The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1891-06-05

Charlatans may deceive state or even
@ continent, but the impostor has never
lived who could delude q world, It's
verdict is above prejudice. Its vision is
unclouded by local influence. Its judge-
ment is infallible. The man is surely
such was Ulysses S. Grant.
Mankind will be stronger, by emulat-
ing his endurance and fortitude; war will
be less brutal; victory lest arrogant; defeat
less bitter, and human nature more gentle,
by the conspca9nsnnssSs Of his moderation
and his yearning longing when war was
past for fraternity and peace.
Such was the man whose memory we
commemorate this day. We know his
history and we know his worth. We saw
him, man that he was, take sides in the
chief partisan in sectional strife.
We saw him on the instant of restored
peace, transformed rs it were, to become
champion of forgetfulness, advocate 6f
mutual forgiveness aud counselor of
restored fraternity.
We saw him in the hour of his strength.
We watched and piticd him in the hour of
his weakness, until his patient, painful
death. And now we are standing by his
tomb, after full time for reflection on
what he WAS.
Some of us were soldiers in his army.
To such, will not venture to picture what
they must feel beside his grave. Some of
US were followers of his great antagonist.
Time was, when he was our chief enemy.
Time was, when he was our victorious
adversary. When. Why? How9 1t
profits not here to recount.
1t is true that cynic history tells us the
vanquished are not, as u rule, the mag
naniinous. Yet, this l say, with perfect
confidence that it is true: Between Grant
and Confederate soldiers, even in time of
war, there wos ever feeling of mutual
respect, and much that was akin to kind
ness Towards Grant, for gentleness and
p,agnamity which touched them inexpres-
sibly, there went forth from the hearts of
the soldiers of the Army of Northern
Virginia, even at the hour of their sur
render to him, o feeling which they en-
tertained towards no other Federal COM
mander. Thenceforth, there sprung up
and grew between them and him, kind
ness which grew and waxed stronger as
the years rolled on, until, when he died,
his coffin bore as many flowers of the
Union stood around his bier, and the old
Confederate veteran had feeling at his
heart such as he had not known since ho
stacked arms at Appomattox, or wept at
the tidings that Lee was dead:
1t is no disparagement of the other fed
eral generals to say that, in this firm hold
upon the affections Of his old antagonists,
Grant was alone That he knew it, and
that it pleased him, is beyond doubt. I
remember hearing from his own lips, after
his election to his second term, that the
electoral vote of Virginia caused him as
of his presidential campaign He de-
lighted to display genuine friendship to-
wards every southern soldier who would
give him opportunity.
Politics took such shape, in the years
succeeding. the war;. that Grant was op-
federate soldiers. Other federal command
ers were candidates for federal Office. 10
such, political support was given, ACCOM-
panied, for the time being. by more OF less
enthusiasm. But ut no time, and to no
officer of the federal armies has the heart
OF Lees veterans ever warmed; for none
have their tears been shed, as for him at
whose tomb we stand assembled.
Yes, my countrymen, strife and bitter
ness have passed away. Here stand we,
loving brethren, about Grants tomb
members of a happy, reunited, prosperous
country.
How much he did, to bring about this
fraternal and loyal feeling, all men know,
Your presence here is natural. Your in
vitation to us to join you has touched us
more than dare express 1t proves that
abundant harvest in the hearts Of his own
brave followers. We come rejoicing ut an
opportunity to testify our respect for the
memory of our great co,,ntryman.
In q quiet chapel, under the shadow Of
@ S fe sases ove sas ope IN and a
our idea of patriotic duty, ell thnt Grant
represents to you.
Yet, our hearts are large enough 70,
both, and when Grant sought them, be
never asked us to forget our dead. Oul
memory Of Grant means no forgetfulness
| to our dead comrades. If we c0mc as
recrcants to them, his ghost would beckou
| us away.
On MANY well contested field, Grant
and Lee, and those who followed them
for each other the respect which evers