Year: 1872

achievements seem to be as distasteful to
the unrepentant rebels and their allies as
the sight of water to the victims of hy-
drophobia. Those who did their utmost
to destroy the American nation, and who
only yield obedience to superior force to-
day, are of course enraged at the men,
tion of the capture of Vicksburg and
Richmond, and the surrender of Lee !;
while their civilian allies contend that an
enumeration Of Grants military achieve
ments is taking an unfair advantage The
former class insist that Grant never was a
superior general, while the latter reluc-
tantly concede his military success, but
protest that it has no bearing upon Pres
idential campaign. We are not disposed
to concede this allegation. Grants mill
tary achievements are part of his history
and character, and if the opposition have
no man of equal renown to pit against
him, it is their misfortune and not our
fault.


Had the rebellion succeeded a continent
would have been split into fragments, and
the only great Republic-the light and
hope of the peoples of the world-would
have gone down in anarchy and confu-
sion. Under Providence we are indebted
for national existence itself to General
Grant and to the legion of brave men liv
anu OCdO, WIN CIthOl odSIlhCCu VI
offered to sacrifice their lives, which is
the highest measure of devotion which
men can bring to the support of great
cause.


Grants military career has not only re-
flected glory and renown upon our ma
tion, but can well be interposed against
the accusations of want of patriotism
or general ability. The history of all ma
tions has proved beyond successful con-
tradiction that military success in long
struggle, with a million of men in the
field, can only be achieved by men of a
high order of intellect. An ignorant
man may stumble upon success but the
strategy necessary to the capture of Vicks-
burg, Richmond, and Lees army, togeth-
er with the planning of the Sherman cam
paign, tested the mental capacity and re-
sources of the COmmander-inC Chief of
our armies in an unmistakable manner.
Justice to him and to our national char
acter demands that the glorious memo
ries of the mutual sufferings and triumphs
of the "Boys in Blue" shall be revived,
and the roll-call of the guard of honor
shall not be neglected.


The Presidents modesty, which often
has induced him to go to the utmost verge
of deserting Presidential dignity, to avoid
the appearance of arrogance or self-asser-
tion, and his gift of silence in a nation of
takers, have given his personal and po-
| lltical enemies chance to pursue two
lines of argument, which they urge alter
nately in perfect Inconsistencies of their
| self-contradiction. At one time he is rep
resented as Sphynx-a scheming plotter
in conjunction with an imaginary military
ring for the destruction of a nations lib
erty; dangerous vampire, who will
transmute the Republic into an empire
with Ulysses /. as Emperor; while the
next day, perhaps, he is held up as an ig-
norant tool of designing men, only fit to
talk horse and smoke cigars.


The truth is, he is a careful, judicious,
painstaking man, exceedingly anxious to
discharge his duties faithfully, and to ex-
ecute the legally expressed will of the ma
ton. 1t is true he assumed the Presiden-
tial duties with reluctance and diffidence;
but from the day of his Inauguration he
has not merely sought to learn, but has
succeeded in finding the wisest and safest
course of progressive craftsmanship.


EDUCATION.


In his messages to Congress the Presi
dent alludes to the subject of education
on every suitable occasion, and 1t should
l be observed that the measure, known as
| Hoar's bill, was first recommended by
him in the sentence, Educational inter.
ests may we'll be served by the grant OF
the proceeds of the sale of public lands
to settlers:


The subject Of education and agriculture are oi
great interest TO the success Of our republican in
| stltutions happiness and grandeur as nation.
| The time-honOred and beneficial policy OF set
ting apart certain sections of public land for edu
catlonal purposes in the new States should be con
| tinued.


Educational interest may well be served by the
grant of the proceeds of the sale of public lands tC
settlers. / do not wish to be understood as recon-
mending, in the least degree, a curtailment o.
what is being done by the General Government fol
| the encouragement of education.


| The enlarged receipts of the Post Office Depart
ment are an index of the growth of education an6
of the prosperity of the people, two elements high
ly conducive to the vigor and stability of Re
publics.


Education, the groundwork of republican insti
tutions is encouraged by increasing the facilities
| to gather speedy news from all parts of the coun
try. The desire to reap the benefit of such i'm
| provements will stimulate education.
THE woRKINGMAN.
The workingman is not forgotten In
every message there is kindly word and
the utterance of striking truth. "Per
sons before things" is the keynote of his
craftsmanship when he states: "The
true prosperity and greatness of nation
is to be found in the elevation and educa
ton of it's laborers," sentence worthy
of being placed on our campaign banners
| By the late war the industry of one-half of the
| country had been taken from the control of the
capitalists and placed where all labor rightfully
| belongs-in the keeping of the laborer.
| The freedmen, under the protection which they
have received, are making rapid progress in learn
| ing, and no complaints are heard of lack of in
dustry on their part where they receive fa
remuneration for their labor.


| The opinion that the public lands should be re
garded chiefly as source of revenue is no longe
maintained. The rapid settlement and successful
cultivation of them are now Justly considered O
more importance TO we'll being than is the fun,
which the sale of them would produce. Th
| remarkable growth and prosperity of our new
States and Territories attest the wisdom of tn
legislation which invites the tirer of the soil t.
| secure permanent home on terms within tn
reach of all. The pioneer who incurs the danger
and privations Of frontier life. and thus aids il
| laying the foundation of new commonwealth
renders signal service to his country, and is en-
titled to its special favor and protection. Thes
laws secure that object and largely promote tn
general welfare. They should, therefore, b
cherished as permanent feature Of our Ian
system.


renew my Recommendation that the publ
lands be regarded as a heritage to our children,
be disposed Of only as required for occupation an
to actual settlers.


The true prosperity and greatness of nation
to be found in the elevation and education of il
laborers.


AGRICULTURE.


In every message our agricultural in
terests are favorably mentioned. We e2
extract the following sentences, whic
are sufficient to indicate his sentiments O.


this important subject:


Irecommend to your favorable consideration tn
claims of the Agricultural Bureau for liberal appr
priatiOns. In country so diversified in climat
and soil as ours, and with population largeI
dependent upon agriculture, the benefits that ca


be conferred by properly fostering this bureau al


incalcGlable.


The report of the Commissioner of Agricultul


gives the operations of his Department for the yea
As agriculture is the ground work of our prospe
iy, too much importance cannot he attached to Il
!, labors of this Department. Quietly, but surel


the Agricultural Bureau is working great nation
good. and if literally supported the more wide
its influence will be extended, and the less depe
J dent we shall be upon the products of foreis


countries.


. COMMERCE.


The revival of our foreign commerce
i ard the increase of facilities in domest
i transportation, has commanded the Pre-


ldents earnest attention, and he has bee
: ready to adopt all proper measures to fo
Y ward these important interests:
U The loss of our commerce is the only result
\ the late rebellion which has not received suficie
u attention from you. To this subject l call yo
o earnest attention. The whole nation ia interest
in securing cheap transportation from the agricI
- tural States OF the West to the Atlantic seaboar