The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-04-28

New YORK, April 27.-l Special Tho
first stone of the great mausoleum,
which is to perpetuato the memory OF
Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, was laid in River
side Park at . o'clock this afternoon.
President Harrison, in tho presence of
his Cabinet and thousands of citizens
laid tho granite block upon which is to
be built the tomb worthy OF the nation
and the nations hero.
The ceremonies were Impressive and
the weather favored them. Long before
the hour set for the ceremonies the park
presented an animated appearance. AS
early as 10 o'clock the little knoll upon
which tho enduring monument will
stand was surrounded by thousands of
civilians. Hour after hour the great
throns was augmented. IL was peace
ful, orderly, dccorous gathering. The
best people OF the metropolis were cen.
tered around the site OF tho mausoleum
that is to be.
President Harrison arrived at 100
o'clock. He entered tho park and when
tho crowd beheld tho coach the chief
magistrate OF the nation was given an
Grafton. Tho President was accompan-
led by several members of his cabinet.
There WAS no marked martial display
attending tho ceremonies, save tho
presence of sprinkiing hero and there
OF officers OF tho army and navy and
troop y, which accompanied the Presi-
dent to tho park. The whole ceremony.
was civil from every point OF view.
Notable among those who gath cred
around tho bier OF the hero Of Appo-
a t.f,N
Scholicld and Dodge, the quartettc
comprising the only living generals who
were associated with Grant in the great
civil struggle.
Around the space whore the monu-
ment will be reared was arranged the
platform. On this werO gathered the
President Mrs. Grant and family, and
part OF the committeeman through
whose efforts Tho fund was raised. Near
by was another platform which accom-
lnodated 300 members of the loyul
legion.
few minutes before two O'clock tho
United States Marine Band made tho
air resound with the national air "Hail
to the Chief" After the strains had
lied away Rev. DR.. Johnrf1all, OF tho
Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church,
offered up prayer. Then Gen. Horace
ment Association spoke. He said:
I'VE gather here to lay tho corner
stone OF Il templo of tho dead. to cele-
brate an event which will be forever
memorable in history. This day has been
selected for the occasion because it is
the anniversary of the birth of the illus
trious soldier and citizen whose ashes
Will repose within the structure. We
meet hero to perform this ceremony in
the presence of the people who honored
him and the brave men WAC followed
him to victory.
''Although the fund required for tho
completion of this monumental tomb is
large, it was decided TO lay the corner
stone to-day in confident belief that this
patriotic work, once begun, will never
be allowed to stop until completed. The
organization created for the completion
of tho fund proposes to complete it's
labors before next Decoration Day,
May so, SO that whom tho flowers of
spring are laid on yonder casleC it can
bo proclaimed 10 tho world that our debt
has been discharged. When tho struc-
turc shall have reached completion. it's
dome will point the path OF LOYALTY to
children yet unborn. The hallowed
memories which cluster about it will re.
mind us Of the heroic age of the repub-
lie. It's mute elOquence will plead for
equal sacrifice, should war again
threaten the nations life
The blending of its chaste lines and
massive proportions will be typical of
the hero who lies beneath it's granite,
and will recall the childlike simplicity
which was mingled with the majestic
graz deur of his nature. Its crypt will
bold the ashes OF one who had filled
very full the largest measure Of human
greatness and covered the world with
his renown. Here will be cntombcd his
body; his name will be eternally en-
bGmcd in The hearts ofhis conntrymen.
His services will attest his greatness.
lilo did his duty and trusted to his
tory for his need of praise His name
will stand immortal when epitaphs have
vanished utterly and monuments have
crnmbled into dust. Throughout all
ages vessels upon tho noble stream
which flows at the base of his sepu,chre
viii, in passing, sound their chimes in
token OF salute, ami the echo of his guns
OF war Will nave given place to the toll
ing of bells Of peace"
Wen tho speaker concluded the cor
,ier stoue was swung into place and
President Harrison placed the first &C.
ment upon it with 4 trowel mad Of gold.
Cnauncey NJ. Depew then delivered the
Grafton Of The day. He said:
Mr.. President and Fellow. citizens:
The predominant sentiment of General
Grant was his family and his home. AS
son. husband and father, his care and
devotion were Constant and beautiful
While visiting the capitals of tho Old
W'r!d, he had seen the stately mauso.
lenms of their great soldiers or states.
men testing in tho gloom of cathedral
crypts, or the solitude of public places,
far from tho simpler graves OF their kin
Cred nder ST bani,s hn g. u tho N, n g