Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-04-28
LIVING In MEMORY.
GRANTS NAME AND DEEDS THE SUB
JEcT OF euLoGY.

His birthday Anniversary Fifty Common
GRATED and His Services EloquentIy Re
counted--Conkiing's Vacant Seat at tn,
banquet Board Sad Reminder-A No
table Remark by IngersolI.
New York April GA banquet wa,
given at Delmonicos last night to commem
ornte the birth of Gen Grant The gather,
ing was composed of bankers, artists, sol
diers, journalists, lawyers, statesmen, rail
| road magnates and merchants Gen Sher.
man presided Instead of the old style OF
long tables Gen. Sherman had the room set
with eight round tables forming diamond,
| in the centre of which was ninth table over
which Logan c. Murray presided. The TIA
| hles were proflsely decorated with flowers,
the seat at Gen. Sherman's table which it
was expected Senator Roscoe Conkling would
| occupy being, of course, vacant, and laurel
| wreath was hung on the back of a chair On
the wall at the rear end of the room was
life-size painting of Gen. Grant, around
which were draped several American flags
The other parts of the room We're literally
covered with flags and bunting.
There was but one regular toast: "The Day
We Celebrate" which was responded to by
the orator of the evening, Chauncey M. De-
pew. Mr.. Depew delivered an eloquent
eulogium on the late general He made no
reference to current political questions After
Mr.. Depew had delivered his Grafton Gen
Sherman called upon any person who chose
TO speak, and as he had "A great variety of in
tellectual lights to choose from the guests
were treated to great feast of wit. Among
those present were Gen. Malone, Of Virginia
Gen. Seward, of Auburn; George W. Childs,
Mayor Hewitt, Cyrus w, Field, Rev. John
Paxton, Gems. Coils, Sharpe, Prior, Fitz
John Porter, Woodford, and U y. Grant,
Jr.
Letters of regret at inability toattend were
read from Senator Evarts, Governor Beaver,
of Pennsylvania. Admiral Porter and others
Gen. Joseph f. Johnston wrote: Sym
pathi2ing earnestly with those who desire to
do honor to the great soldiers memory, it
would crafty me highly to avail myself Of
this invitation, but very much to my regret
my obligations at this time will not allow me
that privilege"
Col. j. $. Mosby's letter was as follows: al
am in receipt of your invitation to a banquet
at DelmOnicOs to celebrate the birthday of
Gen. Grant regret that can not be with
you on the occasion to add my tribute to the
memory of the generous soldier whose vic
tories in peace were no less renowned than in
war. With feelings of pride l remember
that honored him in life and was not one of
those who did not discover his virtues until
he was dead"
Gen. Longstreet wrote from Gainesville,
Ga: al was more indebted to Gen. Grant for
personal kindness than to any friend living
or dead"
Col Fred Grant sent the thanks of the
family in the following note: "Having prom
ised year ago that l would be in Pittsburg
on the eth of this month to attend a banquet
given in honor of Gen. Grants birthday, it is
impossible for me to accept your committees
kind invitation for the same date The
honor thus paid to the memory of Gen.
Grant is deeply appreciated by his family,
who beg that the friends assembled with you
will accept their heartfelt thanks"
President Cleveland sent the following tele-
gram: "All will recall with heartfelt homage
the virtues and achievements of the illustrious
American"
Fitz Hugh Lee wrote citing the utterances
Of both Grant and Lee in favor of peace, and |
said if followed it would assure our prosper
Ous future Letters were also received from |
Gen. Buckner, j. Bancroft Davis, Governor |
Hill, Gen. Sheridan, Senators Sherman and |
I1iscock, and others.
Daring the banquet K. G. Ingersoll was |
oudly called for, and in the course of an elo- |
luent address said the north was as much re-
'ponsible for slavery and the war as the |
outh. The north shared the profits and the |
south got all the disgrace, but we are at last
civilized people, and Grant was foremost in
making us so.
A belated letter from Gen. j. b. Gordon,
If Georgia, was then read, referring to Gen.
irant as sublime and modest" There was
,reat cheering The speaking lasted till long
cast midnight.