Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1891-06-18
Depew on Grant.

The following are theclosing remarks
of Chauncy Nj. Depew at the unveiling
OF the Grant monument at Galena, ILL.,:
''He has been called silent man,
and yet have often heard him hold
little company in delighted attention
for hours by the charm of his CONVEX
sation. His simple narrative was
graphic, his discussions lucid and sub
tie flashes of humor sparkled through
his talk. He said that when he spoke
to an audience his knees knocked to-
gether, and this was evident in his
manner and address, but the speech
was often a welcome message to the
country. AS he was speaking one
evening with considerable embarrass-
ment he pointed to a speaker who had
Just entered the hall and said: IF ]
could stand in his shoes and he in
mine, how much happier for me and
better for you Who of this genera
ton could fill that great place? As
the years increase events crowd upon
each other with such volume that the
lesser ones are crushed out of memory.
Most regulations are forgotten by the
succeeding generation and few survive
century. In our thousandth year
as n nation the only statesmen or sol
diers OF our first hundred years whose
names will decorate the celebration
will be Washington and Hamilton for
the beginning, Webster for the middle
4 4 n 4
close.
"Gen. Grant was the product and
representative OF the best element OF
our social life. Home and its associa-
tions have been the training and in
spiration OF our greatest and noblest
men. They have come from the class
which had neither poverty nor riches,
and which was compelled to work for
the support OF the family and the edu-
cation OF the children. Its members
are God-fearing men and loving, self
sacrificing women. 1t gave us Lincoln
from the farm, Garfield from the tow
path, Sherman from the crowded house
OF the brave and struggling widow,
| Sheridan from the humble cottage, and
Grant from the home of the country
storekeeper of the Ohio wilderness
| These men never lost their sympathy
| with every human lot and aspiration
or the homely simplicity of their early
| conditions and training. Grant was
clerk i'm the custom house and presi-
dent OF the United States, a lieutenant
i'm Mexico and commander-in-chie OF
the armies of the Union numbering
| over a million men, the unknown jun
ior in a tanners firm at Galena and
the guest of emperors and kings. But
the memory of the church OF his
mother was ever visible i'm his reverent
regard for her teachings. The applause
of soldiers for their commander, OF
partisans for their chief leader and OF
the world for one of it's most illustri-
Gus heroes was grateful, but the sweet
est music for him was within the family
circle, in the loving companionship OF
his wife and children and the prattle
of his grandchildren. Though he re-
ceived such honor and recognition
he was always, whether i'm the presence
of royalty or of the people, a modest
: typical American citizen.
"Through the verses of great poets
runs a familiar strain, through the
works OF great composers an oft-re
peated tune and through the speeche:
OF great orators a recurring and char
, acteristic thought. These are tn,
, germs which exhibit the leading force:
of their minds. During the war Ipro
pose to move Immediately upon you
works. Unconditional surrender.
Il shall take no backward step :
e propose to fight it out on this line if il
e takes all summer are the beacon
: lights OF the plans and strategy o
l Grant the soldier. At Appomato,
| The war is over The rebels are ou
a countrymen again; on his bed o
I agony and death at Mount McGregor
$ when his power of speech was gone
D writing to n confederate general by hi
e bedside, Much as suffer, do it witt
: pleasure if by that suffering can be &C
t complished the union OF my country,
e are the indices of the labors, the aspiI
;. lations and the prayer of Grant tn
statesman and the patriot