New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-31
At GRANTS TOMB.
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY UNITED.
U. S. GRANT POST AND THE NETWORK CON
FEpERArE VETERANS CAMP TAKE


PART IN THE EXERCISES.
The exercises at the tomb OF General Grant were
rendered even impressive than usual by the
resence NJ the New-York Camp OF Veterans Of the
Confederate Army. throng at Riverside Park was
not as large last year, no doubt Owing 10 u'e
threatening weather in the forenoon AS late as
O'Clock a mist stlll hung over the river, but py
O'Clock, the hour when the ceremonies began the ios
had lifted and all signs Of storm had disappeared
The tomb had been neatly decorated by the U. S.
Grant Post There was floral arch over the entrance
bearing the legend Let Us Have Peace On the
gates hung wreath Of roses, the tribute OF Preslden
Harrison There was a design OF crossed hags from
Meade Post and another design In which was wrought
the flag of China which bore the card OF shen Woon'
the Chinese Consul in this city. The Loyal Legion
sent a pillow of Immorteles bearing a floral mono
gram Of their order. There were numerous smaller
designs and mingled with them were tropical plants
supplied by the Park Commissioners
The ferryboat wlnona, conveying the members OF
U. s. Grant Post and their guests. the veterans Oh
the G. S. A. appeared In the river opposite the tomo
Shortly after O'Clock the music of the bands play
ing dlrge was heard as the column moved aons
the winding road 10 the summit Of the HILL The
Grant Post escorted their guests past the tomb to the
benches beneath the platform where they were assigned
to the section nearest the entrance to the vault
The Confederates were led by their commander, A.
G. Dickinson. Captain Alfred Poindexter carried inc
National
Tbeopblus steele The right guidon was in the hands
Of DR.. W. H. May, and the left in those Of Captain
Dixon Among the Confederate veterans following In
the ranks were Edward owen, stephen W. Jones, j.
D. Hardy DR.. J. J. Rivera, 3. b. Paddock j. NJ
Womack, J. J. Googan, j. E. Graybil, W. h. Pelroe'
J. L. De Trevtle, w. W. Tayeure, DR.. W. NJ. Boone,
j. o. Shorter, L. thinner, Joseph Norcom, W. r. Hay
den, r. E. Freeman, A. VI. Davis, Z. L. Crawford
John Farley j. II. Francis, and about forty others.
tHav hats 0f
gray trousers but there was no uniformity OF dress
As the head of the Confederate column approached
the gates of the vault Commander Dickinson, turning,
suddenly raised his hat and every Confederate with
bending, uncovered head passed the tomb and the
platform TO the seats assigned them The spectacle
was thrilling and the spectators who had up to this
time remained seated, arose TO their feet.
Just previous TO the arrival Of the veterans the
orator of the day. John S. WISE had been escorted to
the platform. He had hardly taken his seat when
a man of compact figure and serious face, covered
with a full beard, assembled the steps, and advancing
toward Mr.. Wise introduced as U. S. Grant. jr.
The two shook hands warmly, chatted tor few
minutes pleasantly when Mr.. Grant retired from the
platform to house near by, from which, with men,
bers OF II family, he surveyed tho unobserved by
the crowd.
Grouped around Mr.. Wise on the platform were Com
mander Willis Mcdonald, of the U. S. Grant Post
Past Commanders George H. Price, George J. Col
Inns and J. p. Howatt; Senior ViceCommander Enoch
Rutzer, Junior Vice Commander S. y. Kneeland, Dr.
F. W. Topham, post surgeon; Adjutant F. 5. CLARK
OuaItermaster S. II. Thankenberg and Major Chapel,
grand marshal of the parade. On the arrival OF the
Confederates Commander Dickinson John ]. Garnet,
Color Bearer Poindexter and Camp FlagBe Steele
also took seats the platform.
The exercises were opened by the band playing and
the audience singing Z" Nearer Ny God TO Thee" The
ritual was then read by Commander Mcdonald, inter,
spersed by prayer the Rev. t. p Frost, all original
poem by Edwin shannon and the hymns OF the Dudley
Connected with the strewing Of the flowers read
by the officer of the day, John G. Noonan;
Past Commander knight made the address, miro
ducng the orator of the day, and his remarks were
conspicuous for expressions of good will for the guests
On rising Mr.. Wise was received with great cheer
ing. lie spoke without any notes and with great cor
TS s,S Ss sentiments As his S
hesated. once or twice, in referring TO the oe ad
pointed with outstretched arm TO the tomb There ere
were moments when tears were afSy yo vss In e
In this tomb lies whose great qualities OF head
heart whose bravery whose simplicity whose mag
nanmiy whose patience whose seadfasnes oil purpose
whose loyalty every obligation, have placed his name
as among the most remarkable who have lived
The theatre his only the United States Of
America most dramatic episodes OF his life were in
his character leader OF Of the armies OF his divided
people Yet even that field and under those
world watched him. and. when his work finished
claimed him be OF the stamp OF true greatness rarely
developed and greatness blended with such qualities
NJ manhood as entitled him be held up example 10
the world
The man is surely great whose fame is worldw
And such was Ulysses s. Gront Such was the
man whose memory we commemorate this day
We know his history and we know his worth
we are actors in the great passion play in which he
emerged from obscurty become the central figure Of
| the greatest drama OF day. We saw him. that
no was take sides In the hour OF discord and rise unit
he was chief partisan in sectional strife. We saw him.
on the instant restored peace transformed as IL Il
become champion OF fOrgetulness advocate OF mutua
forgiveness counsellor of restored fraternity. W.
saw him IN the hour OF his strength we watched and
| pted him in the hour OF his weakness until hi,
| patlent, painful death Between Grant and the Con
federate soldier even in time OF war there was eve
feeling OF mutual respect and much that was akin Z
kindness. Toward Grant for geneness and magnanimi.y
which touched them nexpessbly there went forth from
ths hearts the soldiers Of the Army Of Northern Nir
gnia Of their surrender 70 him feeling
which they entertained toward other Federal com
| maDder.
Yos my countrymen strife and bitterness have passed