New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-04
a measure of military greatness that he stands iu
the front rank of the worlds great captains.

a Of military greatness, that he STANDS lu
the front rank of the worlds great captains ,o..
genuine enthusiasm, appeals more 10 our ,entlments
more excitcs our fancy than that Of the wiSaI
Scaon Of eSivary the incarnation OF battle cheer
men ry his acts he reused his troops 10 deeds OF
individual heroism unparalleled IN the history Oh
modern wsnarc tS S All ms the eonsdepee OF caesar
Nearly every great war has given birth to one
great general no other war than our own has pro
duosd three such eminent commanders In thelr
If three soldiers who were heroes. comrades friends.
II is auspicious c4rcums stances whcn peiilhltSS
and are1 influential body as that Of the International
Hpon tSis post dedicated % war is an augury that
the states may be saved without the sword that
henccforth differences In the New World may Des
MnsSs and that congrss ses. bearing in their hands
the olive branch. VIII labor TO avoid wat, which
s nations life and to preserve that peace and good
will which should everywhere prevail among men.
After the band had played the Star-Spangled
Banner" all present once more standing, Colonel
Wilson accepted the gifts of Mr.. Childs in brief
but eloquent and earnest speech, which, in con-
necton with General Porter's, presently gave oc-
casion to General Sherman to say that West Point
could no longer disclaim orators as among her
productions Secretary Proctor was then called
upon by the superintendent, and responded briefly
but happily.
General Sherman. who had been sitting on the
platform, with folded hands and tear-dimmed
eyes, in response to many calls was next intro
duced As the General arose the assemblage broke
forth into wild cheering. He spoke briefly, but
every word he uttered was eagerly caught by his
hearers lie said it was by one of those strangely
appointed accidents OF life that he permitted
to be the sole survivor of what General Porter
had called the great trio of Generals of the late
war 81 was older than Grant or Sheridan"
said he No three men ever lived on this earth
so different from each other as the three men
whose portraits you are looking at. They were
different in all respects save one. and that was
in their devotion 10 their country of whatever
talent they possessed. They were Joined together
in the true-hearted service of their country
General Sherlnans remarks were mainly addressed
TO the cadets, whom he besought to learn the
lessons of loyalty and united effort from those
portraits.
The Rev. Joseph w. Brown, of New-York. then
pronounced the benediction. and the ceremonies
were at end.
The following is President HariisOn's letter TO
Mr. Childs, expressing his inability to attend:
Executive Mansion, Washington. sept. 80, 1859.
George W. Childs, Esq, Philadelphia.
My Dear Sir: ! am just in receipt OF your kind IN
ytapn 10 attend the exercises at West Point on the
3D. proXimO, in connection with the presentation by
sherman and sheridan.
Let me assure You that decline the invitation with
az acceptance impossible. The observation by the
cadets of the portraits Of these great captains and
patriots cannot fall TO be source Of inspiration and
encouragement. Very sincerely yours,
BENJAMIN HARRISON.