The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-10-04
THREE GENERALS
Ceremonies Attending the Unwilling
of Portraits of Grant, Sher-
idan and Sherman.
An Address by the Only Living Men,
Der OF the Nations Great
Military Trio.
Delegates to the Americas Congress
the Distinguished Guests---Pleased
with the Cadets

WEST PoINT, Oct S.-west Point to-
day was the scene of imposing ceremonies,
which are destined to become memorial in
its annals. The visit of the International
American congress and the unveiling Of
portraits of Grant Sheridan and Sherm an.
presented by Geo. w. Childs, were the
principal features. A special train con-
tanning delegates to the international
American congress arrived about O'Clock.
Carriages awaited the delegates, and they
were driven to the residence of Superin-
tendent Wilson, where distinguished
compAny had assembled to welcome
them The booming OF cannon announced
the arrival at the post OF the distinguished
guests The secretary of war was the first
10 slight from the carriage and step upon
the veranda OF the superintendents quar-
ters. He was warmly greeted by Gen.
Sherman, Gen Horace Proctor. Gen. Van
Vieet Mr.. Geo. W. Childs, Wayne Nc
Veagh and the academic and military staff
of the post The was an Immense ctowd
of spectators coDgreRated under the trees
on the edge OF the plaza. A battalion OF
cadets marched In review before the Wis
itOrs Inc machine-like precision of move
ment and sOldisrly appearance of the
cadets elected from the foreigners many
complimentary remarks. The battalion
marched to Grant hall, the crowd quickly
I fllOwing, I'D in twtnkllng the hail was
jammed " n people A platform had
been erected st the north end of the room
where the portraits of the three great gen
erals. Grant, Sherman and Sheridan, hung
on the wall, each yelled in United States
flag. The exercises were opened with
prayer by the chaplain of the post, Rev.
Dr. POstlethwait The superintendent
then raised his hand; the tap of a drum
followed. the flags fell from the pictures
and they stood revealed in all their beauty
q
played ''l1aii COlsmbi8,' and the audience
sprang to their feet and eheered- Gen
Horace Proctor was then introduced
and made presentation address
in which he eul0giLed the three generals
and the donor CT the pictures. Superin-
tendent Wilson, in = short address, accept
ed the portraits and the secretary OF war
made a few remarks. Gen. Sherman, who
during all these ceremonies had sat on the
platform with folded hands and tear
dimmed aud dOwncast eyes, in response to
many calls was next introduced. As
the general stepped forth the as
semblagU broke forth into wild cheering
The old warriors remarks were few, but
every word uttered was eagerly caught by
his hearers He said IL was by one of those
strange appointed accidents of life that he
was permitted to be the sole survivor of
what Porter sd termed the great trio Of
generals of the late war. 81 was older
than Grant or sheridan. No three men
ever lived on this earth SO different from
each other than the three men whose por-
traits You are 10, king at They were
different in all respects, save devotion
to their country. OF whatever
talents they possessed, they were lO'nd
together in the true hearted q tsrvice of their
country" His remarks were mainly ad'
dressed to the cadets, advising them 10
love and serve their country, obey the laws
of those in authority over them. By the
country be sad he meant the whole coun-
try, no political party.
This evening 8 reception was held at the
quarters nf Col. Wilson in honor of the in
ternatioDal delegates