e, so the singular contrasts, the strange vicissitudes in his
marvellous career, surround him with an interest which attaches to few
characters in history. His rise from an obscure lieutenancy to the
command of the veteran armies of the republic; his transition from a
frontier post of the untrodden West to the Executive Mansion of the
nation; his sitting at one time in his little store in Galena, not even
known to the Congressman from his own district; at another time striding
through the palaces of the Old World, with the descendants of a line of
Kings rising and standing uncovered in his presence [Applause.]--these
are some of the features of his extraordinary career which appeal to the
imagination, excite men's wonder, and fascinate all who read the story
of his life. [Applause.]

General Grant possessed in a striking degree all the characteristics of
the successful soldier. His methods were all stamped with tenacity of
purpose, with originality and ingenuity. He depended for his success
more upon the powers of invention than of adaptation, and the fact that
he has been compared, at different times, to nearly every great
commander in history is perhaps the best proof that he was like none of
them. He was possessed of a moral and physical courage which was equal
to every emergency in which he was placed: calm amidst excitement,
patient under trials, never unduly elated by victory or depressed by
defeat. While he possessed a sensitive nature and a singularly tender
heart, yet he never allowed his sentiments to interfere with the stern
duties of the soldier. He knew better than to attempt to hew rocks with
a razor. He realized that paper bullets cannot be fired in warfare. He
felt that the hardest blows bring the quickest results; that more men
die from disease in sickly camps than from shot and shell in battle.

His magnanimity to foes, his generosity to friends, will be talked of as
long as manly qualities are honored. [Applause.]

You know after Vicksburg had succumbed to him he said in his order: "The
garrison will march out to-morrow. Instruct your commands to be quiet
and orderly as the prisoners pass by, and make no offensive remarks."
After Lee's surrender at Appomattox, when our batteries began to fire
triumphal salutes, he at once suppressed them, saying, in his order:
"The war is over; the rebels are again our countrymen; the best way to
celebrate the victory will be to abstain from all demonstrations in the