The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-05
GENERAL GRANTS LAST SPEECH.
A Pathetic Scene that Occurred Last Summes
at Ocean Grove.

Ocean Grove IN. j.. Special
On the Sd and Atm of August last the chaplaina
OF the Northern and Southern armies in the re-
bellion gathered in convention at Ocean Grove.
The professed object of this meeting, as ex-
pressed by a delegate, was ito help Danish that
sectional bitterness which clusters around the
words Yankee and rebel" It was announced
at the first session that General Grant would be
present, and it was generally understood atnoon
the next day that he had arrived according to
promise AS the hour approached for the after
noon meeting, the streets and square near the
great auditorium were blocked by an expectant
crowd. Shortly after 2 o'clock two men were
noticed leaving the Arlington Hotel. One was
Immediately recognized as George FL. Stuart
of Philadelphia, under whose direction the con-
vent:on was held. Leaning on his arm and sup
porting himself at the same time with wooden
crutch the other figure moved slowly and pain
fully along This was General Grant, but few
recognized him as he passed slowly into the
auditorium Office, so much had he changed since
his visit to Ocean Grove only year before
Half an hour afterward beneath the roof Of
the auditorium was wedged solid mass of peo-
pie. The aises seemed more densely packed
than the seats; and far off beyond the further
most benches, up TO the white square of tents
beyond, thousands stood on tip-toe to catch the
first glimpse of the hero. AS the bell in the
tower was ringing. General Grant, still leaning
on the arm of Mr.. Stuart, and still painfully
using the crutch, hobbled down the steps of the
fifteen thousand people sprang to their feet.
cheered, shouted and waved handkerchiefs until
the clang of the big bell in the tower above their
heads was lost for many minutes in the applaud
ing roar There was moments lull. Then a
gray-haired gentleman in the audience proposed
three cheers for u. S. Grant" and the APP
plause was even more prolonged and louder than
before. Mr.. Stuart said a few words of heart
felt compliment and congratulation, and after
him the Rev. A. j. Palmer, of New York, who
enlisted at the age of fourteen, and served all
through the war. made address of welcome
closing as follows:
''The man inaexible in peace invincible in
war, calm in defeat magnanimous in victory
such man say can never be belittled or dis
graced by the sharks and the sharpers of Wall
street." When tho cheers. which continued for
more than five minutes, had at last subsidized
General Grant came forward, and resting pain
fully on his crutch said in low voice, which,
however could be heard distinctly in the death
like hush: "An hour ago might have made a
speech, but now / am almost afraid to try. /
know as few can the good these chaplans have
done Think of the consolation they have given
to the sick and dying; think of the last message
of the boys in the field they have sent to anxious
Borrowing mothers and fathers at home. have
not words to express my thanks for this well
come. appreciate" The sentence was never
finished Tears stood in the Generals eyes ard
he dropped back in his seat with suppressed
Sob This is believed to be General Grants last
formal appearance in public. He was driven
back that night to his cottage at Long Branch.