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Editorial
June 7, 1872
The Daily State Journal
Richmond, Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
Editorial interprets Charles Sumner's critical speech on Ulysses S. Grant as backhanded praise, likening Sumner to the railing Thersites from Greek mythology, thereby defending Grant and belittling Sumner.
Clipping
OCR Quality
85%
Good
Full Text
The Dispatch means to be facetious when it speaks of Sumner's speech as "an eulogium upon Grant." But there is more truth than wit in thus characterizing the intensely bitter tirade. The highest praise is sometimes that which comes in the shape of abuse from distempered minds. An excessive gratification of pique gives exaltation to the person upon whom it is expended, just in proportion as it belittles the character of the party gratifying it. Thersites never appeared more contemptible than when he heaped his railings upon the head of Ulysses. Sumner's great erudition in Greek scurrility, should have suggested the fate of his only prototype.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Sumner Speech
Grant Defense
Political Tirade
Thersites Comparison
Ulysses Grant
What entities or persons were involved?
Sumner
Grant
The Dispatch
Thersites
Ulysses
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Defense Of Grant Against Sumner's Criticism
Stance / Tone
Supportive Of Grant, Mocking Sumner
Key Figures
Sumner
Grant
The Dispatch
Thersites
Ulysses
Key Arguments
Sumner's Speech Is A Bitter Tirade That Unwittingly Praises Grant
Abuse From Distempered Minds Serves As Highest Praise
Sumner's Attack Belittles His Own Character While Exalting Grant
Comparison To Thersites Railing Against Ulysses Highlights Sumner's Contemptibility