The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-08-14
MANKATo's HoNoRs TO GRANT

Last Thursday and Friday were de-
voted Ia the draping of buildings, i'm
memory of the dead General, and by
Friday evening the mournful colors
could be seen on nearly every building
in the business centre of the city, worked
in designs most beautiful and varied.
Swords, uniforms, muskets and other
war paraphernalia were literally used TO
complete the fitness of the drapings. IL
would be useless 10 attempt detailed re-
vIew f all the different plans ofarrange-
ment, for each one merits n liberal men
ton. A rain for several hours Friday
night gave the impression that the exer-
cises would be interfered with, but il
proved a benefit rather than otherwise
as the dust on the streets had become
almost intolerable and the march Of the
procession was made far more pleasant
on account of the rain. Promptly ut the
hour appointed the different organiza-
tons took their assigned positions pre-.
paratory Ia joining the procession. The
order of procession and line of march
rs published in our last issue was strict
" observed, and the whole was very
imposing pageant.
The beautiful and spacious grounds OF
fered by that gentleman for the place O
holding the services, and the committe,
had the residence very deliberately
draped, and seats provided for severa
hundred persons. 4 large platform wa,
erected in connection with the porch
and seats provided for the speakers ana
distinguished parties. Long before the
march was ended, the seats were all oc
cupied by people anxious to hear, ana
10y the time the program was commenc
ed, the yard was full, hundreds of PEG
pie standing. The Germania band wa.
stationed on the yeranda above the
speakers, and the Grand Army Pos
were seated on the right of the stand
Mayor Barr and CITY Council oc
cupying the left.
The exercises commenced with divin,
invocation 10y Rev. +. NJ. Archer, fol
lowed by Hail 10 the Chief by tn,
band. Ex-senator Wilkinson was thel
introduced and delivered the followin,
appropriate address:
The death Of General Grant ha
awakened a more profound and uni
versal regret than was ever witnessed il
this, or in any other land.
five except the tragic death of Mr.. Lin
coin, At II time Of great national excite
ment, nothing like the universal sorrow
over the death Of Grant was ever known
in the world before.
The gorgeous pagents which have al
tended the funerals of titled rulers q
heros and conquerors, in other land
pale into formal and monotonous insig
niticance when compared To the dee
sorrow which is everywhere felt in thi
country to-day.
Nor is this solemn demonstration
of grief confined Ia this land alone
Ii has crossed the sea, and invaded tn
governments and peoples Of other land
rs well.
Not only is Westminster Abby close
~ packed with titled rulers and noble
men Of England, To listen To the CLOWN
eulogy on Gen. Grant 10y England
most gifted and eloquent divine, bu
from all over Europe, and from Japan
and the east, comes the same sorrowfu
greeting.
Why Is this?
| have asked myself the question
What Is the cause OF this voluntary an
universal demonstration Of sorrow owe
the grave of our great captain? Is
because of his transcendant militar
HHaffaTys tnnK mat anyone Will CLAIM
this. There are now, and have been i
the past. other great military heroes
who have eXcelled Grant in militar
science, and who have studied NOR,
closely than he the pure art of war.
Was it because he believed himself
great organizer of armies, with ability {,
drill and prepare them for the shock O
battle, and the severe turmoil of tn,
strife? / do not think that this super
ioritv will he claimed for him.
Or Is il, then, because Of his magic
power over men upon the BATTLE field
charming and dazzling the soldiers by hi
magnetism, as he led them into the
death struggle on the battle field? II
this regard do not think that the mos
ardent admirer of Grant will claim TO
him superiority over Sherman, as h,
appeared in that terrible rain of dealt
on the first day on the field OF Shiloh; O
sheridan in his fearful ride and reor
ganizatIon of his broken forces a
Winchester; or Of Hancock rs h,
rolled back the charging columns O
Lee at Gettysburg, or Of Stonewall Jack
son, ~ he appeared when he fell a
the head Of his corps at Chancellorville
Nor will it hardly be claimed that a.
great military organizer he was great
er than Won Molkie, or Scott, or Lee OF
Mcclellan.
Whence then comes his great excel
lence rs a military man, for il must he
conceded. think, that Grants great re.
nown comes from his military and not
from his civil life.
Ii is difficult TO compare Grant with
the military heroes Of the old world,
because the arena IN which he acted was
entirely different from theirs. Besides
this, our great captain led an army Of a
million of freemen, born and raised in
freedom, and not accustomed to the
arbitrary rules Of army life. His was
an army Of citizens soldiers
only because Of the great peril that was
upon their country.
They felt the same interest in the
triumph Of their cause that their great
leader felt; and that army only submit
ted 10 the tyranny of army dicipline
that Success might crown their efforts.
TO these men the fuss and glitter Of mill
tary display was nonsense, only as they
might contribute To the success Of their
cause.
Grant, Of all men, seemed best fitted
to command such an army. He was
one with the soldiers, having spent the
most Of his life among them, and having
endured with them the trials Of western
life.
He had no disposition to adorn him
self with the gcw-gaws and trappings
that would distinguish him from the
common soldier. In this he was differ
ent from many great captains. He
seemed To pay little attention to dress
parade or military reviews. He left all
this To- his subordinate officers.
Grant possessed wonderful intui-
tive knowledge Of men, and when once
lac selected his military household, they
possessed his fullest confidence, and he
never deserted them unless he was be-
trayed or his country dishonored by
them.
When this great captain decided upon
an important movement, he selected
the proper person to lead il, and he
trusted implicitly to the man whom he
had selected for the important duty. IL
success crowned the effort, he never
the honor for himself, but gaveail
the glory To the brave officers and men
who had won it. But If the venture
proved unsuccessful, he took all the re
sponsibility upon himself
AS Grant never assumed the detailed
Of different army corps, so
he never appropriated to himself the
honors Of their triumphs.
Could il be possible that general Of
E,l al 4