The state herald., 1891-10-16
IN MEMORY OF GRANT.
A Splendid Equestrian Statue Of the
Great Genera, Unveiled
In Chicago.

I
In Chicago.
The superb equestrian statue erect
cd by the citizens Of Chicago 10 tho honor
Of the late General U. 8. Grant was nm
yelled on the 7th In tho presence Of an I'M
mense concourso Of people. The cere
monies were at once impressive and inspir-
Ing Business In the city had besn almost
wholly suspended. The banks, exchanges
government and municipal offices were
closed and tho employed classes generally
were given a holiday. The result was an
outpouring OF people from the heart Of the
city, such as has been seldom seen here.
1t was estimated that nearly 100000 peo.
pie were at the park.
The parade was one Of the grandest and
IN many respects ono Of tho most peculiar
this city has ever seen. Some Of the
novel features were the appearance in line
Of the ex. Confederate soldiers resident in
Chicago, members Of the Southern society,
and 1000 uniformed letter carriers. The
military display was tho finest owes wit
messed here, the soldiers Of Fort Sheridan
taking prominent part and attracting
universal attention. General Nelson o.
Miles was the chief marshal.
Sweeping out the famous Lake Shore
drive the procession passed the splendid
residence Of Potter Palmer, whore from
under o canopy voer tho grand entrance,
Mrs. Grant reviewed the concourse.
After the invocation Colonel Edward 8.
Taylor, in IN eloquent address, msde the
presentation in behalf Of the monument
association to the commissioners Of Lin.
coin park In trust for the people Of Chics-
20.
At prcarranged signal Miss Mary
Strong, the daughter Of the late General
William Z. Strong, loosed the cord bind
ing tho bunting that concealed the lS-foot
bronze horse and rider on the great pile Of
stone, ind as every curve Of the noble
steed and soldier stood out and the stern
face Of the dead sprsng Into view tho great
plaudit and salute arose that was greet
ing from the heart
Judge Walter Gresham was the orator
Of the day, and delivered fine tribute to
Grant, the soldier and, citizen. 1t the
course OF his address he said
although educated at West Point he
was not u professional soldier. Instead OF
liking war he abhored 1t as the greatest OF
human calamities, and his temperament In
clined to peace. He engaged In our las,
war because he recognized II was the only
means of maintaining the Union and sccur-
ing unbroken peace. 1t was cause for
which he was willing TO make any sacri-
| flee, even life itself. He could not have
led in any war Of aggression or conquest
for he was the friend and benefactor,
rather than an opDressor or destroyer Of
sense OF duty Or love Of truth and justice
or tarnished his name with acts of cruelty
or tyranny. None welcomed the return OF
peace with more cordiality, and none saw
the quiet disbauding Of his army Of
bronzed and hardened veteran ms md their
resumption OF peaceful pursuits with
emotions OF greater pleasure when the
struggle was over.
"Even with the Confederacy at his feet
Us final testimony OF his skill and PROV
ess as military chieftain, he was not be
trayed ipto anything like cxultation, and
stopped the iubilant firing OF u salutc In
his command as soon as the sound OF the
cannon reached his ears. The glittering
uniform Of the conquered leader OF the
Confederate armies contrastcd strangely
with tho plain and much worn hsbili
mcnts OF tho corquercr but Grant was
more intent upon the results Of the confer
cncc between them than upon his owu
appearance In 1t. And It was not the no
suit Of surrcn ser OF the Confederate
armies and final cessation OF hostilitics
upon the North or upon partisan polite.
that occupied his mind In that supreme
moment he ceased to be the leader Of the
Union army only, and thought and acted
with broad nnd enlightened statesman shi,
md patriotism for the whole reunited
country.
| "Mcn like Grant. who have sprung from
the people, with strong and rcsoluto char
actcr, unspoiled by luxury, clear minded
and level.headed, able TO see men and
things as they really are, undoceivcd by
outward show ard conventionali,y. arc
worth more 10 our Nation thun ali il
mere cunning, self-seeking politicians, its
political theorists or It's plutocrats. In
war and peace these qualities lie at the
foundation OF all true character. A nation
not only needs such men, but they arc In
dispensabl. TO It. In times OF peril 1,
may perish without them
The statue sofa north and south upon ar
immense arch. II is now the most impos
Ing obiec, that tho lake mariner behold,
along tho north shore Of the city. Below
It runs the great north shore seawall aut
drive, which, when completed Will be III,
grandcst embankment In the world.