The New York herald., 1872-04-24
TIE BOYS IN BLUE.

The Meeting on Friday Night-Letter and
Donation from General Grant-A Good
Word from G. w. Curtis.
The meeting on Friday night OF the soldiers Of the3
war win doubtless be one of the largest gatherings
Of the Boys in Blue and their friends. Already thd
kindest wishes have been expressed from all parts
of the country, and there no fears of the sucl
cess of the demonstration.
The following letters have been received fr0y~
General Grant and G. w. Curtis:-
EXECUTIVE MANSION, !
WASHINGTON, d. c., April 22 1S72.
DEAR SIR-Iregret that 1t will be impossible for
me to accept your invitation to be present at the
grand soldiers meeting at Cooper Institute on the
26th inst The object to raise funds for the erection
Of monument to that great and patriotic soldier,
sand Union dead who sleep in Cypress Hill Ceme1
terry" Is that commends itself to every lover Of
meeting, please receive the enclosed check as a
very slight expression Of my appreciation Of it's
objects. Very truly your obedient servant
ED. A. PERRY, Secretary, &C.
WASHINGTON, d. c., April 10, 1872.
EDWIN A. PERRY Esq, Secretary -
DEAR STR would most gladly accept your invi-
taton II it possible, but cannot escape press
ing engagements here. rejoice at your meetngs
and write on the anniversary OF earlier battleG
than those in which you and your comrades fought7
| the anniversary Of Lexington and ConcordL rel
ary soldiers won the Union soldiers have
| secured to us, with Gods blessing, forever, anal
/ amid the ample prosperity WHICH RlauQcnS Lno
| country, the peace and order and swift growth OF
every variety of industry; in the presence Of the
bright promise OF the future how gladly should we,
recall the glorious past, neal and far and own our,
! grateful remembrance OF the brave men who def
| for us With eloquence and song and flowers, with
statues and memorials OF every kind, let US keep
fresh the thought of those days when the
sentiment OF duty rose so high in Americans
hearts andthe national life became heroic
Already the days Of the late seem almost re-
mote Already there Is q half feeling that 1t is q
duty to forget them lest differences be not healed.
But more than ever do we now need the thought
OF those days to enable us to finish in, their own
spirit the work which our brothers in the field be-
gun. Therefore, whatever reminds and those
who shall follow OF the simple and solderly|
graces OF a character like that OF General
Thomas--the unninching devotion, the manly
modesty, the purity OF patriotism, the rectitudot
and winning sweetness that hallow his memory, isi
q national benefit. The statue OF such q citizen Isl
do we forget that the soldiers of the Union wer4
worthy Of their leaders. Near this city there is moi
spot more pathetically impressive than the grounds
at Arlington where the dead soldiers are burfed,i
In death as in life their ranks are closed, and as
you pass through those silent, invisible hosts andl
at last the beautiful dome across the Potomaci
you feel that II the nation weOse stately Capitol t
crowns Is great, united, free people, II Is becauso
of those soldiers whose ashes scattered through tho
land, make every spot sacred In which they lie.
They who died are the army OF American liberty
militant Happy for the country II we do our duty
as they did thcrsl
hope sincerely that the success OF your meeting
may be earnest that its good purpose Will
certainly be accomplished. Very truly yours,
GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS.