The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-08-12

while overshadow, like a black and
ominous cloud, fearful in its portent, but
in. the end the cloud must pass away, ap1
the clear sunshine of truth reveal the true
character. How often it happens among
men that when bitter enemy lies
shrouded for the grave, when in the
presence of death, they are called upon to
be just and truthful, that they can see
much to admire, many manly traits of
character that they failed to recognize or
appreciate in life.
And it is also true that because public
opinion is in the end just and true, that
many men who were called heroes and
great and noble during their lives, when
their real character came to be read,
when it was seen that all the mainsprings
of their character were selfish ambition,
that tyranny and a disregard of the rights
of man were always the lines from which
they did not diverge, when the hollowness
of their pretensioDs were laid bare, they
ceased to be considered among the noble
and great of the earth.
We hazard nothing in saying that the
public opinion of grateful people, has
placed him, whom we this day mourn, in
commanding niche in fame's temple,
among the truly noble and great That
verdict is irreversable. There is-there
can be no higher authority to set it aside.
1t is the result of quarter of a century
of elaboration and judgment.
In our land there is no higher authority
than the people, and they this day mourn
their loved and honored dead. Yes, this
day, nation mourns. Not few friends
alone, not community alone, because
one of their foremost men is no more.
Not nation alone, but the civilized
world especially the English speaking
portion, is this day akin. There is a
pulsaton that is felt by all who admire
greatness and true nobility of character.
That was an impressive and touching
scene the other day, in Westminster Alb
hey, in that grand old Cathedral, hallowed
and historic, for there lie buried genera
tions of kings and scholars, warriors and
statesmen, the glory of England. There
were assembled her illustriOus mon to
mourn and pay tribute, to commemorate
and honor, as no foreigner ever had
before, the memory of Grant. There
among the tombs, the storied urn and
marble busts OF the illustrious dead, the
touching words spoken by Canon Farrar,
England illustrious churchman, vibrated
tender chord in the hearts of the Ameri-
can people.
What is it that to-day quickens the life
blood of the American people?
In yonder great metropolis, a column
which no man can number, with muffled
drums and beating hearts, the citizens and
citizen soldier, the war SCARED veterans
and the people, are this afternoon march
i'm fun trap
bearing to their resting place, ON the
banks of the beautiful Hudson, the NOR
tai remains of Ulysses S. Grant. Taken
in its distinctive character, its object,
tribute and heartfelt demonstration, it is
the grandest pageant, the noblest tribute
of respect the world ever saw. Through
out the land the sound of the hammer is
stilled, the voice of machinery hushed
Prayer is ascending from city and hamlet,
many are speaking the praises of him,
who to-day lives in the thoughts of men
while his body is being carried to the
grave.
He whose memory is so fondly cherish
ed by the nation, is no stranger suddenly
brought into public prominence. For a
quarter of a century the name of General
Grant has been a household word in
1t seems hardly necessary to recall the
trying times of 1861-G5, in our national
history. The life and death struggle,
remembered by many because of wound
| ed and dismembered bodies and shattered
constitutions, by many because of loved
ones going forth from kind and genial
homes, who never came back. The coun-
try at large remember it because of the
| then dark outlook for our country. While
in the main, men were hopeful, yet the
clouds of uncertainty soere thick, dark ana
impenetrd5le. One after another of oui
Generals were tried, until it was discover
ed that Grant was very largely possessed
of those qualities which would make him
a successful commander. The country
had watched his career with great and
absorbing interest. They saw the Galena
tanner rising up at his country's call
quietly raising company of soldiers, his
rapid advancement in rank, his command
ing and ringing victories at Donaldson ant
Henry, his marvellous achievements al
Vicksburg, his final command of the
whole army, then through the wilderness
of Virginia, the great struggle, the shock
of battle with all its horrors day after day
that terrible conflict the like of which the
world has never seen, until success crown
ed his efforts, and with success the white
dove of peace again lowered over oul
country, perched upon our flag, bearing
the olive branch.
Men who had awaited the issue fol
years almost with bated breath and strug
Cling hearts, now breathed freer, and a
paan of joy, thanksgiving and praise
went up from joyful people, and to him
who was recognized as our deliverer, n
sincere and earnest ''hail to the chief. -
A grateful people recognizing in him
true worth, a true and faithful leader
twice elevated him to the highest civic
trust that this nation could give. Yes
the highest that any nation could give, &
trust founded on the sovereign will of a
free and enlightened people. He was call
ed upon. to act in the trying times o.
reconstruction. There were no precedents
for rehabilitating rebellious states in tn :,
republic. 1t was necessarily slow pro
cess. The states must not only be again
clothed with government, but mus
be in harmony with the general govern
ment. The way must be felt. 1t mus
be done consistent with safety. There
must be firmness, yet magnanimity.
How we'll those great and trying ques
tions were met and handled, and his eff
forts in behalf of sound financial sys
tenn will more and more rebound to the
credit and honor of President Grant.
The Geneva arbitration commission, il
there was nothing else, will make his ad
ministIation noted and praised for al
time to come.
1t seemed as if this country and Grea
Britain were on the eve of war. While
tOur hands were full with the struggle a
home, they were fitting out armed priva
teers with the knowledge and connivanct
of their government to prey upon oul
commerce, and by that means our mer
chant marine, with its valuable cargoes
were swept from the ocean. The loss and
injury was very great and indemnity mus
be had. The high commission was pro
posed and handled with great care and
consummate skill. The result was sigma
triumph for our government, in the aware
and payment to us of some $12, 900, 600
That act will go down into history afte
wars are forgotten. 1t is lesson and ar
example to the nations, to submit differ
| ences to arbitration rather than the sword