, do you?'
NO; but it's similar case. You can't
expect a small man to lick great, big
man, can you? Answer me that"
Il know you're going to catch me, but
I'll answer it. No, you cant expect a
small man to lick big one"
"And you can't expect a small army
to lick a big army, can you?"
Here! You want to trap me. can
see that"
well, you answer my question"
| albright. Probably that's true. You
cant expect a small army to defeat
large one"
Then what's the use of talkingY'
None at all. Lees army was licked
wasn't ito"
What did you admit just now?"
Never you mind what admitted just
now. It's my turn to ask questions OF
you. Lees army was licked, wasn't 2"
ut was small and had to give in
That's what YOU really think?"
| Yes, sir, that's what l think"
That's what think, too. Ican't see
that there's any room for an argument,
You admit that Grant had all the best
of it,
No, 1 don't, either. Not by darned
sight"
mo, he didn't admit that in so many
Words" said the dentist. What he
means is that Lee showed great general.
ship in standing off the enemy as long
as he did"
That's what I've been saying" re-
marked the freckled boy. why, I'll
leave it to Doc Horne, here, if amt
right. Don't you think Lee was the
greatest general of the two?'
REALLY, gentlemen, don't care to ex
press preference" said Doe" with a
bland smile Each was a military
genius in his way, and each has written
| his name on neutrality-suspicious. tab
let's of fame. ! met both Of them-Gen.
Lee before the war and Gen. Grant
during the campaign of 1868. Although
both of them had the reputation of hay
| ing cold and distant temperaments, l
must say that they showed me very
cordial treatment. Therefore, | admire
| them, not only as soldiers, but as Amer.
| lean gentlemen, and now that they have
gone to their long rest and their efforts
| in behalf of the causes which they
espoused have passed into history, ]
| hardly feel that it would be proper tc
enter into any dispute as to their rela
| tive merits"