The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-09

trappngs OF pomp and the pageantry of display.
In many such instances the observances have been
official rather than spontaneous; the attestation
or interest has been an expression of respect
due to position, rather than tribute of ahec~
ton for personal worth; the demonstration
has sprung from the impulse of national ego
tism, rather than from the we'll springs of enthu-
siastlc appreciation, and the heroes themselves
nave gained their distinction from the luster
thelr deeds have given to the pride
OF nation rather than from tbs
services they have rendered to mankind
The celebration has been provincial; the interest
OF outside nations has been more curious than
sympathetic, and not unfrequenty the uncon-
selous recipient OF these national ovations has
at the same time, been spoken OF by the people
OF other realms in terms of reproach or exeera-
tlon' puC to-day the body of is being
buried VINO. twenty five years ago, was unknown
TO Iame The circumstances of an internecine
strife brought him into public notice Till then
ne was an obscure citizen of the Republic dwell
ing IN small country town, and pursuinS Am
humble calling. Since then his name bas h.
come household word in the remotest hut and
hamlet on the earth His presence has
has been honored by the homage of the
majesties of empires, and his footsteps craetsd
by the teeming millions of our generation And
now that he is dead, nation mourns and the
world is in tears
And what, we ask, is there is the death Of u.
s. Grant that should call forth expression OF
interest so phenomenal, q spectacle so sublimes
The question admits of twofold answer la
the first place. General Grant, as military CAP
tain, gave success to a cause with which Was
Identified the highest interest and welfare OK
mankind. We are living in an age in wh5ch
moral ideas enter into and give ehaTae-
ter to national issues The conviction
at last IS coming to be recognized that the true
end Of all governments is the good of all saa
governed the securing Of equal rights to every
| individual, the perpetulty of liberty and the
| fellowship Of brotherhood. Time was. and aos
| very remote when nations fought for the per-
aOUl n nnnlO rYASra
and the triumph of arms meant
| the subjugaton of weaker nations to the yokeof
| foreign oppression. Later on, success in arms
meant the glory of a Nation in the extension Of
| territory, in the interest of the commercial
prosperity of the dominant people, aud
at the sacrifice of the rieAts
of the conquered races Men
| became heroes because they were successful in
wars of rapine. injustice and oppression. Re-
bellions were in the behalf of outraged rights,
and revolt was the uprising of an enslaved peo-
pie against the iron hand of tyranny Butin the
instance Of our recent war the strange spectacle
presented itself of the revolutionary protest
of section of the free citizens of the United
States against the doctrine of equality, broth
erhood and liberty. 1t was the proposition e a.
disafected minority to set themselves up
independent nation, for the purpose Of Welding
more firmly letters on the limbs 81 a
slave population, of making themselves the
disputed lordlings of an abject race and of grew
ing rich out of the sweat of unrequited soil.
Sucn q contention was an outrage on the eth
lightened instincts of our common humanity.
SUPPOSED it had succeeded, the only goyernmentan
earth committed to the maintenance of human
rights would have been destroyed. The fBser
of progress would have been set back on the dial
Of human history; the hopes Of tae
oppressed of the land would haze
sunk in the gloom of despar;
the tyrants of older dynastics would have hailed
the downfall of free institutions. and the humh
alton OF the friends of human rights and man
kind would have witnessed the triumph OF q
nation built upon the ruins of human liberty.
1t is needless to compare the military geHtas
of Grant with the martial character of the brave
men who opposed him in battle. The world pays
honor to his memory not because it regards iGsn
a better strategist and ADLER commander thao
Lee, but because he consecrated the greatness az
his powers to the successful maintenance OF a
| government founded on the recognition of human
rights The Union has been saved, and with ii
| the curse of human bondage has been swept
away from its borders AS the result of tie
ordeal, the Union of States has merged inSo-
an organic unity. 1t has demonstrated that "a
government for the people, by the people sLs1
not perish from the earth" 1t stands forth a
perpetual menace to worn out tyrannies and
effete barbarism. Moreover, the outcome az
the conflict is proving that in preventing tAe
fanaticism of the hour from perpetra: leg
the deelinaton of the Union, the
era of prosperity was secured to the people whs
conspred for her overthrow The of geaE
feeling is returning, and the soldiers that fought
under the flag Of the confederacy are standsny
to-day by the made grave of tie
h heg0 s.y who the eonqq No3on our and
heartfelt emotion are paying their tribute of
respect to the memory of the man who conquered
them. Nay it is not too much to say that tse
death of Grant has evoked the sentiment Of
loyalty in the hearts of the South.
and that his grave the sections, taHs
once stood before each other in hostile
array are shaking hands in the pledge st
| the lasting brotherhood and mutual patriotism.
g. %DE
from the honors he had achieved was the een-
ISOLATION that ere his eyes were closed in death
he was permitted to witness the growing union
of the hearts of both sections of tho
country in loyal devotion to flag OF
this undivided Nation When the principles,
to the triumph OF which this Nation stands eam--
mitted shall pervade and control the people OF
all lands and every cline, there will be three
names that will be taught to prattling infancy,
that will be inscribed in every primer, that viii
be emblazoned in brass and scu ptured in marose,
that will give inspiration to every noate
ambition, will become the watchword OF the
worlds progress. and the statesman of che
world s best civilization; these names have al
ready become luminous in the constellation Of
American history, and will be cherished sad
revered 10 the latest moment of recorded tEsza-
These names are Washington, Lincoln, Grant
There is no whose private character has
been so conspicuous before the scrutiny Of tic
public gaze, that has commanded such unqu@s-
fed admiration as Grant In too many lnstaR-
ces the eulogies on public men nave to suppress
the mention of glaring defects or to speak OF
them in terms of qualified praise
and eulolist disclaimer. But in the case OK
Grant this very publicity has only revealed the
eoupoise of those traits which challenge admIra-
ton and awaken affection and respect. Every
body knows all that is to be known
of his character. and all that 10
known is worthy of our estee@.
In this regard this typical American stands
forth the model for the imitation of the rising
generation. The exposition reveals the seerets
of true manhood and tells how all men may
become. if not distinguished on the rolls of fame,
great in them elves
Tho Reverend Doctor then spoke of CRAFTS
eenuiness of patriotism, and referred to what he
wrote to his mother when in West Point:
Should l become a soldier for my country
look forward with the hope to have you sparsd