Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-24


| closely with the per-
sonality of that great hero of the war is certain
to prove of more than ordinary interest to
every man who shared with him in the hard
ships and the dangers of that dark period of
the countrys history. And there is every
reason to suppose that during the great en-
campment of the Grand Army few will miss
the opportunity to enjoy the little peep into
the history of bygone days that is contained In
| this remarkable collection.
Occupying the prominent position that he
did not only during the war, but up to the very
day of his death, it is easy to understand that
Gen. Grant had an excellent chance to gather
together most interesting, as well as valuable
collection of articles of all sorts and from all
sections of the world. 1t is a matter for general
congratulation that this collection has fallen
into the possession of the government and so
Is certain to be kept intact for all time.
| PRESENTED BY MRS. GRANT.
| In 1886 the Grant relics, as this collection is
now generally known, was presented to the
United States by Mrs. Grant as a monument to
her illustrious husband 1t was afterward
| deposited in the National Museum and there 1t
will probably remain for all time. or at any
rate until time shall have completed its de-
structive work. Several handsome and capacious
cases have been placed on the left-hand side
Of the main entrance to the museum building,
and within these are deposited the relics in
such way that they can be readily seen and
studied and they are all properly and fully
| indexed they offer most valuable object
lesson in history. The collection is a largo
| one numbering it does upward Of 800
different articles, and besides having an
\ immense historical yalue the collection has
very considerable intrinsic worth. On his
famous tour of the world that ended with his
arrival in San Francisco in the early iall of
1879 Gen. Grant the recipient Of many
handsome testimonials. Kings and princes
| had We'd with each other in the magnifcence
of their presents. and in many of the countries
| that he visited the freedom OF the leading
cities rendered TO him in caske.s of prec-
| ious metal, and in many cases these are richly
| jeweled. All these are in the collection, and
| are placed side by side with the worn and
battered army saddle that he used throughout
| the entire war. and the simple match box that
he carried for years and that still contains
| few unused matches. Here are all his COM
missions ranged in order from the parchment
| that made him lieutenant to his commission
| as general of the United States service and the
| certificate of his election as President Of the
| United States.
| HOW HE PAID HIS DEBT.
The way in which this interesting collection
came into the possession Of the government
is of itself an interesting piece OF history. Just
| before the failure OF the New York banking
firm Of which Gen. Grants son was a member
and of which he himself was silent partner
and before it was realized in what desperate
straits the firm was, the opinion WAS held that
| if a large sum of money could be raised at once
the ruin Of the bank might be averted. To this
end Gen. Grant went to the late Mr. W. H.
| Vanderbilt and from him secured a large
| amount said to have been about $50. 900. II
| was too late. however, and, as every one knows,
the bunk was swept away and with it practi-
caiiy all OF the generals property as well. Gen.
| Grant to make good as far as he could the loan
made him by Mr.. Vanderbilt turned over to
| him his valuable collection. After Gen. Grants
! death Mrs. Vanderbilt returned the collection
| to Mrs. Grant and she in turn presented it to
the National Museum in this city, knowing
| well that there was no other place where it
| could tie so appropriately preserved. There is
now no danger OF its being broken up and Its
| value as u whole destroyed.
| SWORDS AND MEMENroEs.
Occupying prominent position as a matter
OF course in a collection of this sort is a COM
plete set of the swords that were presented to
Gen. Grant at various times, we'll as those
that he carried throughout the war. There
are the regulation shoulder straps that we're
attached to his uniforms as he rose steadily to
the highest rank in the army, worn and dulled
a BIT, perhaps. but more preciou, to the
veterans of the Grand Army OF the Republic
than polished gold. Not far from these is a
string Of fifteen gilt coat buttons that were cut
from Gen. Grants uniforms during the war by
I Ms Grant meneutOcS his MT
battles. One OF the handsomest of the swords
Is the one that was presented to Grant when he
was lieutenant general by his friends i'll New
York AZ the great fair he!d in that city In aid
OF the United States sanitary commission in
April. 1854 The blade OF the sword Is etched
Oh gold ground TO within about foot of the
tip. the design on the front including soldier
bearing colors. military trophies and delicate
traccry. The pommel Is spirited piece OF
sculpture in guided silver. the helmeted head
OF trawforGs statue Of Freedom. her helmet
decorated with five pointed stars two of when
are set with ruDles. two with diamond and
the central one with a sapphire. The grip Is
OF oxidzed silver with bas reliefs and the
scabDard Is OF sterling silver.
| ADDRESS WELCOME.
mere enumeration of the many addresses
OF welcome that were presented to Gen Gran.
during the progress of his trip around the
world would make too long list. bat from the
standpoint OF historical interest they are
I invaluable. Many of them were given in
handsome cases the most interesting. ii not
the most valuable, being the one he received
ut S;ratford-on-Avon. 1t is made OF wood from
the mulberry ,Se planted by Shakespeare at
New Place. The center of the lid is a carved
raised panel bearing Shakespeares coat OF
arEis, wreathed with two small branches of
mulberry bearing leaves and fruit
The casket III which was presented the
honorary freedom of the city OF London, the
! highest honor that can be conferred by this
ancient and honorable cooperation, is a massive
gold box. One panel contains Il view OF the
Capitol. and on the right and left the
generals monogram and the arms of the lord
mayor. On the other side is view of the
entrauce to the Guildhall. At the end are two
figures, also OF gold. representing the city of
London aud the republic of the United States.
At the corners double columns. wreathed
with corn and cotton. and on the cover a
: cornucopia. as a compliment to the fertility
ana prosperity OF the United States. The cover
Is surmounted bs the OF the city OF
London and in the decorations are interviewer
the rose. the shamrock and the thistle. The
casket Is supported by American eagles In gold,
. standing Oh velvet plInth decorated with
stars and stripes.
One OF the most unique OF all the written
> testimonials that Gen. Grant received was an
original address from Kuroda kiyotakn, minis
ter of colonization of Japan in which he
he MT nj N haa