The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-28
THE CELEBRATION In THIS CITY.

Adoption of a Memorial of Sympathy and Re-
spect-Speeches by Number of Citizens.
The meeting held at the United States Dis
trict Court room last evening, to commemorate
the sixty third birthday of General Grant, and
to testify the affection of our people for the
Nations sufferer, and their appreciation for
his great services to the Nations cause,
was strikingly representative one, the audi
ence being composed of the best and foremost of
our citizens and of both political parties. There
was no attempt to decorate the room. Behind
the judges desk, the place occupied by the
chairman, large national flag was spread, and
in its center portrait of General Grant
On motion of Mr.. John G. New, Governor
Gray was chosen to preside. and Judge Lewis G.
Walker was made secretary
GOVERNOR GRAY's SPEECH
Upon taking the chair, the Governor spoke as
follows
My Fellow-citizens: sincerely thank you for
the honor conferred in being chosen to preside
over this assemblage. Pursuant to the published
call we have convened TO commemorate the an
lustrious citizens. This is the sixty third ami
versary of the birth of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant,
the greatest military chieftain now living.
The ceremonies of this evening will
paseia fa Of a 9mR fasoma and praise s
for the military chieftan but the expression of
our appreciation of the great services he rem
dered the country as commander of the Union
armies, and our deepfet sympathy with him
and his family on account OF the sore afiilctlon
that has now come upon our great chieftan. All
civilized people have ever honored those who, in |
the hour of their country's danger gave the high
est evidence that it was possible for man,
to give of his devotion to his country l might
AZ ,nyip
brought independence to the American colonies,
and secured to them the right of self govern
ment Gettysburg, the Wilderness and Appomat
tox redeemed the broken pledges and lifted up
the down n-trodden equities of citizenship, and
placed free government upon its legitimate basis.
Out from the victory in the Wilderness, and at
Appomattox, rose that truth that had underlain
the foundation of tho government from its form
first, Nation, and then local in
its laws for the government of the people. APP
plause Out from the very lightning of the
battle out from the victories of the Union ar
mics commanded by General Grant, the stricken
chieftain, arose that eternal truth-that all menare
equal before the law and entitled to its impartial
protection. Applause There is not a heart in alls
this broad country, from the Atlantic to the Pa
ciic, from the lakes on the nor tn to tho gulf on
the SOUTH but day throbs with fervent hope for
the recovery of that great chieftain who rendered
such signal service to the country. Applause. {
The victories Of the armies ne commanded were ,
not obtained for conquest and oppression, but to
preserve the Constitution given us by our ances-
tors, the wisest and best instrument for the gov
ernment of men ever yet devised, and the per-
petuity of the Union Hereunder; and there is
not heart in all this broad country but does
beat with fervent prayer, not only
for his recovery, but that many long years Of
happiness may yet be in store for him; and
when, in the inevitable order of things, the time
shall come when he shall be gathered and laid
in the dust by the side of his fathers, that he
will go down full of honors and amidst the
prayers and gratitude of the country he has
served so we'll. Applause. The meeting is
now open and ready for further proceedings
Mr. John c. New moved that committee of
five be appointed by the chairman to draft
suitable memorial to be sent to General Grant
as an expression of the sympathy aud apprecia-
tion of the citizens of Indianapolis Governor
Gray named as the committee John G. New,
VIM. Fl. English, VIM. E. Niblack, r. S. Foster
and Charles l.. Holstein The committee then
retired. Senator Harrison, the next speaker of
the evening" was announced.
SENATOR HARRIsoN's SPEECH.
Senator Harrison spoke as folows
Mr.. President and fel!ow-citizens: The cele.
bration by public meeting of the anniversary
of the birth of a living citizen is a somewhat ex-
ceptional event. We usually wait until man
mas Decl gathered 10 ldtutTo pSloEc NO pub
the anniversary of his birth upon the calendar
of our national holidays l think have noticed
recently that in Germany the birthday Of
the iron Chancellor was celebrated throughout
that magnificent empire with every manifesta-
ton of popular enthusiasm and delight Why
shall not we, then, as American citizens, celebrate
this lustrious dayl We can scarcely name
day that would not be the anniversary of some
great achievement of Ulysses S. Grant. [Ap-
plause. lie has So crowded the years with
memorable events. There are circumstances
connected with the present condition of the citi-
zen in whose honor we have assembled, that lend
a tinge of sadness and pathos to the. pro-
ceedings of this meeting. General
Grant is in pain and in danger.
He faces foe to whom the mortal part Of every
man must surrender. He is making a sturdy
and magnificent contest against the powers or
disease and decay which have fastened Them
selves upon his bodily frame. We cannot 60 to
his bedside to minister to him. Only a few OF
those who stand close TO him in the family rela-
tion may bring their gentle ministra.
tions to his bedside but we gather
here in this meeting to express our
sympathy, and to convey to our sick friend an