Omaha daily bee., 1889-10-04
A Memorable Day,


A Memorable Day.
WEST PoINT, N. Y, Oct. 3.-West Point
to-day was the scene OF imposing ceremonies
which are destined to become memorable in
its annals.
The visit Of the international American
congress and the un vailing of the portraits
of Grant, Sherman and Sheridan, presented
10y George w. Childs were the principal fea-
lures The special train containing the del
egates to the International American con-
Rress arrived about o'clock. Carriages
awaited the delegates and they we're
driven to the residence of Superintendent
Wilson, where the distinguished company
HAD assembled to welcome them. The boom
ing of cannon announced the arrival at the
post of the distinguished guests The secre-
Jary of war was the first to alght from the
carriage and step upon the veranda ot the
superintendents quarters. He was warmly
greeted by General Sherman, General Hor-
ace Porter General Van Vliet, Mr.. George
w. Chds, Wayne McVcagh, and the
academic and military staff OF the post
There was an immense crowd of spectators
congregated under the trees on the
edge of the plain. A battal-
lion OF cadets marched in review
cision of movement and the sodierly appear
auce of the cadets elected from the foreign
ers many complimentary remarks. The
battalion marched to Grant hall, the crowd
quickly ana IN u bWlnkllHR Tue
hall was iammed with people, A platform
had been erected at the north end of the
room, where the portraits of the three
great generals, Grant, Sherman and
SseS SsGean hung Hn.ea on sases sas wall s erSe Se
exercises were opened with prayer
by the chaplain of the post, Rev. Mr..
Posthlewaite. The superintendent then
raised his hand, the tap of u drum followed,
the flags fell from the pictures and they
stood revealed in all their beauty The
battalion presented arms, the band played
Hail Columbia and the audience sprang
10 their feet and cheered. General Horace
Porter was then introduced aud made the
presentation address, in which he eulogiZed
the three generals and the donor of the pic
lures.
General Porter said: 1t has been said that
the only representatives of royalty recog-
nized in this land are our merchant princes
We are indebted for the occasion which
brings us together to- day to the princely act
of public spirited and patriotic citizen who
has conferred upon the military academy
souvenirs Of her three most distinguished
graduates whose historic features have been
transferred to canvas by the limner's art
One dwelling in our midst, two dwelling in
our memories One bearing the laurel upon
living brow; two wearing the laurel inter-
twined with the cypress. The history of
sher lives is the most brilliant chapter in the
history of their country. 1t sayors more of
romance than reality; it is more like ia
bled tale of ancient days than the story of
American soldiers of the nineteenth century.
Most OF the conspicuous characters in his
tory have risen to prominence by gradual
steps, but the senior OF the triumvirate,
whose features are recalled to us today,
came before the people with n sudden bound.
Almost tho first signt caught of him was in
the blaze Of his camp fires and the flashes of
his guns those wintry days and nights in
front of DonelsOn. From that time until the
closing triumph ut Appomattox the great cen
tral figure of the war was Ulysses S. Grant.
Ao lisrhf md hnl do tbn nj tfro ront-
i've effects in a picture, so the singu-
lar contrasts, the strange vicisstudes
of his eventful life surround HIM
with an interest which attaches to
obscure lieutenant to the command of tho
veteran armies of the great republic; his
transition from frontier post OF the untrod-
den west to the executive mansion of the
nation; his sitting at one time in little
store in Galena, not even known to the con.
gresham from his district: at another time
striding through the palaces of the old
world with the descendants of line of
kings rising aud standing uncovered in his
presence. These are some of the features of
his marvellous career which appeal to the
imagination, excite mems wonder and fasci-
nate all who make study of his life.
Even the kyalor of his martial deeds was
surpassed by the superb heroism he dis
played when fell disease attacked him, when
the hand which had seized the surrendered
swords of countless thousands was no longer
able to return the pressure of a comrades
grasp, when he met in death the first enemy
TO whom he ever surrendered. But with
him death brought eternal rest and he was
permitted to enjoy what he had pleaded for
in behalf of Others for the Lord had let him
have peace.
Turn we now to Grants immediate success
sor in the office of general-in-chief his illus
trlous lieutenant with whom he divided II
field of military operations which covered
half IA continent. the skillful strategist, the
brilliant writer, the commander whose orders
spoke with the true bluntness of the soldier,
who fought fiom valleys depth TO mountain
height, who marched from inland rivers to
the sea-William II. Sherman.
He has shown himself possessed of the
highest characteristics of the soldier. Bold
in conception, self-reliant. demonstrating by
his acts that "much danger makes great
hearts most resolute, "prOmpt in decision, un-
shrinking under grave responsibilities, fer
tile in resources. quick TO adapt the means at
hand TO the accomp ishment OF an end posse E
ing an intuitive knowledge of topography,
combining the restlessness of Hotspur
with the patience of Fabius, unswerving
In patriotism, OF unimpeachable personal
character, of constitution which enabled
him to undergo every hardship incident to
au active campaign, 1t is no wonder that he
has tllod SO large measure of military
greatness, that he stands IN the front rank
of the worlds great captains.
No name connected with the army inspires
more genuine enthusiasm, appeals more 70
our sentiments or more excites our fancy
/,
Philip II. Sheridan. The personifcation OF
chivalry, the incarnation OF battle; cheering,
threatening, melting, beseeching, inspiri ne
ali men by his acts, he reused his troops Ia
deeds OF Individual herosm unparalleled in
the history of modern warfare, and his un
conquerable columns rushed TO victory with
all the confidence of Ciesar's Tenth Legion.
Generous of his life gifted with the ingenu-
ity of Hannibal, the dash of Murat, the
courage OF Ney, the magnetism of his pres
ence transformed routed squadrons with
charging columns and snatched victory from
defeat. He preferred shot and shell 10 flags
of truce; he would rather lead torlorn hopes
than follow In tho wake of charges.
His standard rose above all others on the
field; wherever blows fell thckest his cres,
was in their midst, despite tho daring valor
of the defense; opposing ranks went down
before the fierceness of his onsets never "a
rise again; he paused not till the fold of his
banners waved above the strongholds he had
wrested from the foe. While his achieve
ments In actual battle eclipse, BY their bril-
liancy, the strategy aud grand tactics EN-
poyed in his campaigns, yet the skill ant
Loldness exhibited in moving large bodies o.
men into position entitle him 10 as much
credit as the marvellous qualities he dis
played Ia the face Of the enemy.
Brave Sheridan Methinks l see YOU
silent clay agaln auickeDed INTO life, once
more riding Rienzl through a fire of hell
leaplng opposing earthworks NJ single