Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-11-28

While in New York recently | paid
visit to the tomb of General Grant in River
side Park on the Hudson. A long ride on
the Elevated and a short ride on the street
railroad brings one in the neighbOrhOOd of
the park. The immediate vicinity of the
park is taken up with factories, small
stores and very ordinary dwelling houses,
and the place As whole is the very last
place in point of SuitabienesS for the tomb
OF the greatest commander our country has
yet produced. A winding path of free
stone tagging leads from the street to the
entrance of the park. The visitor TO the
park is besieged by little boys who make
great eNertiGns to sell him long folding
series of views illustrating scenes in the
life of the great commander. River
side park itself has beautiful
situation, overlooking as ii does the
lOTdly Hudson for several miles. 1t is
called a park by courtesy only. The grass
is uneven and ragged; the winding paths
look very different from the smooth, beauti-
ful bOuleyards of Central Park. The whole
place wears a lonely and detected air,
which never fails 10 fOrcibly and disagree
ably impress the visitor. The trees are
struggling and the lawns were unkempt.
and reminded one of an Indiana cowpasture
after a twO-mOnth drOuth. Inquiring INV
way 10 the Grant tomb. | saw in the dis
tance the little arched brick structure which
has become SO familiar through pictures.
In 4 short time | stood beside the tomb. An
infinite mind might possibly conceive of
something more unimpreSsive, insignificant
and shabby than this little brick tomb
where the generous (?l public of New York
allows this greatest commander of the cen
tury to rest, but the tomb is the last pOssi-
bility in this direction considered as the
work of men claiming skill as designers.
The tomb is nothing more nor less than
little arched brick vault, smaller than any
one in Ferncliff in this city. 1t is lined
with white glazed tiling, and the interior is
filled with ferns and large plants, which
are kept perpetually green by frequent
watering. The tomb is 50 small that it is
completely OvershadOwed by the two large
policemen who are kept on duty there.
There are no other tOmbs i'm
the park if we may except the
monument to IAN amiable child
which stands not far from the Grant tomb.
In addition to all this in point of fitness for
the resting place of General Grant-incon-
ceivahle as il may seem-sOme sharp.
,Chrming GOthamite has had the sacriligious
indecenCy to actually erect a refreshment
tent within few steps of the tomb, where
he peddles root beer and ginger ale, pop.
and popcorn balls to the thirsty tourists
who visit the tomb. An enormous sign on
the tent announces that it is the "Monu-
mcnt RefreShment Tent" The whole
thing is on the same order as the refresh
ment tents near the side-shOw of circus
tent. and every American is forced to blush
at the indecency of any city which allows
such a shocking proclamation of the nations
dead. | heard an old soldier say at the
tomb. MY God. this sight makes my blood
boil New York has made the tomb of our
dead commander another Of her 'attrac-
tions." and allows fakir to sell peanuts
and root beer almost in the shadow of the