Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-28
ULYSSES S. GRANT.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OF TH1
GREAT UNION GENERAL
4 Life Sketch Of the Hero by senator
Brown Of Georgia Senator sher.
man and the New South.
lBy tslerrapn to the Diapaten.l

WHICH pcbcias ofahsf NuCu IiVoSASnsf
vas constant attendant. The meet
irg was held under the auspices Of the
Grant Memorial University, Of Athens,
Teup., the purpose being to make
known the work and objects Of the in
stiiution, to the support OF which the
hero Of Appomattox was the first cash
subscriber, and in aid OF which he len,
the influence Of his name and the en-
eoutsgement Of his word and example.
Speakers Of emineDce took part in the
proceedings, and an audience comprising
distinguished legislators, diplomats, and
soldiers filed every seat. Chief.Justice
Waite presided. The proceedings begun
with prayer by Bishop Andrews, Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
To Senator Brown, Of Georgia, was
assigned the honor Of giving life
sketcl--necessarily brief one-of the
hero. He enlarged upon the generosity
and kindness Of Grant toward the con-
quered after the surrender Of General
Lee, and declared that his course soft
ened the hearts OF thousands OF southern
men who, while surrendering to him as
the victor at arms, recognized him as
benefactor.
OF Grants presidential career the
orator said sll would doubtless admit
that he made some mistakes, but all
would concede that his Administration
was characterized by many strong
points and much practical good sense.
When the prejudice Of time shall have
passed away impartial history would
do full justice to Grant and his Admin
istration.
AS military man he was one OF the
most remarkable known to history. II
must be admitted by all that whatever
the emergency be rose to the full mea-
sure Of the man for the emergency, aud
the series OF victories which attended
his career marked him as hero aud q
great commander. When the passions
kiDdled by the war shall have passed
away. and those who took part in the
Struggle on both sides shall have gone
to their reward, succeeding generations
Of Americans would delight to honor
as the great military chieftains of
American history the Confederate
Robert Z. Lee and the great Union
hero, Ulysses S. Grant, to whom Lee
surrendered his sword.
To Senator Sherman was allotted as
a text, "Grant and the New South"
a theme which, be said, was altogether
too broad for the limited time in which
he must discuss it. lie spoke Of the
new South as one Of the mysteries Of
be furthermore a matter Of hope and
expectation than one OF realization. The
Old South Was an oligarchy, in which
ole third Of the population we're slaves,
deprived OF advantages absolutely H.
dIspensable TO civilization, while one
fourth Of the population were ad-
mirably trained and disciplined for
he highest duties Of manhood.
He compared the South to the
oligarehies Of Rome and Greece at pc.
RODS Of their history, and her leaders
to the barons of Runnymede, who,
when they met to frame the Magma
Cbarts. looked out very we'll for their
own privileges as against the King, but
cared little for the privileges Of the peo-
pie. Among the proudest names Of
history were found those OF the men Of
the South, at the bead Of which, and at
the head Of all mankind, was that Of
George Washington. Grant imperson-
ated the forces which broke the old
South. That the new South should
inherit somewhat of the prejudicss
and habits Of the old must be ex-
pected. A generation much less a
decade, could not change the ideas Of
centuries. Before and during and after
the war parties were sectionally aligned,
but now that slavery had disappeared
parties should be based upon other than
questions between the North and South.
Tie North was ready for this commu-
nication. There never was time
" ben the masses Of the people Eel: less
party spirit than now. They desired
10 see old issues buried, and new, liy-
ing questions OF the future presented
as line Of demarcation between par
ties. Applause.
Speaking Of the conditions TO be
hoped for in the new South by men
who fought on both sides, he said that
first there must be recognized in every
part the equality of rights and priyi-
leges between man and man. The time
was not far distant when this would be.
The blacks and whites were inseparably
mixed all over the South, and the
rights Of both must be respected.
When this should be recognized univer-
sally this great difficulty Of the new
South would be at an end /; but the most
important thing for the new South WAS
diversity Of production. Under the old
institutions she produced cotton, rice,
and tobacco. and much else work was
performed by slaves. Now that all
were free and every man had the right
TO choose his vocation it was found that
there was scattered all over the South
stores Of untold natural wealth, and the
time was already at hand when the new
South would compete with the North in
all the great departments Of production.
The South must work out its own sal
walton. The North has tried in various
ways TO assist in managing local affairs
for the South. lie must confess he had
participated in that kind Of business,
but he was free to say it didn't turn out
very well. Laughter and applause
The North could not rule the South
any more than Great Britain could
rule Ireland. The only thing the
South wanted, and she wanted it badly,
was education. The mandate of the
nation had freed the slaves, and il was
the nations duty to help educate them.
II the House Of Representatives would
second the work done by the Senate,
and give from the ample resources Of
the Government some OF its overlooking
treasure to start the wheels of educi-
ton, we should have taken long step
on the road to prosperity and union in
The South. In conclusion be warmly
commended to the sympathy of his
audience the Memorial University.
Enthnr "a