Sacramento daily record-union., 1889-10-04

of the State. and like the men in the Roman
phalanx of old, stood shoulder to shoulder and
linked their shields against common foe.
In this life little is learned from precept,
something from experience. much from exam
pie. 1t is said that for three hundred years after
Thermopyla every school child in Greece was
required each day to repeat from memory the
names of the three hundred immortal heroes
who fell in the defense of that pass 1t would
be in itself liberal education to the future de-
tenders of the Republic who bear diplomas
from this historic spot, where patriotism early
found a stronghold and treasons plots were
baffied, if they could daily utter the names and
contemplate the exalted characters of the trio
whose faces will henceforth look down upon
them from the artists canvas. AS we gaze upon
the features of each one of them we may fit
tingly apply the words of Milton:
"Thither shall all the valiant youth resort,
And from his memory infame their breasts
To matchless valor."
The lmperishable scroll on which the record
of their deeds is written has been securely
lodged in the highest niche of Fames temple
No one can pluck single laurel from their
brow; no man can lessen the measure of their
renowr.
1t is an auspicious circumstance which per-
mits these ceremonies to take place before so
distinguished and influential body as that of
the International American Congress. The
presence of its delegates upon this post dedicated
TO war is an augury that States may be saved
without the sword: that henceforth our differ
ences in the New World may be settled without
iSeOItiuS W lut ldsl Oh Kings, anu
that congresses, bearing in their hands the olive
branch, will labor to avoid war, which waste a
nations substance: to foster commerce, which
is nations life and to preserve that peace and
goodwill which everywhere prevail amongst
men.
Three years ago there was selected as Presi-
dent OF your Board OF Visitors citizen OF Phila-
delphia, whose heart is as large as his purse and
whose generosity dwells in land which knows
no frontier-George w. Childs His thoughtful
ness prompted his liberality to procure for the
Academy these gifts which are to grace its
walls.
The likeness of General Grant was executed
by Mrs. Darragh, of Philadelphia. 1t was made
from photograph taken by Gutekunst, of that
city, 10 1865, which Mrs. Grant and number of
the Generals friends considered the best of the
many pictures taken of him Just after the war
Representing him as he appeared nearly thirty
years ago, his features do not seem SO familiar
to those who saw him only in later years. Soon
after this portrait had been placed upon the
walls of what is known as Grant Hall, Mr.
Childs requested General Sherman and General
Sheridan TO permit him to have their likenesses
prepared, in order that he might present them
10 the Military Academy, and have them hung
beside the illustrious chiettain who had passed
from earth. Mrs. Darragh was commissioned to
execute both or these portraits. In the prepara-
tion OF General Sherman's picture her chief
guide was the famous portrait of him painted
by Huntington fifteen years ago, and her aim
was to represent the General as of that period
General Sheridan sat for his portrait, and the
same artist painted it from life representing the
General as he appeared but a short time before
his lamented death.
1t now becomes nv agreeable duty in the
name of Mr.. Childs, TO present to YOU as Super
intendent of the Military Academy, the portraits
OF three of her sons who have borne the highest
military titles, as an offering from an un-
titled citizen, who, in his living, has verified
the adage that the post of honor is the private
station.
Eis good works have made him honored in
other lands as well as this, where his name is
held in grateful recollection by the many who
have been the recipients of his practical philan-
thropy. and not only the graduates of West
Point. but the people at large, will, I am sure,
make grateful acknowledgment of the means
he has taken, in those testimonials, to manifest
his appreciation of the Military Academy and
the three distinguished sons she trained to bat
tie 1or the integrity of our common country.
Superintendent Wilson, in short ad-
dress, accepted the portraits, and the Secre-
tary of War made few remarks.
General Sherman, who during all these
ceremonies had sat on the platform with
folded hands and tear-dimmed and down
cast eyes, in response to many calls was
next introduced. As the General arose the
assemblage broke forth into wild cheering.
The old warriors remarks were few, but
every word uttered was eagerly caught by
his hearers.
He said it was by one of those strange
appointed accidents of life that he was per-
mitted to be the sole survivor OF what Gem
eral Porter had termed the great trio of
Generals of the late war" II was older
than Grant or Sheridan. No three men
ever lived On this earth so different from
each other as the three men whose por-
traits you are looking at. They were diff
ferent in all respects, save one, and that
was in the devotion to their country. Of
whatever talents they possessed they were
joined together in the true-hearted service
of their country"
His remarks were mainly addressed to
the cadets, advising them to love and serve
their country, obey the laws and those in
authority over them. By the country, he
political party.
This evening reception was held at
the headquarters of Colonel Wilson, Super
intendent of West Point, in honor of the
International Delegates.