Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-09-19

Garfield colored post the fire department
and other cubs, 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 LOCO chairs had been placed.
Early in the forenoon Mrs. General Mer-
rift Mrs. Colonel Rucker and Lieutenant
Perry, Of the Ninth cavalry, had deco
rated the top of the pedestal with flowers,
q 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 Gem
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 q manner
befitting the illustrious soldier. He con-
cluded with the words: 1.-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 prophet to pre-
dict triumph or leader to direct resistless
ener2fes. 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
nent or prophesied the magnificent destiny OF
profession in early life. He had nc
sympathy with the passions which pre-.
cipitated the war. He had no powerful
friends. He was shy and silent and yet in the
interval between Belmont and Appomattox he
achieved that fame which knows dying His
career was a stately procession Of unbroker
triumphs. He was called to the highest posi-
ton in the Nation. Senator Ingalls, then told
of the removal of the remains of Genera
Grant from Mount McGregor to New York
winding up by saying that the ideas for which
Grant conten ded will extend our Nation north
ward to the frozen zone and southwark to the
canal which will join two oceans; fifty star.
will be upon her flag and 2)0,OOo,O 900 will be IN
der its folds.
General Merritt then introduced Genera
Charles w. Blair, who spoke to the follow
ing effect:
It was reserved for Fort Leavenworth to frs
unvail a permanent memorial to the hero Of tn
war. and as we gaze upon the invincible cap
one argument against instruction and invasion
the brutal but final argument of force. A
the battle of Bulls Run the Government real
izcd the colossal character OF the rebellion
but who would have believed that a maj
whose career was supposed to hav,
ended before middle life was reached woul,
mold armies, organize victory and achieve i'm
pershable renown! And yet this was done il
the case OF Grant. Much learning has bee
displayed in critical analysis OF his militar
genius, but he was the Moses who led u
through the wilderness. Victory marches
with him everywhere. The gratitude of hi
countrymen twice elected him Chief Magistrate
when he went abroad he was the honored guest O
crowned heads and distinguished men. an,
when he returned to our shores 6O,OOO 900 o
people rose up to do him honor: but his modes
demeanor seemed to recognize his American
citizenship as his highest claim to distinction
His last struggle was the most touching of hi
hfe-when he held death at bay until he ha
completed his memoirs in order to provide 10
his family. "
Hon. George R Peck was next intro
ciated orations of the day, the followin,
being . brief synopsis:
We dedicate to-day mere statue to victory
When the sculptor fashioned that august figur
he thought Of burdens borne without complaint
of courage that never faltered. The statue i
Grant, but 1t is more. It will stand Us he did
the type Of heroism, the type of honor, tn
type of serene patience. Something lik
the majestic strength OF the pyramid
was in him. He knew the homespu
word duty. He moved on Donelson in the dea
OF winter and wrested from the enemy its mos
important fortress and an army larger than hi
own He drew the line around vicksburg'
fated garrison until another armv yielded up it
arms. A genius he was not. He was not a
ways true to military rules War as he ur
derstood it was hard, rough blows
the cruelty of battle. In his men
oirs Grant tells us he had httl
taste for military life. How plain and simpl
he was. The feverish visions that disturb tn
souls of many great soldiers never trouble
him. Whatever it meant to others Appomatto
meant only peace to Grant This statue
history in bronze and what is tn
lesson it teachess Grasp the meaning G
the word duty and you have the answer
II is duty that holds systems together and MI
ell space with the melody Of law and order
Here let the statue stand. the tribute Of ger