Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-27
GRANT AN AMERICAN.
GOVERNOR Beavers TRIBUTE TO THE
SOLDIER STATESMAN.

What Grant Stood for the Mnn of To-
Day-Constant Need of Such au Example
for Young Men-On, Who Met His
Opportunities.
Governor Beaver, when he arose, found il
necessary to stand silent awhile until the
assembly had paid to him its tribute of
generous applause. Then he read his ad.
dress, as follows:
We bow before the majesty of great name
We revere an impressive memory. But mere
name wins scanty courtesy from the American
public, and the memory must be more than a
shadow to merit the reverence of the present
day. And so, Mr.. Chairman, when you mention
Grant in this presence recognize that the
name stands for something-for a breadth of
character, for height of achievement, and for
a wealth of resources which has received the
homage of the world-you recall a memory
which grows as the years grow. and which
challenges more and more the admiration of
mankind.
1t is not my purpose to analyze the character,
or to recount the achievements, or to summa-
rize the sterling qualities of the man whose
memory we honor by this anniversary banquet
A hundred biographers have done this in
way which makes Grants life and character
more familiar to us than our own. Rather let
me speak of a very few things in which Grant
stood for the man of to-day, and from which
we may possibly gather something of inspira-
ton and help for the present and time to
come.
Our lives are singular mixture of emporium
lty and effort, of open doors and occupancy. We
have little to do with the opportunities; it is
not ours to open the doors When the oppor
tunities are presented, however it is ours to
make the most of them; when the doors are
open it is ours to enter in and possess them.
Regrets When Too Late.
Our wisdom consists in seeing when our op-
portunities come to us. and recognizing the
open door when it is before us. 1t is vain to
regret the opportunity when it is past 1t is
folly to embrace it before it is presented. We
cannot enter the door before it is open, it can
not be forced after it is shut You may call
these opportunities luck; you may call
them fate, you may call them Provi-
dence-the orderings of higher power.
Call them what you will, the fact is. they are
independent of u.s. outside of and beyond
us. The man is wise who has the ken and the
will to recognize and use his opportunities
when they come. This we call success. IT /
study Grants life to any purpose it Is summed
up in two main characteristics: Patience to
wair; determination to do. He waited for his op-
portunities, did not seek them in the sense of
being mnatient to find them. did not anticipate
them, did not force them. When they came he
was ready: he knew they had come, he en-
braced them, he met all requirements, and the
result was the success which he achieved. the
great name which we worship and the immortal
memory which the world reveres.
Opportunities for usefulness and fame have
not entirely passed away. Ours may not come
to US In camp and court They may not offer
to us the lead of mighty armies. the chance for
great victories or the achievement of brilliant
successes which startle the world They come
to us nevertheless, to each in his time and
place. Well for US and well for the world, if
well equipped. knowing what is req uired of us,
and able to fill the requirements of our day,
we can embrace our opportunities and leave
the world our debtor
An illustration Presented.
Let me illustrate: Time. the present, year of
our Lord 1880 Place, the House of Repre- enta-
tives of the Congress of the U nited States.
DramatIs persona. the presiding officer of the
House, clerks, pages, etc. an the Representa-
tives of the sovereign people of the United
States. All are present or accounted for.
The play Is the great fundamental question
of popular government-the right of the ma
jority TO rule. The presiding officer is met with
the strange paradox of ''corporeal presence"
and parliamentary absence" of the minority.
They are present for the purpose of demanding
a vote; they are self-asserted absentees when
the vote is taken. Here is an opportunity
The presiding officer is equal to the emergency
He counts a quorum, he declares the result
and popular government has won. He Is here
tonight, your honored guest, the Speaker of
the House of Representatives. For . brief day
the minority protest, but now the precedent 10