is father to take him out of the poorhouse, even if
he had to subsist like the Hottentots. He told him that he would sell
his books and pawn his handkerchief, by which he thought he could raise
about twelve shillings. He said he could live upon blackberries, nuts,
and field turnips, and was willing to sleep on a hayrick. Here was
real grit. What were impossibilities to such a resolute, indomitable
will?

Grit is a permanent, solid quality, which enters into the very
structure, the very tissues of the constitution.

Many of our generals in the Civil War exhibited heroism; they were
"plucky," and often displayed great determination, but Grant had pure
"grit" in the most concentrated form. He could not be moved from his
base; he was self-centered, immovable. "If you try to wheedle out of
him his plans for a campaign, he stolidly smokes; if you call him an
imbecile and a blunderer, he blandly lights another cigar; if you
praise him as the greatest general living, he placidly returns the puff
from his regalia; and if you tell him he should run for the presidency,
it does not disturb the equanimity with which he inhales and exhales
the unsubstantial vapor which typifies the politician's promises.
While you are wondering what kind of creature this man without a tongue
is, you are suddenly electrified with the news of some splendid
victory; proving that behind the cigar, and behind the face discharged
of all telltale expression, is the best brain to plan and the strongest
heart to dare among the generals of the Republic."

Lincoln had pure "grit." When the illustrated papers everywhere were
caricaturing him, when no epithet seemed too harsh to heap upon him,
when his methods were criticized by his own party, and the generals in
the war were denouncing his "foolish" confidence in Grant, and
delegations were waiting upon him to ask for that general's removal,
the great President sat with crossed legs, and was reminded of a story.

Lincoln and Grant both had that rare nerve which cares not for
ridicule, is not swerved by public clamor, can bear abuse and hatred.
There is a mighty force in truth, and in the sublime conviction and
supreme self-confidence behind it; in the knowledge that truth is
mighty, and the conviction and confidence that it will prevail.

Pure grit is that element of character which enables a man to clutch
his aim with an iron grip, and keep the needle of his purpose pointing
to the star of his hope.