Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-27
WORDS OF WELCOME.
POSTMASTER DALZELL INTRODUCES
THE GOVERNOR.

The Purpose of the Gathering Not Parti-
san One-Au Old Instinct Answered.
Grnnt's Life n standard Worthy Any
Mans Emulation.
After the letters were read, Congressman
Dalzell said:
have been assigned the pleasant duty OF
bidding you welcome to the Americus board,
and to a participation in the festivities of the
evening Though we meet as Republicans. we
come together for no party purpose. nor in the
interest of any living man or set OF men. We
meet to honor the dead Whatever may be our
individual views and preferences and preju
dices upon any of the many subjects that in;
terest us, we are one tonight in common
sentiment of loyalty to the memory of Grant.
We come. as has been our won't to lay our
green chaplet upon his tomb in token OF cur
belief that because he was brave, sincere, loyal
and wore the white flower Of blameless life,
it is good for us and for our children that we
bear him in perpetual memory: In SO doing.
we do nothing new in kind. We but answer to
an instinct as old as the race, There never has
been time since the morning stars sang to-
gether, and man looked into the eye OF his
fellowman, when men have not worshiped
men. We have no grasp or conception OF great
virtues save as they have been incarnate.
The Reward of HeroIsm.
among all prlmlLlNe peOpleS Tue IeWaIu OI
heroic and praiseworthy lives was a place
among the gods. All religions save our own
have wrapped the dead clay of mortal heroes
IN the habiliments of heaven, and peopled the
ether with deified men. Even a Christian civil
lizaton conceives of the infinite only through
its knowledge of the finite. Divine attributes.
SO far as we know them, are only human virtues
exaggerated.
The Puritan genius of John Milton rising to
poetic conception Of another world, and its
actors, found only the same materials out of
which to fashion characters that were used
centuries before for a like purpose by the
pagan genius of Homer. Instead of deifying
our heroes. we build them statues, and thus,
and by means of celebration of natal days and
other like ceremonies, keep them as perpetual
example before us.
The character of the state" said Wendell
ip Phillips once. lis shown by the character OF
grant," said he. mark how high we stand, and
they educate the future"
We are willing to be measured by our estima-
tion of Grant No man in our history more
truly illustrates the capabilities OF American
manhood, the possibilities of Anne rican citizen
ship, the reward among Americans of faithful
ness and devotion to duty. NO omans life more
than his furnishes a worthy standard for the
young men of each generation, upon whom in
their turn are to devolve the burdens, the re-
sponsibilities and the honors connected with
the administration OF a nation self-governed.
A Right to Be Proud of Him.
As our contribution to the great soldiers of
history whose genius has nodded events, has
made and unnade empires and States, we have
a right to be proud of the silent captain who
led our citizen armies to splendid victories.
But more admirable than the genius of the SOL
der is the simple, unpretentious character Of
the man. Pure of private life, clean and STAIN
less of reputation, lofty of purpose. loyal with
a knights devotion to simple conception of
duty with the courage to dare, and the will
and ability to do, he marched from private sta
tion to the height of a sublime leadership, and
in the blaze of a worlds vision commanded
universal regard.
A company of distinguished gentlemen, some
of whom 1t will be your pleasure and profit to
hear, honor us with their presence and give
dignity to the occasion. To them / convey
your thanks and your most cordial greeting.
As is fitting, the first toast of the evening is
"GIant"
'Our greatest yet with least pretence;
Great in council and great in war,
Foremost captain of his tiine
Rich in saving common sense,
In his simplicity sublime"
And as Is also fitting, we shall hear, in re-
sponse to toast and sentiment, from a soldier |
who followed Grants leadership, and under |
his country's flag. and in its defense, proved |
his patriotism and his valor by the testimony |
Of his blood-a soldier not less distinguished as |
a civilian, wearing the honors of his Common |
James A. Beaver.