The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-06-04

Federal Generals 60 say thats IN thls
firm hold upon the affections of his
old antagonists, Grant was alone.
That he knew it, and that it pleased
him, is beyond doubt.
l remember hearing from his own
lips, after his election to his second
term, that the Electoral Vote of Vir-
ginia caused him as much genuine
qualification as any incident of his
Presidential campaign.
lie delighted to display genuine
friendship towards every Southern
Soldier who would give him oppor-
tunity.
Politics took such shape, in the
years succeeding the war, that Grant
was opposed politically by the great
mass of Confederate Soldiers.
Our Federal Commanders were can
didates for Federal office. To such,
political support was given, accom-
panied, for the time being, by more or
less enthusiasm. But at no time, and
to no officer of the. Federal armies has
the heart of Lees Veterans ever warm
ed; for none have their tears been
shed, as for him at whose tomb we
stand as sembled.
Yes, my countrymen, strife and bit
terness have passed away. Here
stand we, loving brethren, about
Grants tomb-members of happy,
reunited, prosperous country.
How much he did, to bring about
this fraternal and loyal feeling, all
men know.
Your presence here is natural.
Your invitation to us to Join you has
touched us more than / dare express.
1t proves that his great example has
brought forth abundant harvest in the
hearts OF his own brave followers.
We come rejoicing at an oppor-
tunity to testify. our respect for the
memory of our great countryman.
We have, it is true, in many a
Southern cemetery, an army of dead
comrades to whose memory and to
whose valor we delight to pay the trib-
ute of loving hearts.
In a quiet chapel, under the shadow
of the Blue Ridge, sleeps one who, in
days gone by, was to our love, to our
hope, and to our idea of patriotic duty,
all that Grant represents to you.
Yet, our hearts are large enough
for both, and when Grant sought
them, he never asked US to forget our
dead.
Our voluntary presence here to
homer the memory of Grant means no
forgettullness OF our dead comrades.
If we came as recreants to them, his
ghost would beckon us away.
On many a we'll contested field,
Grant and Lee, and those who follow
ed them, came to know each other
well, and to feel for each other the re-
spect which every brave man enter
tains for an adversary who has the
courage of his convictions.
All that Grant contended for was
established.
All that Lee maintained failed of
accomplishment.
Every sensible citizen of this Re
public now acquiesces cheerfully in
the result.
It is certain that many thousands of
the Confederate Veterns are today as
affectionately loyal to the Federal
Government, as if the lamental strife
had never been.
We come as men who feel that time
has taught all citizens of this Republic,
that they honor themselves in honor
ing this great American.
Passion has subsidized sufficiently to
let us see him as he was greater than
any part of our divided country-a
patriot whose fame belongs to all his
fellow citizens.
As to our own beloved commander,
it may be that the time will never
WhOD WIZ b1AO
Union cause can reconcile it to their
sense of loyalty to do public honor to
his memory. Far be it from me to
urge that course upon you.
We, who followed him and loved
hina, seek not to share our generations
for his memory with any one who is
unwilling. It may be that his name
and fame Will be left to us as all our
own.
Yet, 1t will be strange, passing
strange; it will reverse all history in
the past if with the American love OF
valor, of honor, of self sacrifice and
humility your grandchildren, when
the bitterness Of our day has been for
gotten, shall deny their share in the
name and fame of him whose sword go
often and gallantly crossed that of
Grant, and never lowered its point to
any foe but him, or yielded sa ye to
the power of overwhelming numbers
and resources-one who, when he
ceased to fight, accepted he result in
and displayed the same
manhood, sincerity and humility
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