The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-05-20

was faithful undertaken to the dis
placed. The mine, whose appearance
i'll the seraglio is the signal of panic
and death, was not more impsssive,
more mournful
What is so relentless as 10 survive
them over whom We have triumphed,
and to remember their funerals with
decenc,!
The study of eminenCe III Gran, is
like taking up the old theological
faiths. He dispensed with all the ap-
rearances of pride, but insisted upon
every reality ofsuccess; a revived grade,
revived pay, the presidency. He re-
builded his capital. He expressed the
view and acte" upon it, tina, in ex-
changing his life position of general for
the maglstracy, he was entitled more
than the two terms he had already re-
Ccived.
His Course through the nations. the
array OF rich presents, the return, and
attempted renom nation seemed to re-
peat Oh civil field his military flank
ings, stand off great battles, and con-
tinental strategy.
His active work tor Garfield, who
beat him, recalls General Washington
last campaign to beat Jefferson and
carry Virginia for the Federalis,s.
Grant was unquestionably in 1880
the foremost politician in the United
States. His appearance as Mentor re-
calls the saying of Chateaubriand that
the old surtout of Bonaparte stuck up
at Brologne would make all Europe
run to arms.
Many of Grants acts tested former
friendships, as when, having habilta-
ted Logan in Illinois politics, he es-
poused the cause of Filz John Porter,
to whom Logan was hostile to the
pitch OF self-esteem.
In fact, Grant in peace was like
other kings retired from business, the
subject of one of Dr. Doran's curious
books, and he espoused many things
not to his craft, among Others his sons
banking falderol with the Claude Mel
notte of misslonary's sons.
Two scenes rise to the height of dra-
matte subllmity in Grants domestic
career; his inconsistencies that at his
elbow sat secretary around whom
his police and attorneys were winding
indictments, and at the head of them
his beloved Bristow was possessed of
the secret of Grants honor and would
not speak.
In that emergency the old practiced
pollllcicn, Edward PierreDont, a seed
ling Of Tammany Hall, acted the man,
while reformers, devoured with ambi-
ton, were ready to sacrifice the hero
who comprised all of them, and to add
to their feeble names the everlasting
shadow Of ingra,itude.
1t must needs be that our great hui
man opponents are betrayed in the
circle OF their twelve; the character of
Judas is composite and protean and he
has often the highest criterion of vir-
tue.
Yet there is an arch degree of hero
Ism where virtue itself is signed as by
the fire Of hell because it draws too
near in It's blasphemy of doubt. Grant
was pure essence compared TO them
who posed to be Phryne's judges and
hated the perfection the had strip
ped.
Take next that mighty picture, the
delight of artists, Beiisarlous blind and
led by child, Grant begging from
Vanderbilt led by Grants son "Buck"
and by Ferdinand Ward.
1t was the BAbcock case over
asain, the perfect honesty, perfect fat
ulty Of the unconsciously betrayed vet
eran.
He asked for that money for thieves
like child sent by its mother. The
large sum he demanded was also evil
dence of his moral courage. He trusted
like a mas,iff and questioned not his
deceiver
Finding the GRAND he went upon to
be pure guile, his soul shuddered and
he felt death wound in his heart Of
honor.
All nature and society seemed 10
arouse for his healing. Made poor, he
tried his last weapon, the pen, and
came off conquerer. He proved to be
the greatest Garner OF American au-
thOrs
Gr:nt despised not. TO him his
own people, parents and sons, were all
matChless. The monument we dedI-
cate has not the slightest ,aint Of the
snob, the cad, or the respector Of per-
sons. 1t is the monument of an unfair
nished natural fellow being. All his
errors are precious. Where he was
we kiss The wounds. Not war, but
charity, IS memorlallzed where he now
lies.
GEORGE ALFRED TOWNSEND