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[201] or pride. He was absolutely free from selfishness; unspotted in personal purity; incorruptible and poor, in the midst of unparalleled opportunities. He was cast in Titanic mould, and littlenesses had no place in his nature.

Such a man hated, and if he could, destroyed his enemies; but not from malice. Such a man might be unjust and tyrannical with his subordinates, but not from meanness, or intention. His injustice was an incident, not a purpose, nor an end. It arose either from carelessness of details and individuals, or from an overpowering determination to rule, and to show others that they must obey. If he sent officers into exile, if he was domineering in manner, harsh in decision, sometimes insulting to those who could not reply; if, above all, he sometimes forgot that he was dealing with those who risked their lives for the cause in which he was engaged—it was from no personal motive, but from the same passionate force that swept everything before it, small as well as great; the same force that enabled him to achieve his great results, to organize the military power of the nation, the tangible material of armies, which he then turned over to Grant. Force, force, force—was the expression and epitome of the man; not mere brute forte, but mental force, employing brute force; force in controlling the wills of others, force in mastering matter, force in breaking the neck of circumstances. Such a man behind Grant was invaluable. He forged the weapons which the other used; and in the old mythology, Vulcan was divine as well as Mars.

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