The Iola register., 1889-09-20
THE GRANT MONUMENT.

Unvailing Of the Statue at Fort Lesven-
worth - Orations BY seuator ingalls,,
General Blair and George r. Peck.
LEAvENwoRrH, Kan. Sept 16.-At noon
on Saturday all business houses were
closed and the city was in holiday attire.
flags and streamers showing everywhere,
with pictures of Grant here and there.
As early as seven o'clock the veterans
from the soldiers home began pouring
into the city with many members of the
G. A. R posts from neighboring towns.
After a parade herein which four troops
of United States cavalry. a great palace
wagon bearing manned veterans, the
Garfield colored post, the fire department
and other clubs, with their different bands,
took part-they all took train for Fort
Leavenworth.
At Fort Leavenworth the sentries paced
back and forth about the monument and
a large platform built just south of it
where nearly loo chairs had been placed
Early in the forenoon Mrs. General Mer-
ritt. Mrs. Colonel Rucker and Leutena ant
Perry, Of the Ninth cavalry, had deco
rated the top of the pedestal with flow ers,
a wreath extending around the entire
edge.
Upon the large platform were Generals
Merritt and McCook. each accompanied
by his entire staff. Governor Humphrey
and all the State officials. Senator Ingalls,
and many men distinguished in the mill.
tary and political history Of the country,
besides a large number of ladies.
At two O'Clock General Merritt arose
and introduced Rev. E. F. Holland, chap.
lain of the G. A. R. for the department of
Kansas, who offered prayer Then Gen.
eral Merritt, as president of the Grant
Monument Association, welcomed the
people in a short speech, in which he said
the artist had done his part in a manner
befitting the illustrious soldier. He con-
cluded with the words: "The m onument
will now be unvailed" Then the flag
which covered the monument dropped and
the great General stood revealed.
Senator Ingalls, was then introduced
and spoke substantially as follows:
The onward march of humanity has never
been delayed for the want Of prophet to pre-
diet a triumph or a leader to direct resistless
enersies. When the crisis comes the man ap-
pears. 1t is the opportunity that makes the
General. When the late contest was begun
there was no one who anticipated the achieve
ment or prophesied the magnificent destiny Of
Grant He had abandoned the military
profession in early life. He had no
synPatny win the passions witch Pre,
cipitated the war. he nad no powerful
1riehus. ne was shS anu silent anu yet III tne
inter al petWeen beiuloht anu Appohattok ne
achieved that fame which knows no dying His
career was a stately procession Of unbroken
triumphs. He was called to the highest posi-
tion in the Nation. Senator ingalls, then told
of the removal OF the remains OF General
Grant from Mount McGrecor to New York,
winding up py saving tnat the IDEAS 1or whlch
Grant contended VIII extend our Nation north
ward to the frozen zone and southward TO the
canal which Will Join Two oceans; hfty stars
Will be upon her nag and 2U,O0o,0oo VIII be IN
der its folds.
General Merit then introduced General
Charles w. bialr' VINO spoke 10 the Hollow
ing erect:
1t was reserved for Fort Leavenworth 10 hrst
uhVali a permanent memorial 10 the nero Oh the
war and as we gaze upon the invinciole cap
tam we realize that every government mas out
one argument against lhsurrectlon ana inVasioh
tine brutal put hnal arRuiheht Oh iorce. Al
the oattle OF Buil nun tne Government real
1zed the colossal character OF the repeillon
out VINO would nave oeheVed that man
whose career was supposed 10 nave
ended before middle life was reached would
mold armies. organize victory and achieve i'm
the case OF Grant Much learning mas oeen
displayed IN critical analysis OF MS military
genius, but he was the Moses VINO LED us
through the wilderness. victory marcned
win MIN everywhere Inc tratituue OF MS
countrymen twice elected MIN Chlei MAGISTRATE !,
when he went abroad he was the honored guesto OF
crowned heads ana distinguished men. ana
when ne returned 10 our shores o.vooo OF
people rose up TO do MIN honor put ms modest
demeanor seemed TO recognize MS American
citlzenship as MS hlghest claim 10 ul-tinction.
HIS last struggle was 'he most touchlng OF MS
hfe-when ne held death at Day until ne nad
completed MS memoirs IN order 10 provide lor
MS 1amlly.
Hon. George X Peck was next intro
duced and made one OF the most appre-
ciated oratOns of the day. the following
being brief sypopsis:
We dedicate TODAY no mere statue 10 victory.
When the sculptor fashioned that august figure
he Thought of burdens borne without complaint.
Of courage that never faltered. The statue is
Grant, but it is more. 1t will stand as he did
the type of heroism, the type Of honor, the
type OF serene patience. something nse
word dutr ue yroved on DoneISon in the dead