Evening journal., 1891-04-28

Above was one vast expanse Of blue, a
sky as unsullied as Grants escuteheon.
In the park, all around the tomb, were
assembled the fairest OF New Yorks won.
anhood and the hravest Of her manhood
The Ceremonies.
Fully 10000 persons were massed about
the tomb when the ceremonies opened.
General O. H. T. Collis, chairman OF the
Grant monument executive committee,
explained the nature OF the gathering, and
then turned the exercises over 70 Charles
II. Freeman, department commander, G.
A. r. After Mr.. Freeman's introduction
the Star Spangled Banner was rendered
by the Marine band, and at its conclusion
Rev DIR. Clark Wright invoked blessing
After the prayer General Horace Porter
tho orator Of the day, claimed the atten.
tion Of the assemblage. His address was
frequently punctuated with applause. He
said in part;
General Porter's Speech.
sixty-nine years ago today there was ushered
into the world being who was destined to
stand pre-eminent in the history Of his country,
and whose fame was to reach into the uttermost
parts OF the earth Most Of the conspicuous
characters in history have risen to prominence
by gradual advances, but Ulysses S. Grant
came before the people with a sudden bound.
Almost the first sight caught Of him was In the
blaze Of his camp fires and the flashes Of his
guns those wintry days and nights in front Of
Donelson. From that time until the crowning
triumph Of Appomattox he was leador whose
name was the harbinger OF victory. From the
final sheathing Of his sword till his ashes were
laid to rest in yonder tomb he was the ehief
citizen Of the republic and the great central
figure Of the world.
High on the Honor Roll.
The speaker then reviewed the life Of
General Grant from his start as an obscure
lieutenant till he reached the summit Of
fame. OF his writings he spoke in the
highest terms, aud said his memoirs con-
tanned many chapters as graphic as any
thing that can be found in "Cmsar's Com
mentaries. y OF his administration, which
he began by declaring that he should have
mo policy Of his own TO enforce against
the will Of the people, General Porter said
During 1t reconstruction became an accom-
plished fact and at the close Of his eight years
Of honest, earnest labor he left no unfinished
work to turn over TO his successor. There was
peace within our borders, peace with all the
world, and the name Of America stood higher
on the honor roll Of nations than it had ever
stood before
The general then spoke Of Grants un-
bounded generosity to his friends, his mag
nanimity to his foes, which would be re-
membered as long as manly qualities were
honored, and in conclusion said:
The monumental sepulcher erected here win
be the shrine At which American patriots win
worship Generations yet to come win pause
TO read the inscription on its portals, and the
voices Of grateful people viii ascend from this
consecrated spot as incense rises from holy
places invoking blessings on the memory OF
him who had filed 10 the very fun the largest
measure OF human greatness and covered the
earth with his renswn.
Mrs. Grant Was There.
At the conclusion Of the address, which
occupied over an hour, Mr. Freeman, Mrs.
Grant, Mrs Nellie Grant Sartoris, and her
two daughters, entered the hollow square
in the tomb and the ceremony OF cutting
the first sod was gone through with. Mr..
Freeman gracefully oficiated while the
band played America Just as he re
moved the turf, a soldier who stood on an
elevated mound waved his hand, and the
big guns on the United States steamer
Yantic, which lay in the Hudson, beIched
forth a salute. This ended the exercises.
Among those present were Secretary
Noble, ex-Mayor Grace, Controller NY
&A9f ZcAbACA A<tAAOtt E. tobtl0A "A d. LIE
Frece, George NJ. Pullman, Minister Ro
nero, General Howard, Admiral Braine
and General Daniel K. Sickles
His birthday Remembered.
The birthday of General Ulysses S. Grant
was celebrated last night by the members
of the Grant Birthday Dinner association
at Delmonico's. The decorations in the
dining hall were very fine and included
life size portraits Of Generals Grant, Sher-
man and Sheridan and President Lincoln.
Among those present were Hon. Joseph
H. Choate, who presided; William NJ
kyarts, who responded to the toast, 1.-THE
Day We Celebrate;" Rear Admiral Braine
General Howard, Hon. w j. Wallace
Hon. John w. Noble, General Wager
Swayne, John A Sleicher. Colonel Calvin
S. Brice, General George NJ. Dodge,
Stephen b. Elkins, General f. c. Barlow,
Hon 7. g. Platt, J. II. Starin, Cornelius
n. Bliss, John L Davenport, General c.
II. T. Coils, General George II. Sharpe,