Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-10-16
IISCoLS.
Speech of Eulogy from President
Grant.


Unvefling of the Springfield Statue.
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,, Oct. 15.-The Army
OF the Tennessee assembled this morning
and selected Des Moines, Iowa, fer tine
next meeting which will be held Sept. 20
and 80, 1875. Gen. Thomas c. Fletcher.
of Maine, was elected orator. The society
then adjourned to participate in the cere-
monies of the unwilling OF the Lincoln
statue at Cakridge Cemetery. The pro-
teSSion began 10 form at IL A. NJ, Gov.
Beyeridge actingas Grand Marshal. Presi-
dent Grant with Secretary Belknap, Oecu-
pied a carriage at the head OF the pro-
session proceeded BIZ the Military band
ftom Newport barracks, and escorted By the
Gogernors guard, 4 military organization
of this city, as a guard of honor. Next
came Rev. DIR. Hale, an old friend of Pres
ident Lincoln, and Bishop Wsyman, col
ored, and in other carriages rode Vice
President Wilsonwith Seer, tsry F. Powell,
Curton, NJ. p. and w. j. Forster, NJ. p. of
England, Generals Mcdowell and Custar,
and Hon. }. X. Dubois, with MIS-. Grant
and Mrs Gov. Beyeridge. Gen. Sherman
marched on foot at the tead of the Society
of the Army of the Tennessee.
Next to the carriages containing Iuem-
bers ofthe lsincolm Monument Association,
came carriages in which were Robert I.
Lincoln, The only surviving son Of the de
ceased President, Mrs. NJ j.. Smith, sister
of Mrs. Lincoln, and other relations. Mrs.
Lincoln was unable to be present, as she is
quite i'll at her residence in Chicago.
The procession aTIsed at the cemetery
at / p. NJ. Not less than 5000 persons
were present. After the playing of dead
march by the hand, Bishop Wayman made
a feryent, eloquent prayer, and a choir of
singers chanted, "With Malice Toward
None, with Charity for All" Hon. Jesse
r. Dubois then read historical sketch of
the Lincoln Monument Association and
the result of its labors, concluding as fol-
lows: By the liberal contributions of a
grateful nation we have been enabled to
provide suitable place for the remains of
one of the wiSesi and pureSt men known
to our National history. There may they
rest in peace.
The Statue was unveiled, and Senator r.
G.. Oglssby delivered an elOqueIt OratiOn, at
tie close of which the immense aSsemblage
quietly dispersed. The Oration OF eX-GOv.
Oglesby was an eloquent tribute 30 the
memory of the dead President, giving a
sketch of his public life and service TO the
country, noting the most striking esents Of
his administration of the office Of PTesi-
dent of the nation.
AT the conclusion of the oration, the
choir sang, "Rest, Spirit, Rest and two
Sisters of Charity, seated on either side Of
of the statue, amid breathlesssilence,r raised
the red, white end blue drapeiy from the
marble form. President Edwards, Of the
Normal University, then read poem writ
ten for the occasion by Jas. JudSOn, and
Lords bard again played an appropriate
air, when loud calls being made for Presi
dent Grant, he stepped forward amid enthu-
Siastic applause aud spoke as follows:
Grants EuIOgy on Lincoln.
Nr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen:
On an occasion like the present it is duty
on my part TO bear testimony to the great
and good qualities of the patriotic man
whose earthly remains now rest beneath
this dedicated monument. 1t was not my
fortune to make tlApersOnal acquaintance
of Mr. Lincoln tilfthe beginning of the last
wear of the great struggle of national
existence During these years Of
doubling and dependency among the
patriot men Of the country, Abram Lincoln
neser for a moment doubted the final re-
suit of peace, union and freedom to every
race in this broad land. His faith in an
AIlwise Providence directing our arms to
this final result, was that of the Christian,
who be.ieged that his Redeemer
liveth. Amidst personal abuse and
hate undisguised, and which was
given vent 10 without restraint
through the press, upon the stump and in
private circles. he remained the same
stauncb, unyielding servant Of the people,
never exhibiting a TeveDgeful feeling
toward his tradUcers, and he rather pitied
and hoped, for their own sake and the good
name Of their pOsterity, that they might de-
sist. For a single moment it did not occur
to him that the man Lincoln was being as
sailed, but that a reasonable spirit-one
waiting to destroy the freeSt government
the sun ever shOne On-was giving vent 10
itself on him as the Chief Executive of the
nation. only because he was such. He
would have avoided all this SLAM
der. for his life was pure and
simple one, and he, no doubt, would have
been much happier man; but who can
tell what might have been the fate of the
nation but for the pure, Unselfish and wise
administration of Mr.. Lincoln. From
March, 1864, to the DAY when the hand Of
an assassin opened the grave for Mr.. Lin
CON. then President of the United States,
nv personal relations with him were as
close and intimate as the nature Of our TC-
spective duties permitted. To know him
personally was TO love and respect
him for his great qualities of
head. and for his patience and
patriotism. With all his disappointment
from failures on the part of those 10 whom
he had entrusted command, and ON the
part of those who had gained his confidence
but 10 betray, never heard him utter a
complaint, not the least censure for bad
conduct or bad faith. II was his nature TO
find excuses for his ad 1ersaries. In his
death the nation lost its greatest head. In
his death, the South lost its most jus;
friend.
Ex-Vice President Colfax was then loud
ly called for, and spoke in very eloquent
and feeling remarks.
Remarks were also made by Gen. Sher-
man and Vice President Wilson, alter
which the doxology was sung, benediction
pronounced and the vast assemblage quietly
dispersed.
THE TIRE.