The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-28
GRANTS BIRTHDAY.

CHANTS BlRTHDAY.
Speeches by Senators Brown and Sherman,
Representative Long and Others.
WASHINGTON, April 27.-The sixty-fourth
birthday of General Grant was celebrated this
evening in the Metropolitan Church, this city,
at which General Grant, when President, was
der the auspices of the Grant Memorial Univer-
sity, OF Athens, Tenn. the purpose being to make
known the works and objects Of the institution,
to the support Of which the hero Of Appomattox
was the first cash subscriber. and in aid Of which
he lent the influence of his name and the encour-
agement Of his word and example. Speakers of
epoinence took part in the proceedings, and an
audience comprising distinguished legislators,
diplomates and soldiers filled every seat. Chief
justice Waite presided. The proceedings began
with prayer by Bishop Andrews, of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church.
To Senator Brown, of Georgia, was assigned
the honor OF giving life sketch of General
Grant. He enlarged upon the generosity and
kindness Of General Grant toward the con-
quered after the surrender of General Les. OF
Grants presidential career, the orator said all
would admit that he made some mistakes; but
ali would concede that his administration was
characterized by many strong points and
much practical good sense When the preju-
impartial history would do full justice to Grant
and his administration AS military man he
was one OF the most remarkable known TO his
tory. When the passions kindled by the war
shall have passed away, and those who took part
In the struggle on either side shall have gone to
their reward. succeeding generations of America
will delight to honor the great military chieftaius
of American history, the confederate r. E. Lee,
and the great Union hero, u S. Grant, to whom
Lee surrendered
To ka1 $av&
Grant and the New South, a theme which, he
said, was altogether too broad for the limited
time in which he must discuss it. He spoke of
the new South as one Of the mysteries OF the
than one of realization. The old South was an
olgarchy. in which one-third of the population
were slaves, deprived Of the advan-
tages absolutely indispensable to civiliza-
tion, while one-fourth Of the population were
trained and disciplined for the highest duties of
manhood. He compared the South to the
olgarchies of Rome and Greece at periods Of
their histories, and her leaders to the Barons OF
Rupnymsde, who. when they met to frame the
Magma Charta, looked out very we'll for their own
privileges against the King but cared little for
the privileges of the people. Among the proud
est names of history were found those of the
South, at the head of which. and
at the head Of all mankind, was that of
the forces which broke the old South.
A generation, much less decade, could not
change the ideas of centuries. Before, during
and after the war parties were sectionally
aligned; but. now that slavery has disappeared,
parties should be based upon other than qnes-
ticsk kSetween ethe North and the South. The
North was ready for this consummation. There
never was time when the masses of the
They desired to see see old issues buried
and new living questions Of the future presented
in line Of demarkation between parties. [Ap-
plause Speaking of the conditions to be hoped
n
both Sides he said that first there must be recog
nized in every part the equality of rights and
privileges between man and man. The time
was not far distant when this would be- Blacks
and whites were inserarably mixed all over the
South, and the rights of both must be respected
When this should be recognized universally
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 not much else. The work
was performed by slaves. Now that all were
free, and every man had a right to choose his
vocation, it was found that there were 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 ont its own salvation. The North
had tried very hard, had tried In various ways, to
assist in managing local affairs for the South
and he must confess he had participated In that
kind of business, but he was free to say it did
not turn out yerv well. Laughter and applause.
If the House of Representatives would second
the work done by the Senate, and give from
the ample resources Of the government
some of its overfowing treasury to
start the wheels of education, we should
have taken a long step on the road to prosperity
and union in the South. In conclusion, he
warmly commended to the sympathy of his audi
fence the memorial university.
Senator Evarts spoke of General Grants
lection by George Peabody as one of the direct
ors of his university, and, although associated
with him on the board, were those who had at
tanned prominence as scholars, lawyers and in
other walks Of life, Grant the soldier and Presi-
dent. was the most modest of that body, and was
the equal of any of them.
Dr. Spence. president of the Grant Memorial
University, read address. giving history of
the growth of the institution since its establish
ment.
The president of the meeting announced that
he had received a letter from General Logan, re-
gretting his inability to attend on account Of
sickness, and that Generals Burdette and Neg
ley, who were to deliver addresses. respectively,
on "Grant and the Grand Army" and Grant
and the Volunteer Soldiers" had been called out
of the city.
Representative Long, of Massachusetts spoke
of Grant Citizen" and was followed by
Dr. j. +. Newman, who related several pathetic
incidents of the Generals last days. Ee read
the following telegram he had received from Col.
Fred Grants Our circle is smaller than it was
year ago; but those who remain appreciate the
remembrance of the separated one by his friends
in Washington"