The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-09
4 Number of Eloquent Addresses and
an Appropriate Memorial Tribute.
Services by the Women's Relief Corps-A
General Observance of the Day in
All Parts of the State.
THE OPERA-HOUSE MEETING.

more persons. There were many ladies present.
and the space on the first and second floors was
rather closely filled; but, notwithstanding the
oppressive heat, the audience was closely at
tentive throughout the services, which occupied
nearly two hours. The seats in the central
part of the house on the main floor were occupied
by the members of the Grand Army posts,
Knights of Pythias, and the Light Infantry,
who marched to the place it body. On the
stage were seated Mayor McMaster, who pre-
sided, Governor Gray, Ex-Governor Porter. Hon.
W. e. English, Captain W. r. Myers, Captain
C. L. Hoistein Rev. Aug. Bessonies, Rev. O. G.
McCulloch, Hon. w. D. Bynum, Gen J. r. Car
nahan John j. Cooper Silas T. Bowen, General
Fred Knefer, James G. Yohn and others The
table of the presiding officer was drsped in
mourning, while in front of it stood portrait of
General Grant, around which was en-
wined the National colors and black Grape.
After opening the meeting Mayor McMaster
called upon Rev. Oscar G. McCulloch to invoke
che divine blessing. His prayer was exception
ally fitting, and was delivered with much fervor.
He expressed thanks for the life that had been
given to the world, and gratitude for the peace
In which it had ended for all that the life of the
man who is now mourned had given to u.s. for
the difficulties it had met and conquered; for the
peace and happiness that this land enjoys
to-day, which comes to US as part of the gift
from him whom we mourn. He prayed that we
might cherish the land so dearly bought, and hold
it above all low and cheap consideration, and
shat we may all ever feel proud of the country
which has given US such great man.
The prayer of Rev. McCulloch was followed
with the singing of the 1.-THE Funeral Bells"
Waves of sound above floating
On the breezes swell
How the shifting air around US
Doth of sorrow tell etc,
by a quartette composed of John g. Bake, DR..
Emery Hoover, Harry Sickes and M. D. Butler,
and the slow toilng of a bell on the rear of the
stage during the singing made the music espe-
eaily impressive.
THE MEMORIAL
At the closing of the singing the memorial,
which was prepared by Ex-Governor Porter:
was read by him as follows:
We have met on the day appointed for the
burial of Gen. Ulysses s. Grant, to express .ur
estimate of the great services he rendered his
country Few words necessary. The eat
soldiers history is familiar to, and most cher
ished possession Of the people. The traits that
distinguished hiln-the character so distinctly
lined and so single-received it's mould from our
institutions. Comparing him with other great
men of the world, we say, Here stands out,
upon the canvass of history. man who was
altogether an American
General Grant rose step by step to the great
height to which he attained simply by the force
of merit. He had no adventurous helps. He had
no great family connections, nor powerful friends
nor riches nor AN imposing person and lofty
carriage that sometimes deceive by counterfeit
ing greatness. In his plain face nothing
clearly written but courage and resolution
these were traced in every line. Heh had no arts
he was simple in all his ways. In the camp and
In the field there was nothing in his dress in
his appearance to distinguish him from the pri
vate soldier except the simple emblem on his
shoulders that denoted his rank. He courted
nobody he entered into no schemes He was
man that stood ready to do his duty and take
what befell, whether good or i'll. Our language,
happily, gives as one word that describes him-he
was genuine
He differed from all whom he met in one
thing From the beginning. in the midst of the
greatest disasters, i'll the periods of overshadow
Ing gloom, he never once doubted that the cause
of the Union would be successful. II believe"
said Sherman, writing when the rank OF lleuten
Hnt-general was about TO be conferred upon
Grant, "you are as brave, patriotic and Just, as
the great prototype, Washington. But the chief
characteristic is the simple faith in success you
have always manifested, which can liken to
nothing else than the faith a Christian has in the
and Vicksburg" This faith was strengthened
by other moral reinforcements. He had SUI
preme courage; a courage that always coolly
took the measure of danger, but never feared it.
His mind always at poise. No peril, no fail
ure of others To execute their parts, no sudden
derangement of plans confused him. When re
sponsibilites thickened and their burdens became
heavier, his mind grew steadler, and clearer, and
surer. When the numbers OF his troops We're
equal to those of the enemy, his faith and cour
calm do tolya +ha L.
desired to put an end to the expenses OF the
war to re-estahlish the Union, to bring in a
period of reconciliation. He believed that this
could be done only by fighting, and he acted
accordingly. He had faith in his men. In the
sudden and impetuous charge they might not
excel the enemy In persistence and in the cool
staying qualities, he believed that they did
While he did not underestimate the opposing
generals, he took care not to overestmate them,
and thus TO shrink from meeting them. He
believed that the brave generals under him
could perform their parts, ard he trusted them.
These things made him the great general
From these came Henry, and Donelson, and
Vicksburg and Shiloh, and Chattanooga, and
Appomatox. From these came peace, tho States
returned to their orbits. the Union renewed, and
strengthened, and glorifed.
The sublimest trait in the character of this
departed hero was his magnanimity. He never
appropriated to himself the credit that belonged
20 another His greatest generals complained
that in the division of glory he would not take
what was his own. When his great rival tLee)
eapituated, ne demanded no debasing terms of
surrender. He would not celebrate his triumph
over an enemy, now restored to be fellow
citizen, by marching with his victorious troops
into the confederate capital. His friendships
were SO constant that the greatest pang he could
feel was that a friend had proved false.
NO tribute To his memory would be complete
that did not refer to the purity of his domestic
NE. Napoleon, risen to renown, divorced his
beautiful and constant wife to wed the daughter
Of a king Grant, having risen to an equal
height of fame, would not be buried where the
wife of his YOUTH now plain and stricken with
years, could not lie by his side. The monument
shat should rise to his glory should testify to her
domestic virtues as we'll.
Heaven did not save him from misfortune and
ealumny, but it graciousiy. in the end, turned
them to his advantage, and prolonged his life til
he saw that it had been done. Every ebbipg