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

flaming torch It is the statue of the Goddess
of Liberty enlightening the world 1t is the
symbol of our free government 1t is well that
Grant should rest near by, for they are kin, and
he was Libertys favorite son. There let him
rest in peace after lifes many struggles. There
over him build monument that shall break the
clouds, and point the way to heaven. The
worlds greatest soldier should have the worlds
greatest monument
THE CLOSING TRIBUTE.
The concluding address was delivered by Con-
gresham Bynum, and was as follows:
When the dark curtains OF mourning are
draped upon every building from the gorgeous
mansion in the great metropolis to the smallest
cottage in the Wilderness and sorrow depicted
upon every brow, from the greatest sovereign III
her royal palace to the humblest peasant In MS
hut, silence is more appropriate than words
more eloquent than rhetoric. The life, char
acter and great services of General Grant,
however, were such that mingled with our
grief and sorrow at his death, should De
found expressions of gratitude and admiration
for his acts while living His private life was
beyond reproach; his character without proto-
type, and his services 20 his country beyond
computation. Crowned with victory in a contest
in many respects unparalleled; twice elevated
to the highest position in the gift of his people;
cour.ed and fattered by royalty around the
world, he ever remained the same quiet and I'M
destinations person when dwelling in his
humble home upon the prairies of the West
The character of General Grant is without
simitude in history. Possessing rare talents
and great originality; surrounded by circum-
stances for development and display, ne arose to
the full measure of his countrys opportunities
and his own duties Self-reiant, without self
esteem; confident, without dogmatism; cour
ageous. without pretensons; victorious, without
ostentatiOn, be was the peer Of Napoleon as a
military genius, the equal of Washington a
patriot, and the superior of any of his age in the
magninimity of his success and power AS a
general, we need but number his fields to count
his victories. AS President, he filled the execu-
tive chair for eight years. the most critical In
the civil history of our country, and whatever
criticisms may have been made upon his acts.
time has dspelled the business of many, and ID
charitable world is ready to-day to obscure his
errors and mistakes with the veil of forgetful-
ness.
The people of the United States can not but
experience melancholy pleasure in the closing
scenes of his eventful life 1t was nv pleasure
to be present during the last hours of the Forty
eighth Congress, when the bill placing Gen. Grant
upon the retired list with the rank and pay of
general of the army became law. l was graft
fed then, and am proud to-day, that our repre-
sentative in that body Mr.. English, cast his vote
in favor of the measure. True, it was but
slight recognition of the great service rendered
by him in behalf of his country; yet it must
have been great solace to him, the sun
sinking and the shadows of the valley of death
were shooting athwart his pathway, to know
that enrolled upon her records was the highest
mark of appreciation and gratitude republic
could bestow
In Chicago | stood beside an ex confederate
colonel, and viewed that patriotic. soul stirring
panorama, the battle of Gettysburg. After
viewing the scenes of carnage and death from
Round Top to Cemetery Hill, turning to me he
said: II know you look with pride upon the vic
tory OF the federal army upon this field, and are
OILS Oft hn ltC nf boz
than myself. | do not know what would have
become of US If we had succeeded" Now that
truth and time has driven away the fanatacism
and prejudice of our misguided friends in the
South, and they have been brought to realza-
ton of the fact that the termination of the war
was greater blessing to them than any
other section of the country what greater
tribute could they pay to the memory of
General Grant than to come, and with tender
hands assist In bearing his remains to their final
tomb, and mingle their tears of sorrow with
those of the brave men who followed him at
Donelson, at Vicksburs. through the Wilderness,
to success and to glory? The example of fra
ternal love and charity which he gave to the
people when he extended his death stricken arm
and grasped the hand of General Buckner that
had contended against him at DOnelson for SUI
premacy, and expressed the hope that peace and
unity between the sections should endure for
ever, we may, with propriety say has seldom, if
ever, been excelled except upon the cross of Cal
vary In the expiring hours of the Savior when
he said: Father forgive them for they know
not what they do"
General Grants career was but the unfolding
of the buds enveoped in his being A true and
devoted husband. kind and affectionate father
suffering untold pain, with the knowledge that
the messenger of death was on his way to sum
mon him from time to eternity, his thoughts
were of those whom he loved, and his greatest
anxiety in this supreme hour was for their COM
fort and welfare. Among all the great qualities
of his nature there is one however, which in
my judgment sparkles as the Koh-i-noor among
the gems of his characterize was never known
to barter friend for the purchase of an enemy
There Is tear for all that die
mourner DER the humblest grave;
But nations swell the funeral cry
And triumph weeps above the grave
The services closed with the singing, by all
present, of Nearer My God to Thee after
which the benediction was pronounced by Rev
M. L. Wells.