The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-04-28
28 INJURED IN MISFEAP ON
GRANT TRIP WITH HARDING


manifest throughout the North
Wounds had 10 be healed. and parti-
san politics temporarily prohted more
in irritation than in healing. But the
war with Spain consecratcd 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 appraised union and
nationaaty above all the frightful cost
and suffering. would rejoice TO ac-
claim the republic of to-day.
l do not mean to say that every
where in our land we are all in COM
plcte accord about fundamentals of
Government or the basic principles
upon which society is founded. But
the scctlonaiism 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 10 the far less menacing di-
visions which have challenged all
civilization and which make the fer
ment out OF which all progress comes.
We are to-day incontestably ono
people, with a common purpose, uni
veIsal pride. nationwide confidence and
one flag. The contentious which be-
set us are not ours alone. they are
thesirrltants TO civilization throughout
the world They are not to be ignored.
but they have never halted the human
procession, and will not hinder the
progress of this firmly founded re-
public
Grant was himself the supreme ex-
ample of American opportunity
Standing before his humble birthplace,
amid the surroundings OF his obscure
boyhood life, one doubts IL three--
quarters OF a century ago any one
should have sought here for the Mill
tary chieftain OF century. We have
not few, even to-day. who think
small town vision to be pitifully cir
subscribed. And yet this little
Clermont county furnished in Ulysses
S. Grant and Henry C. Corbin two of
the thirteen ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS who
have been commissioned in all our
history.
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 steadfast-
ness OF his early manhood was stamped
with failure. But there was the in
herltance of quality. and he dwelt and
grew rugged in the freedom OF
democracy.
Even the beckoning opportunity OF
war left him seemingly unfavored by
fate. Politically ne was out of accord
with the master martyr who became
his ommander-in-chief. But he be-
lieved in Union and the Nation SUI
preme He brought to the armed SER
vice preparedness to command.
sturdiness OF purpose. patience and
forbearance. great generosity of soul
and a confidence never to be shaken.
The seizure of opportunity, more to
serve than to achieve. made him VIC
tor. and tine quiet man. garbed in fail
ure at Galena, marched to the SUI
passing heights of military glory. All
conquering in command and mag
unanimous in his triumph, the world
saw the soldier and the man, the SOL
der adored and the mak beloved.
other military leaders hitherto had
mounted to lofty heights in the annals
OF human history. It is useless TO
compare but 1t is befitting TO recall
that Gen. Grant We not making con-
quest of territory or expanding en-
pire. lie was only seeking to pre-
serve. He d d not fight to enslaye;
he only battled TO sustain Lincoln.
whom God inspired to bestow free
dom. He did not seek to punish or
destroy; he was fighting to save and
reunite In his heart were no drastic
terms of surrender; he craved the
blessings of peace restored.
The other day l received letter
from. an old gentleman now living at
Annapolis. Md. Mr.. James w. Owens,
who at the age of So Is still prac-
ticing law in Marvland's capital city.
File related an incident in his own
career that was SO characteristic OF
Gen. Grant that Ii was worth repeat
ing He told me that he was a soldier
in Gen. Lees army, surrendered at
Appomattox and returned to his home
in Maryland. There he was con-
fronted with an order Of the Union
general commanding the Department
of Maryland. which required that all
paroled Confederatcs should take the
oath Of allegiance. Mr.. Owens in
his letter TO me explained:
AS Dick Taylor and Kirby Smith
were Sun fighting l declined and
was put in prison and released on
condition that would leave the State.
| went with an exied comrade TO see
Gen. Grant We left note. explain
ing our Punishment, and he imme-
diately issued an order saying that in
accepting the surrender Of Gen. Lee
he had made IL condition that the
paroled men should return to their
homes and there remain as long as
! they observed the conditions imposed.
Not designating a loyal or disloyal
State. Cen. Grant directed that the
general IN conn and in Maryland
should rescind hts order. | accord
ingly returned here and here | am yet
at the age of 81. We veterans of the
Confederacy have only n feeling OF
good will for his memory
I wonder sometimes If the magma
nimity OF Grant. the logged. persist
ent. unalterabe Grant in warfare
the Unconditional Surrender Grant
would not be helpful I'm the world to-
day. The great world struggle. which
we might reasonably designate the
civil war OF western civilization and
IN which we so creditablv and help
fully participated, left peoples and
nations PROSTATE. hardly knowing
which way TO turn for restoration. /
can not he'D believe that some
thing of the shirt with which Grant