, 1888-04-28
GRANTS BIRTHDAY.
Tributes to the Memory of the
Dead Hero.
Grand Banquet Of the Americas
Club of Pittsburg.
Large Gatherings at New York
and Boston.
Honoring Grant.

~, L1Dll Z Nv bCNOLt al
nual dinner of the Americas club Of this
city, in commemoration OF the birthday of
Gen. Grant, was given this evening"
Among the guests were Governor Beaver,
Senator Sherman, Benz. Harrison Of Ind
lana, Hon. Foster of New York, Hon. j.
Q. New, Col. Fred Grant and Hon. Rich
ard Smith. Ii. Byram of this city re.
sponded to the toast Our absent guests"
In the course of his remarks Byram paid
an eloquent tribute to Roscoe Conkling.
The letters of regret called forth con-
siderable enthusiasm, especially those
from Hon. Simon Cameron, Judge
Gresham, Hon. VIM. Evarts, Gen. Sher
idan and Governor Foraker. A letter
from the late Roscoe Conkling accepting
an invitation to attend the dinner awak-
ened the deepest feeling. Senator Sher
man was next introduced.
In responding to the toast ~. s..
Grant, Senator Sherman reviewed and
euloglzed the brilliant military and heroic
end OF the great general. "As to the
civil life of Gen. Grant" continued the
speaker, Il have always doubted whether
1t would not have been better for him to
have remained a general of the army than
to have undertaken the civil duties of
president. This doubt is not founded
hpOh Whh hO III d. plColuCHb, Dub uDOu
the striking differences in the duties of
the two offices and the training, qualifica-
tions and personal traits demanded for
each. But it is not as a great hero, the
commander of armies, or as president of
the United States that you wish to hear
of Grant. 1t is as a man. [ said that he
was a typical American.
There was no strut, no parade. no i'm
itation of royalty or aristOcracy; no egotis-
teal pretense Of superiority because he
had a great command or a high position.
The most marked characteristic which
chung to him in all periods of his life was
his extreme modesty. lie was always the
same plain, simple, confiding, brave, tena-
clous and generous man in war and in
peace. As the leader of vast armies,
as president of the United
States, as the guest of kings
apd emperors aud in his final
struggle with grim visaged death, the
gentleman you do right to commemorate
his birthday, it was his good fortune to be
the chief instrument Of a divine power to
secure to you and your posterity the
blessings OF a free, strong and united
country. He was heroic to the end aud
you should be equally heroic. in maintain
ing and preserving the rights and priv
ileges and policy for which he contended." "
Tie Keystone State" was responded
to by Governor Beaver. In response to
Party Organization. Hon. j. II. Fisher,
president Of the Republican League of
the United States, reviewed the work of
that body since its organization and its
present status. He said to-day there are
close on to 4, 1000 clubs and 500, 600 mem
bers.
Boston, April 81 The banquet Of
the Massachusetts club, held in honor of
Gen. Grants birthday at the Hotel Ven
dome this evening, drew together a nOta-
bic array Of eminent men. Prominent
among those present were Hon. Hannibal
Hamlin, Gen. Charles Devons, Hon. G..
S. Bartwell of Gen. Grants cabinet, Gov
ernor Ames, Governor LouEsburry of
Connecticut, Governor Davis, Governor
Elect Taft of Rhode Island, Lieutenant
Governor Fuller of Vermont, Hon. A. II.
Rice, Hon. A. A. Raney, Hon. w. w.
Grape and others.
The large banquet hall was deliberately
decorated for the occasion, a life size
bust of Gen. Grant occupying a com
handing position, while at the end of the
main hall was a galaxy of flags with a
gilded eagle, a shield of national colors.
the shield being crossed by a band bear
luS tlG udIuc VI pIdul. llOus ~ W.
Beard presided at the banquet, while seat
ed before him around the tables were up
ward Of 300 gentlemen, many of whom
have received national reputation. Many
eloquent speeches were made.
New YORK, April 27.-In commem-
Grafton of the anniversary of the birthday
of Gen. Grant an elaborate banquet was
given at the Delmonico tonight, and the
most fitting arrangements for the affair
were made by the old comrade of the
dead general and president, Gen. w. 7.
Sherman. About $50 persons were pres
ent, and the walls of the banquet room
were almost concealed with flags and
bunting.
At the head of the room were three oil
paintings, representing the dead soldier in
both his military uniform and in civilian
dress. The seat at Gen. Sherman's table,
which was to nave been occupied by the
late Roscoe CoEkling, was vacant, and on
the chair was hung a heavy wreath of
laural. Chauncey NJ. Depew was the
orator of the evening.
President Cleveland sent the following
telegram:
WASHINGTON, April 27.-To Gen.sW.
z. Sherman: Twill recall with heartfelt
homage the virtues and achievements of
the illustrious American"
WASHINGTON, April 27.-The Repub.
lican league tonight celebrated the birth
day of Gen. Grant at their club house in
Thomas circle.