Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-19
THE GRANT MONUMENT.

Unwilling of the Statue at Fort Leaven-
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 cubs, with their different bands,
took part-they all took train for Fort
Leavenworth.
At Fort Lsavenworth the sentries paced
back and forth about the monument and
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 Lieutenant
Perry, of the Ninth cavalry, had deco
rated the top of the pedestal with flowers,
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 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
BETTING the illustrious soldier. He con-
cluded with the words: THE monument
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 a prophet to pre-
dict triumph or leader to direct resistless
ener.ies 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
sympathy with the passions which pre-
cipitated the war. He had no powerful
friends He was shy and silent and yet in the
interv al between Belmont and Appomattox he
achieved that fame which knows no dying His
career was stately procession Of unbroken
triumphs He was called to the highest posi-
ton in the Nation. Senator Ingalls, then told
OF the removal OF the remains OF General
Grant from Mount McGrecor to New York,
Grant conten ded will extend our Nation north
ward to the frozen zone and southwark to the
canal which Will join two oceans; fifty stars
will be upon her flag and O,O0J, 900 will oe IN
der its folds.
General Merr t. then introduced General
Charles W. Blair, who spoke to the follow
ing effect:
1t was reserved for Fort Leavenworth to first
unvail permanent memorial to the hero Of the
war, and as We gaze upon the invincible cap
tain we realize that every government has but
one argument against insurrection and invasion
the brutal but final argument of force. At
the battle Of Bulls Run the Government real
lied the colossal character OF the rebellion,
but who would have believed that a man
whose career was supposed 10 have
ended before middle life was reached would
mold armies. organize victory and achieve i'm
perishable renown: And yet this was done in
The case OF Grant. Much learning has been
displayed in critical analysis. OF his military
genius, but he was the Noses who led US
through the wilderness. Eictcry marched
with him everywhere. The gratitude of his
twice elected him Chief Magistrate,
when he went abroad he was the honored guest of
,rowned heads and distinguished men. and
when he returned to our shOtes 6],OO0OOl OF
people rose up to do him honor! but his modest
lemeanor seemed TO recognize his American
as his highest claim to distinction
His last struggle was the most touching of his
he held death at bay until he had
completed his memoirs in order to provide for
lis family.
Hon. George r Peck was next intro
iuced and made one of the most appre-
,iated orations of the day, the following
Jeing brief synopsis:
We dedicate to-day no mere statue 10 victory |
When the sculptor fashioned that august figure !
lie thought of burdens borne without complaint, |
f courage that never faltered. The statue is
irant, but il is more. 1t will stand rs he did. |
he type of heroism. the type of honor, the |
ype Of serene patience. Something like /
he majestic strength of the pyramids !
7as in him He knew the homespun |
-Ord- duty. He moved on DOnelson in the dead |
( winter and wrested from the enemy its most |
Important fortress and an army larger than his /
lted garrison until another army yielded up its |
rms. genius he was not He was not al
avs true to military rules. War as he IN
er>tOod It was hard, rough blows
he cruelty of battle. In his mem
rs Grant tells US he had little
Este for military life. How plain and simple
e was. The feverish visions that disturb the
)uls of many great soldiers never troubled
i'm. Whatever il meant TO others Appomattox
eant only peace TO Grant. This statue is
STORY in bronze and what is the
sson it teaches: Grasp the meaning OF
lie word duty and you have the answer
is duty that holds systems together and fills
I space with the melody Of law and order
ere let the statue stand. the tribute OF gen.
Gus hearts to a high ideal. We will come
it'll reverent steps to look upon it and will
sar above the noise OF faction the solemn
ords Of the old commander, Let US have
ace"
After the conclusion of Mr.. Peck's ad-
'ts: General Merritt proposed three
leers for the artist Of the statue-who
as absent unfortunately-whic were
ven with hearty good will.