Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1886-04-28
mEmoRIAL sEsvIOEs
ON the Anniversary OF General
Grants birth.


WAsHIseToE, April 27th.-The sixty
fourth birthday of General Grant was
celebrated this evening at the Metro
politan Church, in this city, at which
General Grant when President was 3
constant attendant. The meeting was
held under the auspices Of the Grant
Memorial University Of Athens. Ten
nessee, the purpose being TO make
known the works and objects Of the in
stitution, to the support Of which the
hero OF Appomatox was the first cash
subscriber, and in aid Of which he lent
the influence OF his name and the en-
couragement OF his work and example.
Speakers Of eminence took part in
the proceedings and an audience com
prising distinguished legislators, diplo-
mats and soldiers filled every seat.
Chief Justice Waite presided. The
proceedings began with prayer by Bish-
CD Andrews, of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
To Senator Brown, Of Georgia, was as
signed the honor Of giving life sketch
OF General Grant. He enlarged upon
the generosity and kindness Of General
Grant toward the conquered after the
surrender of General Lee; of Grants
presidential career the orator said
all would doubtless admit that
he made some mistakes but
all would concur that his
administration was characterized by
many strong points and much practical
good sense. When the prejudices of
the times should have passed away i'm
partial history would do full justice to
Grant and his administration. As
military man he was one Of the most re-
markable known in history. When the
passions kindlcd by men shall have
passed away, and those who took part
in the struggle on either side shall have
gone TO their reward, succeeding genera
tons of Americans will delight to honor
such great military chieftains Of Ameri-
can history the Confederate Robert Il. Lee
aud the great Union hero, Ulysses s.
Grant, to whom Lee surrendered.
Senator Sherman was allotted % q
text, Grant and the New South" a
theme which, he said, was altogether
too broad for the limited time in which
he must discuss 1t. He spoke Of the
new South as one of the mysteries of
the future--more matter OF hope and
expectation than one OF realization. The
old South was an oligarchy in which
one third of the population were slaves,
deprived Of the advantages absolutely
indispensable to civilization, while one
fourth of the population was admirably
trained and disciplined for the highest
duties Of manhood. He compared the
South to the oligarchies of Rome and
Greece at the periods of their history,
and her leaders TO the barons OF Runy-
mede who, when they met to frame the
Magma Charta, looked out very well
for their own privileges against
the king but cared little for the privi-
legss Of the people. Among the proudest
names Of history were found those Of the
South, at the head Of which, aud at the
head OF all mankind, was that of George
Washington. Grant impersonated the
forces which broke the old South. That
the new South should inherit somewhat
Of the prejudices aud habits Of the old
must be expected. A generation, much
less decade, could not change the ideas
OF centuries. Before. during and after
the war, the parties were sectionally
aligned, but now that slavery had disap-
peared the pa rites should be based upon
other than questions between the
North and South. The North was ready
for their contamination. There never
was a time when the masses of the peo-
pie felt less party spirit than now. They
desired to see the old issues buried and
new and living questions of the future
presented US a line Of demarcation be-
tween the parties. [Applausel Speak
ing Of the conditions he hoped for in
the new south by the mon who fought
ON both sides, he said that first there
must be recognized in every party an
equality OF rights and privileges between
man and man. The time was not far
distant when this would be. Blacks
aud whites were insepsrably mixed all
over the south, and the rights OF both
must be respected. When this
should be recognized universally
this great difficulty of new
south would be at an end.
Senator Evarts spoke Of General
Grants selection by Geo. Peabody IS
one of the Directors of his University,
and although associated with him on the
Board were men who had attained
prominence as scholars, lawyers, and in
other walks Of life. Grant, the soldier
and President, was the most modest OF
that Board and was the equal Of any OF