The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-08-19
THE HONORED HERO.
The Illinois Grant Monument ASS0eia-
tiOn Issues a Memorial to the
People of the State.

The following memorial has been is
sued by the Illinois Grant Monument AS
sociation:
To THE PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS. The I'M
designed committee, representing the
Grant Monument association Of Illinois.
which was duly organized under the laws
of this state on the 23d day of July, A
D., 1885, for the purpose OF securing the
erection, at the state capital, of suita-
BILE monument to the memory of General
Grant beg leave to make the following
statement to the public:
In the Judgment of many good and
patriotic citizens, in which this assOcia-
ton most heartily concurs, there is pecu
liar propriety and appropriateness in the
erection in Springfield, by the people of
Illinois, of monument III memory of our
great soldier and statesman, worthy of his
wonderful career as II man and his great
service TO his country. While it is not The
good fortune of our commonwealth 10 be
come the resting place of his mortal re-
mains, yet our appreciation of his great
ness as man and of his worth to the
world is none the less on that account;
and we are proud Of The fact that when
Gen. Grant entered upon his grand career
in the late war he was citizen of Iii
nois lie received his first commission as
colonel of regiment from the governor
OF our state, and he went forth from this
city to become the greatest military
chieftain of modern times.
Springfield is indissolubly connected
with the names of Lincoln and Grant, The
two men upon whom the loyal people OF
the nation relied in the late great struggle
for national life. Agraeeful people nave
erected in this city monument to the
memory of Lincoln, worthy of his name
and fame. Is il not, then, fitting that the
people of Illinois should unite in building
here IA suitable monument in memory of
Grant, that the state may properly cons
memorate at the capital, its two grandest
citizens?
Senator Cullom the president Of the
association, has designated gentleman
in each county in the state to take charge
of the work of raising funds There
should be no difficulty or delay in obtain,
ing the necessary amount. 4 systematic
| plan should lie adopted in every county.
city, town and community, to give every
person an opportunity to contribute.
Oar state contains three and half mil
| lions of patriotic people. They apprcciN
ate the services rendered by Gen. Grant
to his country. He is placed in history
as the greatest soldier of the century. and
was the pride of the brave men who fol
lowed HIM during the late war We es.
pecially appeal to our fellow citizens who
were in the military service of the coun
try, and glorIfied in the courage, patriots
ism. resolution and military success OF
the great leader of the Union army, eacl
and all, to contribute something toward
this work of love We appeal, also to
the citiz - who were not soldiers, but
are today enjoying the benefits OF Grants
service.
The various civic orders are requested
TO cooperate in the collection OF funds
especially religious bodies, lodges and Sc
cret societies, rs well rs labor ORGANIZES
tons and all other associations.
The newspapers of the state are ear
nestly requested to give publicity to this
movement and To open subscription lists
at their respective offices.
But for De union army which hc led on
TO final victory, The country would not be
united and prosperous as il is today. The
smile of benlticcnt peace, the evidences Of
thrift and comfort all over the land would
not today he the boast OF the American
people, If the union had not been pre-
served by the valor and patriotism #
Grant and his army.
This association has been organized to
inaugurate a labor of love in which it is
believed The people Of Illinois will desire
to share, and stands prepared at any time
to surrender lis trust. We therefore cal
on our fellow citizens. one and all. Il
contribute something to aid in The cree
ton of the proposed monument. Organ
iZe in your respective counties, cities and
towns in your own way, and let us ali
unite in rearing such a testimonial to the
memory of our illustrinus fellow citizen
rs shall bear witness through all time to
our appreciation of the value OF his life
and services to humanity and TO til
world. john NJ. PALMER.
ID. WICKERsHAM,
d, r. LrTTLEE.
AT the last meeting of the association
held at Springfield President Cullom re,
ported that communications had been re
ceiyed from various portions of the state
in reference to the erection of monu
ment at the capital of the state in memo
ry of Gen. Grant. The secretary was IN
structed to have 5000 copies Of tn
memorial printed and distribute,
throughout the state, with blank subscrip
tion lists, and the association decides
that ii was important to inaugurate
| r. a, L.