The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-05-04


Mason and Dixon's line remains only
a historical record. where an ambiguity
IN the federal constitution was wiped
out, and the, nation resumed the on
ward march on its destined way.
Seemingly, it was long time in
which to re-establsh a concord so
manifestly essential to the nations
greater achievement, but the under
standing of the magnificent Lee was
not universal throughout the south, the
nagnanimity of Grant was not mani
fest throughout the north Wounds
had to be healed, and partisan politics
temporarily profted more in irritation
than in healing. But the war with
Spain eonsecrated north and south to
a common cause, and the sacrifice and
nationwide service in the world war
revealed the common American soul.
Grant, the great nationalist, who ap-
praised union and nationality above
all the frightful cost and suffering
would rejoice to acclaim the republic
of today
Union Made Us One.
II do not mean to say that every
where in our land we are all in com
plete accord about fundamentals of
government, or the basic principles
upon which society is founded. But
the sectionalism of Grants and Lees
time has been effaced, and the geo
graphical divisions which hindered the
formation of the union and later
threatened its disruption, have given
way to the far less menacing divisions
which have challenged all civilization,
and which make the ferment out of
which all progress comes. We are to-
day incontestably one people, with a
common purpose, universal pride, ma
ton wide confidence, and one flag.
/ The contentious which beset US are
not ours alone, they are the irritantt
to civilization throughout the world.
They are not to be ignored, but they
have never halted the human process
sion and will not hinder the progress
of this firmly founded republic.
Grant was himself the supreme ex-
! ample of A m erica n opportunity.
Standing before his humble birthplace,
amid the surroundings of his obscure
boyhood life, one doubts if three
quarters of century ago any one
should have sought here for the mill
! tary chieftain of century We have
not few, even today, who think small
town wisdom to be pitifully circum-
scribed. And yet this little Clermont
county furnished in Ulysses s. Grant
and Henry C. Corbin, two of the thir-
teen lieutenant generals who have been
commissioned in all our history.
Grew Rugged in Democracy.
"Grant had even less of likelihood
to eminence than his unpromising and
unprophetic beginning. There was
the suggestion of mediocrity in his de-
velopment, and even the steadfastness
of his early manhood was stamped with
failure. But there was the inheritance
of quality, and he dwelt and grew rug
ged in the freedom of democracy.
Even the, reckoning opportunity of
war left him seemingly unfavored by
ffate. Politically he was out Of accord
with the master martyr who became
his commander-in-chief. But he be-
lieved in union and the nation supreme.
| He brought to the, armed service pre-
paredness to command, sturdiness of
purpose, patience and forbearance,
great generosity Of soul, and conf
dence never to be shaken. The seizure
Of opportunity, more to serve than to
achieve made him victor, and the quiet
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marched to the surprising heights of
military glory. All conquering in COM
mand and magnanimous in his triumph
the world saw the soldier and the man
the soldier adorned and the man be-
! loved.
"Other military leaders hitherto had
mounted to lofty heights in the annals
of human history. It is useless to
compare, but it is BETTING to. recall
| that General Grant was not making
conquest of territory or expanding en-
pire. He was only seeking to preserve.
He did not fight to enslave; he only
battled to sustain Lincoln, whom God
| inspired to bestow freedom. He did
not seek to punish or destroy; he was
| fighting to save and reunite. In his
heart were no drastic terms of surren-
der; he craved the blessings of peace
restored.
Set Face Toward Union.
"Many an incident of the war, many
revelation of his sturdy character
showed that his face was set on the
one supreme achievement--union and
the preserved ark of the American
covenant of liberty. No hurting heart,
no rivalry, no triumph of other com
manders, no promotion of the aspiring
or deserving, could remove his gaze
from the great end sought. He wrote
Sherman, in Grant-like simplicity and
sincerity, that he would serve under
him as willingly as over him, to at
tain preserved union. Out of such
conservation, out Of such unchanging
devotion, came his signal victory. He
fought for preserved union and re-
stored nation, and succeeding genera
tions are richer because of his exam
pie. One may guarantee the security
of this republic so long as leaders
among men put the country's good
above personal and political advantage.
ut is not to be said of Grant that
he sought to preserve political or
social order, or even a government,
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