The Xenia sentinel. [volume] (Xenia [Ohio]) 1863-186?, 1865-06-16
Gen. Grant at Chicago.

! Lieutenant General Grant arrived u
this city to-day. The train containing
him reached the southern depot at precise
ly 1920. A salute of thirteen guns an.
nouuced his arrival. Committees from
the Common Council, citizens and Board
of Trade received him as he aligbted from
the cars, and be was escorted through sew.
eral streets to the Great Fair building
All along the line Of his route he was
greeted with the liveliest and most heart
felt applause. A more inspiring scene
was never witnessed in Chicago. His old
war horse Jack" now the property Of
the Sanitary Commission, was in waiting
for him at the depot, and he mounted him
with alaerity. He manifested much pleas.
ure at again seeing his old faVOrite.- sOn
reaching Union Hall he was escorted to
the pla8orm, when such a storm of ap-
plause broke forth as was never heard be-
fore in that place. The hall was densely
packed with people.
After the applause had ceased, Gen.
Hooker said "Ladies and gentlemen,
allow me to present to you our welcome
guest, Lieut.. Gen. Grant. He is the Off
Ger whose achievements you have heard,
read and admired so much for the last
four years, and whose career has reflected
imperishabIe honor and glory on you and
on our land. Enthusiastic applause.
1 have been requested by the authorities
Of this city, by the representatives of its
10 ID ,,l oo,, r,o.oo onJ bv tba rro;ooh,-s
and contributors of this great Fair which
you are here to honor and aid by your
presence-the work of the noble women of
the Norlhwest-to welcome Lieut. Gen.
Grant to Chicago. Long continued ap>
plause. As it regards the Lieut.. Gener-
al, and as it regards yourselves, no more
pleasing task and no duty more grateful
could be devolved upon me. Pre'eminent-
lypatriotio and pre-eminently apprcciative,
this people have watched with intense in
terest every step you have taken, from the
beginning of the rebellion to its conelu-
sion; and they have followed you through
all your campaigns with the prOudest sat-
isfactiOn. They have sympathized with
you in all your labOrs, your perils and
your privations, and they have gloried in
your unriValed victories and successes.
TCheers.] ] No people have greater cause
to be proud of a representative in the field
than we have had cause to beprOud Of you.
No man lives who has been more success
full in his campaigns, or who has served
his Government with more fidelity, or who
has been more cons ant and more true to
the great principles of humanity and hui
man progress involved in the rebellion,
than the great cbieftain who is now before
US. 1t is for these reasons we tender to
you our sincere and heartfelt gratitude for
yoar welfare aud safety, and that we ex-
tend to you the warmest welcome of this
city and this people. feel that the most
acceptable introduction 1 can make to tue
citizens of the great Northwest is to trans
fer you to the care of the vast assemblage
gathered here to greet and honor you.
With this leave you with them"
Gen. Hooker then led Gen. Grant to the
front of the stage amid perfect Whirl-
wind of applause. Every throat in that
vast assemblage was made vocal to the
highest uota. Hats few in the air, hand
kerchiefs waved, hands were vigorously
clapped, and, in fact, the whole crowd
seemed moved by the inspiration of de-
light This lasted several minutes. At
length the applause subsided
General Grant then responded tia
dies and gentlemen-I never made a
speech myself, and, therefore, I WILL ask
Governor Yates to return to you the
thanks which 1 should fill to express did
l attempt it"
Cheers and laughter greeted this unez-
pectedly short speech of the Lieutenant
General.
Ex-Governor Yates then came forward
and spoke 10 happy manner for about
ten minutes, commenting General Grant
and his services in the highest terms.
At the conclusion of Governor Yates
remarks, an incident occurred that will
certainly pass into history: Upon the bal
cony in full sight of thousands, stood the
two heroes of the age-Generais Grant
and Sherman. Calls were made for
speech from the latter. In response, Gen
eral Sherman replied, that be could notbe
induced to comply with the request; that
he would always cheerfully back up and
obey his beloved Commander-in>Chief, and
he was sure General Grant would not or
der him to make speech. Cries of Cor
der him to make speech, General, broke
from the building. General Grant quiet
ly, and with that self possession that so
emineutly marks him, replied with smile:
81 never order a soldier to do anything
which 1 cannot do myself" The effect was
electrical. The building trembltd with
the applause that this admirable passage
invoked.