The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-06-11
(,IIET()N FORGE VIRGINIA., THURSDAY JUNE H. 1891.
IN MEMORY OF GEN. GRANT.

IN MEMORY OF GEN. GRANT.
On Saturday last, the day set apart
for the floral decoration of the graves OF
Federal soldiers throughout the coun
| try was iinposingly observed in New
| York. AT the grave of General Grant
at Riverside Park, New York, Hon Jno
| s, Wise, of Virginia. was the selected
orator A large number of persons were
present, and Mr. Wise spoke as follows;
In this tomb lies one whose great qualities of
head ana heart, whose bravery, whose sinlplic-
ity, whose magnanimitys whose patience, whose
steadfastness of purpose, whose loyalty to every
obligation, whose capacity for administration in
the highest Offices in the world, military and
civic, have placed his name among the most
remarkable men VINO have ever lived.
The theatre OF his career was only the United
States of America; the most dramatic episodes
of his life We're in his character as leader of one
Of the armies OF his divided people. Yet, even
on that narrow field, and under those restrict
ing conditions, heso bore himself that the whole
world watched him, and when his work was
finished, proclaimed him to be of the stamp OF
t.tc rarely uHN0iCpetli OF d great
ness, blended with sueii qualities OF n anhood as
entitled him to be held up as an example of the
world.
The world How vast the term. How selfish,
and how busy with their own concerns are the
far-off millions OF other nations. How unim-
portant their struggles seem to the things on
which our thoughts and energies are bent How
unknown to us are the names of their leaders,
How uBnteresting as rule, are to Them
Many OF our so called great are never heard
of beyond the limits of narrow land, and
are, indeed, soon forgotten, even by ourselves
When the cold. selfish world-the world which
is moved by no local sentiment or passion--pro-
claims the greatness of man, the verdict car
rias within Itself, conviction of it's Justice It is
no Judgment upon a cause; it cares nothing for
the particular controversy, but it means that in
the man himself, the world has seen that touch
of nature, which makes the whole world KIM
ana hailed his preeminent qualities of manhood
as emitting him to the admiration of his race.
Charlatans may deceive State or even
continent, but the impostor has never lived who
could delude world. Its verdict is above pref,
udice. Its vision is unclouded by local influence.
Its Judgment is infailibte.
The man is surely great whose fame is world
wide,
And such was Ulysses S. Grant.
There is today Arab stroking his steed I'M
der shady palms by tie solitary fountain, re-
fleeing the greatness Of Grant There are
gentle Japanese, reading in theis swn language
the story of his life. with wont and admira-
ton. There are American In .3lis, crouching
by desert TRES pc5urins TO themselves in ruGs
imagination the sort of man IL vas. There are
Egyptians floating on the Nile dreaming of
Grant aud Vicksburg, and the far of Misssis-
There n Russians wifi na urO nd
minds, struggling TO reconcile the strength and
tenderness. the power and mercy to them so
strangely blended IN his great character. There
are Frenchmen learning pertinacity There are
Spaniards and Italians on whom his forgiven
ness and magnaninity Will not be lost.
Hislife and character are known to the farth-
est bounds Of fame. And in the wide world
there is not one man OF Celtic on Anglo Saxon
blood who Is not lissisito nos.st himself Sc that
Captain OF the Jsion.
Men viii model their characters upon this
ideal when are dead and forgotten.
BY the memory of his indomitable pluck col
umns will surge forward to desperate assault in
centuries to come.
Mankind viii be stronger by emulating his
endurance andfortitude war viii be less brutal,
victory less arrogant. defeat less bitter, and
human nature more gentle by the conspicuous
ness OF his moderation his magnanimity, his
Kindness to his foes and his yearning longing
when past for fraternity and peace.
Such was the man whose memory we COM
memorate this day.
We know his history and we know his worth.
We actors in The great passion play in
which he emerged from obscurity to become
the central figure of the greatest drama of our
day.
We saw him. man that he was. take sides in
the hour of discord, and rise until he was chief
partisan in sectional strife.
We saw him, on the instant OF restored peace
transformed as it WERE to become champion of
forgetfulness. advocate of mutual forgiveness,
and counsellor of restored fraternity,
We saw him in the hour of his strength.
We watched and pitied him in the hour of his
weakness until his patient, painful death.
And now we standing by his tomb after
full time for reflection upon what he was
Some of us were soldiers in his army
To such would not venture to picture what
they must feel beside his grave.
Some OF US were followers of his great antago
mist.
Time was when he was our chief enemy.
Time was When he was our victorious adver
sary.
When? Why? How? 1t profits not here to
recount.
1t is true that cynic history tells us the van
pushed are not, as rule the magnanimoas.
Yet this say, with perfect confidence that it
is true.
Between Grant and the Confederate soldier
even in time Of war, there was ever a feeling of
mutual respect and much that was akin to
kindness.
Towards Grant for @entleness and magma
nimity which touched them inexpressibly, there
went forth from the hearts of the soldiers of the
Army of Northern Virginia, even at the hour of
their surrender to him, feeling which they en-
tertained towards no other Federal commander.
Thenceforth there sprung up and grew be
tween them and him a kindness which grew and
waxed stronger as tie years rolled Oh, until,
when he died, his coffin bore as many flowers of
the South of the North. Every State of the
Union stood around his bier. and the old Con-
federate veteran had feeling al his heart such
as he had not known since he stacked arms at
Appomattox, or wept at the tidings that Lee
was dead.
1t is no disparagement of the other Federal
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
vote of Virginia caused him as much genuine
qualification as any incident of his presidential
campaign.
He delighted to display genuine friendship
toward every Southern soldier who would give
him OPPORTUNITY
Politics took such shape, in the years succeed
ing the war, that Grant was opposed politically
by the great mass OF Confederate soldiers.
Other Federal commanders We're candidates
for Federal Office. TO such political support
was given, accompanied for the time being, by
moreor less enthusiasm. But at no time and to
officer of the Federal armies has the heart OF
Lees veterans ever warmed for none have
their tears been shed for him at whose tomb
we stand assembled.
Yes, my countrymen, strife and bitterness
have passed away. Here stand we, loving
brethren, about Grants tomb-membefs of a
happy, reunited. prosperous country.
How much he did to bring about this fraternal
nj loyal feeling all men know.
Your presence here is natural Your invita-
ton tc us to join you has touched us more than
dare express. 1t proves that his great exam
fl,o