New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-28
IN MEMORY OF GR1YT AND CoYKLIYG.
THE AMERIcUs CLUB PAYS TRIBUTE TO BoTn-A
I LETTER FROM THE EX-SENATOR JUST BEFORE


HIS DEATH
Pittsburg, April 27.-The second annual dinner OF
the Americas Club, Of this city, in commemoraon OF
tho birthday Of General Grant, given this evening
at the Monongahela House, covers for 200 being laid.
The dlning-room tastefuy decorated and a large
portrait OF Grant was draped. On tho opposite side
OF the a crayon portrait of Roscoe Conhlng,
which was also heavily draped AS the guests marched
into tho to tho music of tho orchestra Governor
Beaver, Senator sherman, benjamin Harrison, Of
Indiana; j. p. Foster, of New-York; John q. New,
Colonel Fred Grant, Richard Smith, Of Cincinnati and
others escorted to seats at the table in tho centre
of the spacious rooms. The guests were greeted with
enthusiasm, after which prayer was offered by DR..
Leake and dinner served.
After dinner, John Daze, on the part Of the Amerl-
Gus Club extended cordial welcome TO the guests
present He spoke eloquenty OF the services OF Sem
Sherman and his illusions to ex-senator Harrison,
Colonel Fred Grant and Others greeted with cheers
II. Il. Byram, of this city, was then introduced and
responded TO Our Absent Guests1 In tho course Of
his remarks, Mr.. Byram said
There is one who might have been hero tonight but
has forever departed from among us In whose
fitting that this club which he honored with his
ndonce esteem and through whom he first broke the
silence years and gave expression to his unaleed and
unaerablo adhesion 10 the accepted truths OF the Repub
lcan party, should pay tribute OF respect Here,
present absent the name OF Roscoe Conklng
has been held IN love and veneration Although gone
from all activities OF life he yet speaks to US from
pictured egy and is entitled TO such welcome at my
hand without breach Of honor may mako tender
Of In eulogy might the alphabet Of adjectives,
but let It suffice say OF him said many years
ago OF one less worthy by whose words ndeble
lie was dignity and height Of honor the high i'm
pera type OF this carths glory We greet him tonight
Let understands the spirit in which Republi
canism accepts him among It's priests and prophets
Letters Of regret then read These called forth
considerable enthusiasm especially those from Simon
Cameron Judge Gresham, William M. Eyarts, Cen
eral Sheridan and Governor Foraker. A letter from
Roscoe Conkling, accepting an invitation TO attend
the dinner, awakened the deepest feeling
Senator Sherman responded to the toast "Grant'
He said in part:
Not only win the image Of Grant, great military
hero of the war; rise higher higher the roll Of fame
as time goes on but the object the Its motive and
aim the intense perpetuate the Union which
guided the counses and inspired the hearts OF our loyal
people, will become manifest 80 that all classes OF
people whether children of the North or South OF Federal
or Confederate, OF white black win speak OF 1t and
think Of It. not Us the War OF the Rebellion, but as the
War for the Union and Of Grant as the preseryer as
Washington was the founder, of our country.
AS to the civil life OF General Grant, have always
doubted whether it would been better for him 10
have remained General Of the Army during his life rather
than undertaken the civil duties OF President OF
the United States This doubt is not founded SO much
upon what he did President, but upon the striking
differences in the duties the Offices and the train
ing qualifications and personal traits demanded for each
But whether this view is correct or not the earnest de-
sire OF the people OF the United States was that Grant
should be rewarded with the highest honor in their gift
And this feeling shared by many Confederates' who
were touched by forbearance Of General Grant
in arranging the terms OF the surrender
The keystone State' was responded to by Gov
ernor James A. Beaver, who spoke at length OF the
fealty of Pennsylvania TO Grant as expressed by a
majority of over 1900 in 1879. In response 70
q Party Organlzatlon7 ]. p. Foster, Of New-fork,
president Of the Republican League Of the United
States, said that since last December lis CLUBS had
nearly 500 in Illinois, 142 in Nebraska, $50 In Mlchl-
gan 600 In Indiana 300 in Wisconsin, $50 In Pennsyl
vania, 200 in New-YOrk and 100 each In New-Jersey
and Connecticut To-day" said he, there are close
on TO 1000 clubs and 500 600 members organized as