The Republican journal., 1892-05-12
The Nations Tribute.
LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE OF THE
MONUMENT TO THE HERO OF APPOMAT-

| LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE OF THE
| MONUMENT TO THE HERO OF APPOMAT-
| OK.
The corner stone of the Nations monu-
ment to General Grant in Riverside park,
New Y ork, was laid April n, with becom-
ing ceremonies. Rev. Dr. Hall delivered
the prayer and benediction. The presi-
dent of the Grant Monument association,
General Horace Porter, then delivered an
address detailing in brief the doings of the
association and their status since the in
ception of the project. The event Of the
day was the next on the program, namely,
the laying of the corner stone by President
Harrison. After putting some mortar
around the stone with a gold trowel that
Superintendent Brady had made for the
occasion, the stone was lowered into posi-
ton. The corner stone box which was made
OF copper, was then filled with the relics
which were to be buried init. They were:
Constitution of the United States, Declar-
alton of Independence, Articles of Con
federation, the Bible, Memoirs of General
Grant, Memorial Day pamphlet, May 30
and 81, 1856, a copy of Mayor Grants
proclamation regarding the Grant monu-
ment, a new American flag, metals and
coins from the United States mint and va
rious illustrated and daily papers. Prcsi-
dent Harrison then briefly addressed the
assembage. after which the band played
a selection of national airs. Chauncey NJ.
Depew then delivered an eloquent and
patriotic address. The ceremony was
marked as being without pomp or osten-
tation. in fact such a one as the deceased
General would have desired.
Following are extracts from Mr.. De
pews address: "The predominant senti-
ment OF Gen. Grant was his family and
his home. AS son, husband and father,
his care and devotion were constant and
beautiful While sitting the capitals of
the old world he ha, seen the stately maui
soleums of their great soldiers, or states
men, resting in the gloom Of cathedral
crypts, or the solitude of public places,
far from the simpler graves Of their kin
sive tomb which inclosc> the remains Of
the Iron Duke. lie was Impressed by the
grandeur of the Temple Of the Invalides.
the superb monument which France erect
ed. with SO much pride and tenderness.
over the resting place of Napoleon.
'The perpetual ceremonial, the inhll-
man coldncss of these splendid tributes
chilled and repealed him. He had shrunk
all his life from display, and he desired to
escape it after death. TO lie in the church
yard where slept his father and mother
would have been more in accord with his
mind. But he appreciated that his coun-
trymen had a claim upon his memory and
the lessons of his life and fame. eknew
that where he was buried there they would
build shrine for the study and inspira-
ton of coming generations.
lie selected New York because it was
the metropolis of the continent and the
capital of the country, but he made one
condition. No spot must be chosen
which did not permit his wife to be by
his side at the resurrection. She had been
the love Of his youth, the companion and
contidant of his maturer years. She had
made the humble cottage at G2lena. the
camp, the White House, and the stately
city residence, all equally his home. lie
would have No launument, however grand.
which separated him from her durin. the
Hnnumbered years ot the hereafter. At
Arlington. he would haze lain among the
soldiers who had followed and revered
their great commanders hat at Riverside
he will await the last trump With tie part
ler ot his life and the motheroi his child
rem.
New York. in accepting this hcquest
OF General Grant, has assumed Il sacred
trust. pom n" municipality and its cit
HenS WAS ever den olyed Il more solemn lr-
". Let the monument which will rise
upon this corner stone be worthy of the
magnitude OF the metropolis and the
grandeur Of the subject. General Grant
needs NO stately shaft ar massive pile to
perpt tnate his memory. The Republic is
his monument. AMI its history during what
must always be its most critical and in
terr>tin@ period Will be the story OF his
deeds But this memorial will continue
for generations an object lesson. teaching
the inr>timable value of the Federal Tn
ion and lhe limit'css range Of American
1 opportunity.