Year: 1869

remembered, however, that General Blair de-
livered this opinion on the stump as the demo-
cratic candidate for Vice President that he was
hard pushed and had desperate battle to


fight against heavy odds, and that accordingly
he may be excused little fancy sketching for
buncombe.


But his testimony, under the circumstances,
In behalf Of General Grant as an able and
meritorious soldier, and as man of remark
able decision of character, is good. We may
rely upon it, coming from political adver-
sary, and in the heat Of fiery canvass, and
from the close personal observations Of SOL
dier and lawyer withal Of keen perceptions,
touching the peculiar qualities Of different
men. We all know that one Of the peculiar
qualities of General Grant in the field,
and most admirable one, too, was in
his reports of battles, sieges and campaigns
to give the highest praise to his subordinate
officers and soldiers and to say nothing Of
himself, or as little as possible. He was not
jealous of the laurels of Sherman, Thomas,
Sheridan and other meritorious officers, but
proud of them and proud to stand by them
when under cloud. Quietly permitting the
inception of this and that campaign to be given
to any other general, time has discovered the
truth that the campaigns of Vicksburg, Chatta-
nooga, ''the great march to the sea" and the
crushing campaign from the Wilderness were
the inceptions of General Grant. The honest
and chivalrous Lincoln wrote to him after the
capture Of vicksburg substantially, s'When
you disclosed TO me vow gpal plan thought
it a mistake. have now to say that you were
right and was wrong" Hence the unques-
tioning confidence Of Lincoln in all the subse-
quent operations of Grant. Lincoln was a
practical man, and demonstrate" with him
was the greatest word in the language. Grant
had demonstrated his capacities, and that was
enough for Lincoln.


Grants decision Of character, however, was
the essential element of his victories. When
he had work to do he promptly resolved upon
his plan and went at it hammer and tongs.
Like Pelissier at Sebastopol, if he could not
get in at the front door he would get in at the
window, having resolved to get in. He knew
no such word as fail. He held his councils of
war, he heard the opinions of his generals, and
then quietly gave them their instructions, and
it was always his plan and always fight.
Hooker was fanked in the Wilderness and
backed out, Grant was Hanked in the Wilder
ness; but as two could play at that game he
went on and fought it out on that line. 1t is
sr,r = L. <I~rt o1 -, kHpy
can be blunderer like Johnson or galvanized
politician like Buchanan. The two houses of
Congress will be more apt to find in General
Grant the shrewdness of the amiable Lincoln
and the resolution of Jackson, with some
thing, too, Of the simple and economical repub-
lican notions Of Jefferson, graphing at once
with such atrocities as these whiskey ring
spoliations of a hundred millions year and
these lobby railroad jobs, covering margin of
over thousand millions of money.


Now, this Tenure Of Office law and the
various other laws tying up the Presidents
hands are but relics of the last four years
squabblings between Congress and Johnson.
That fight is ended, and the party in power,
having accepted and elected General Grant
upon his record as their man for Johnson's
place, are in honor bound to relieve him of
these unseemly cords and straps with which
they have tied up Johnson. Or If the Presi-
Dental Office as 1t was under Lincoln Is not to
be restored, If Congress is henceforth to be
also substantially the President, let 1t so be
understood, and without further beating about
the bush and as simple matter of plain deal
ing with General Grant. Otherwise he will |
60 into the Presidency like man blindfolded,
and unable to distinguish the White House
from the War OFce. Lastly, If the two houses
desire q Misunderstanding with the President
elect from the beginning they have only to
inaugurate him under their tenure of Office
restrictions, which will be equivalent to a vote
Of want Of confidence. II win, however, be
a dangerous thing to play fast and loose or
hide and seek with Q straightforward soldier
Of the will and tenacity Of purpose possessed
by General Grant.


Dxv Ten