The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-28


"As some tail cliff that lifts its awful form,
Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm,
Though round It's breast the rolling clouds are spread
Eternal sunshine settles on its head"
[Applause.l
HON. A. 6. PoRTERs SPEECH.
Governor Porter then spoke as follows:
Mr. Chairman and fellow-ctizens: So much
has been justly and fitly said that little can re-
main unsaid. It would be natural that should
have been inclined to say something of the in
cidents and circumstances Of battles fought
under General Grants leadership, but what
has been said has been too we'll said
for me to take the risk of repetition.
and suffering, but it has been tempered by rich
compensxtions He has been able to observe
and to be flied with overlooking sense that
the peoples love has returned to him like food,
and to perceive what Is the judgment of the liv-
ing concerning him, and what is likely to be the
judgment of posterity. The old regard has re-
turned to him with more than the old fullness.
His is a consolation which, unhappily, is seldom
allowed to greatness.
The Duke of Wellington, whom in some re-
spects General Grant strongly resembles, was
deprived, believe, in his later years, of much of
the splendor of his old popularity. The win
dows OF his house were stoned by an infatuated
mob. An attempt was made to burn the man
sion which had been given to him by the Nation
in token of its gratitude. Waterloo seemed to
have been forgotten. He died suddenly, of apo
plexy. And then Nations boundless gratitude
came pouring in. as when the sea- wall gives way
before tho resistless tide.
But in the case of Grant the sea that now
breaks through its walls pours the flood of a
peoples love into warm and living heart.
Mr.. Chairman, speak Of our great men
that this one stands first and this one second,
and so But when Grant shall have left us
it will never be said or him that he stands Sec
ond to any other He will stand equal
and not second to Washington. Washington's
name is kalowed by time. The day of criticism
of General Grant viii soon have passed. and the
transcendent greatness of the man will stand
fully revealed. Indeed the criticisms which he
has had to bear have not been so great as those
which unjustly assailed the Father of his Country
There are few men in history whose faults are
so few as Grants-whose virtues are so tran
scendent. Indeed, the single great fault that
has been imputed to him has proceeded from a
virtue that MAJ be said to have grown too rank
that his friendships are so constant that he too
slowly perceives the faults of friend that has
proved untrue and unworthy.
may not speak at large here where so many,
doubtless, desire to speak. of the virtues of our
great soldier. From the beginning of the great
conflict in which his was the leading mind he
never doubted the event. No cloud obscured
the cearress of his sky. This general might
lose battle. this army might be put to rout,
but the stern resolve that the Union should not
fall to pieces he believed would not fail in it's
purpose
And then the grand personal qualities of this
quiet but ever resoute man. tenlptation
never entered his clear and generous soul to
enrich his own fame by appropriating the deeds
of others. No human heart was ever clearer of
envy, no soldier ever so unwilling to disparage
a feliow-soldier He had it in his power in the
blast him. He had it in his
power to dwarf the fame Of many
others; yet did what they say Of hm2 That
his modesty was so great and his soul SO gener-
Gus that he would not take what was his own.
The friendship between him and Sherman,
and Sheridan, and Mcpherson will some day be
turned into story that will be as engaging as the
knightly stories of romance
His magnamity-his self abnegation-have
been measureless. When the terms of surren-
were to become paroled prisoners of war. That
included a surrender of their swords. But the
magnanimity Of Grant-without any suggestion
from them-inserted clause in the terms that
their swords would not be required The world
expected the spectacle of the heroic army, headed
by its ilustrious General, marching through the
streets Of the confederate capital but Grant
turned from Richmond, which he never entered,
because he coveted no vainglorious display. and
because he wished TO hasten to WaShingto& to
dsband armies and. relieve the people of the
burden Of their support When his victorious
troops opened salutes with which to honor him,
he directed them to desisr because he did not
wish to triumph over fallen foes-especially when
member that Sherman offered terms of surrender
to Johnston which were not acceptable to the
government, or as it seemed to- a majority Of
the people. Grant was directed torevoke the
terms, and to offer others. He visited Sherman,
told him what the government demanded and
requested him TO propose the terms, which he
did. Grant did not see Johnston He would
subject to no affront or humiliation his gallant
companion in arms
Grant is SO exempt from ostentation, and yet
f1l1 pft ha Of rb hat xUa
have new chivalry that despses pomp, aud cir
cumstance, and trappings, and every form of
personal parade.
I have not time. Mr. President, to dwell on
haps be found here and there in it. But the great
measures which owe their establishment to him
are hardly less important than the great events
of the war. He stood for sound currency
against all odds; for the maintenance of the ma
tional faith by Reputation of all captivating
schemes by which our creditors might be cheated
and by insisting upon an honest payment of the
national debt. The frmness which he gave to the
government enabled us to bring to successful
issue our claim against Great Britain for losses
inflicted by the confederate privateers And
what is more than all to his credit, he gave to
the world the example of great and victorious
general desiring above all things that we might
preserve peace with all nations.
And last. sir, but not least. he has added new
charm to the word "home" by presenting us the
spectacle of a great hero to whom his hearth
stone is dearer than all the worlds APPLAUSE
home than which there is none happier in all the
circle Of the world.
Governor Porter's speech was warmly ap-
plauded at each of the several good points he
made.
Judge Nioiack, being called for. said ne had
not come understanding he would be called
upon for a formal speech. nor would he give one
He then briefly spoke of the pleasant relations
that had existed between Grant and himself i'm
mediately following the war, and that he had al
ways found him liberal, generous, magnanimous
and practical In everything he had to do or to
say.
Mfr. w. p. Fishback was called to speak, but
said he believed that everyone could see the pro-
priety of adjourning the exercises, as enough
had been said and well said
Mr. + Y 'lTaynerd then read {ha folloxv;c -