The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-01

welded the thunuerbolt BATTLE the dexter
but deadly grace which guided the lance Of pal
adm of old. His brilliant star shines in the galaxy
of the heroes of the battlefield. whom,
from both sides history has chosen for the armament
of military fame And fortune gave to him peculiar
glory In that great combat which. more than any
single beside. the Nations safety hung, the
preme moment OF decision committed TO his con-
duct His command sustained the desperate assault
which Pickett led, stalking the battle the issue;
with bloody penalty, drove him back and won the
mentous day. And there. stricken with grlev-
wound, his blood poured upon the earth. But
it fell upon the roots of his renown; and among the
laures of the field of Gettysburg. Hancocks spring
immortal.
Upon the rocky side of your majestic Hudson an
other sepulchre has been buided an urn of mortality
enclosed within it.
And thither, through coming ages far beyond the
stretch of human ken to tell the patriots of and
the greatsouled of every land in unceasng pilgrimage
will hold their way to feel the touch of glory there
For. in that shrine of immortality are stored the
ashes of the invincible instrument of God, whose
genius ruled the whirlwnd of to the salvation OF
the Republic. There. parted from the sight of his
lamenting countrymen the perishabe form OF the I'M
conquered Grant
The speaker then traced the military history
of General Grant up to the time he took COM
mand of the entire army, and said:
The man of destiny found. Raised to supreme
command, he seized the whole vast enginery of the
war and in harmonious cooperation the mighty
forces responded to his will | may not protract the
story through its enhancing details Apportioning
to his great eutenants the controversy with Others
Il
and never parted from the fight It was worthy of
both, and stands unequaled, in modern at least
in its deadly tenacty and ferociry Within year it
ended and the great rebellion FELL crushed to utter
abject ruin.
Study the tmelness and effect of his victories; the
cheer of Donelson to the country q drooping spirit
what, without him. Shiloh would have proven; how
despite the objection of those beside him and the
mand of those above him, he drove the rendng wedge
of through Vicksburg and burst the Confederacy
in twain; the peril and rescue of the armies at Knox
vile and Chattanooga consider the fate of all before
him who had attempted the attack of Lee on his
familiar ground recall the desperate need of haste to
the burdened country and the chances FOR the Union
had the been protracted by year or two
and tell me, If without Grant, the Republics victory
stood assuredl If, still you say, might the Union have
withstood its peril reckon the further cost in life and
wealth of at least another year of war. Bethlnk ye
then who In this grand metropolis keep the keys OF
the country's wealth. what would now have been your
comparative condition had heaven not vouchsafed him
to your needs. Does not that tomb upon the Hudson
deserve from you, right soon, appropriate commence
ration of the mighty dead it ooversf View the CO.
lossa riches piled along streets the granares of
the continents prosperity and say if your necessity
be not pressing lest that sacred grave in want of fit
ting honor, become monument to your reproach
Unpretentious but heroic in daring and in fortitude
skillfully intelligent in military learning and gifted
with nuive genius to perceive conditions and create
forms; with the inner light that truly forecasts
issues his iron resolution failing in calm serenity
and conference.-the was the true soldier of liberty
And, beyond his sodiership he was great and noble
man. He met on equal terms half the royalty of
earth he heard the plaudits of the world. he suffered
port, and lost his self control or broke his
silence He never failed in friendship though he
perienced the crueest betrayal of his trust No pro-
fame word or impure tale ever passed his lips and
grief to day is dumb in the presence of his certain
glory for to him the promise of the great sermon
IL the love- Of hs
was big with love of his feliowsmen. He knew the
spirit of the cause he led and the necessities of the
in that very hour when final triumph gave the finish
to his martial crown. He thought not of himself the
assured idol of undying renown, but of them who
bore the agony of defeat. He forbade the
guns of victory to sound humiliation to their
ears; and kindly counselng their future he left their
private goods to the solders of the ruined army and
encouraged them to restore their homes Recognizing
with joy the fruition of his hone in the OPEN
ing to his country even in the rack of torture he
spoke the supremest glory of his work to the first of
the great antagonists he overcame, when he said to
General Buckner, II have witnessed since my sick
ness just what wished to since the
harmony and good feeling between the sections"
Visited with excruciating pain mental and physical
his suffering and his patience wrung the tears of his
countrymen. Even then was not Heaven with him
for his greater glory9 His majestic heroism brought
light into the eyes of all men, the grandeur Of his
character exalted far above the clouds of caumny
and misfortune. Bravey struggling with coming
death, and wrung with anguish he uttered cry
moan; but toiing to finish his life work In se
ratiye of his deeds, he gaze it tribute to the
honor of the soldiers and sailors on both sides of the
war and thanked God for the lingering hours of tor
ture which had enabled him to the happy harmony
between those engaged but few short years ago in
deadly conflict
And grandly did he triumph over DEATH
The proudest trophies that graced conquer
ers train nothing to the radiant glory which
shone upon his triumphal march to take possession
of his promised land of rest. There, indeed
they who had yielded to his pussant arms the nobest
of captves. But chains there, the
bonds of love and honor selfimposed sIn the mighty
throng of his lamenting countrymen, the differing
marks of former days lost in universal homage
and the love of Christ which welcomed him spread
its warm dominion through the hearts of men and
spanned the continent with tie rainbow of eternal
peace. The beautiful splendor fell softly DER the
hills and valleys of country where in scattered
sunken graves repose the bones of heroic men. On
their lonely resting places the brightest hues Of
light and color fingered in glorious promise of their
reward.
Oh, noble deadl Your sacrifice was not in vain
Safely rests the land you saved on the patriotic
breasts of your countrymen. with malice toward
with charity for ALL they shall fraternay pur-
their grand and in their hearts your hal
lowed memory shall be your countrys treasure and
stay forever.