The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-04-29

ed the figures ''306" A portrait of
Grant stood at the side, and on every
| hand were beautiful flowers.
The speeches we're eloquent reminders
of the days when the friendship of
| Grants staupch friends was tried by the
fire of adversely, and the gathering was
| a notable occa sion.
AN ELOQUENT TRIBUTE.
General George A. Marden, of Lowell,
Mass, who spent Monday in Elktou the
guest of his friend Mr.. Frank Whitney,
delivered an eloquent reply to the toast
| of "Ulysses S. Grant" and aroused great
enthusiasm in its delivery. General
Marden said:
Comrades of the Old Guard: need not
| inquire do you remember this:
and when asked W hat State he halls from,
| Our sole reply shall be,
He halls from AppomattoX
And its famous apple tree"
1t was magnificent exordium, Of a
splendid appeal to a vast assembly on
memorable occasion By peerless orator
for a great man. Aud the first thought
of all here is regret that the matcbless
brain and silver tongue of cur leader
cannot respond to the sentiment which
has been assigned to me.
Conkling is dead. The "Old Guard"
under his lead, was defeated at Chicago
in 1880. Grant is dead. But the cause
which Conkling pleaded with such
marvellous eloquence on that summer
evening, triumphei long before either of
them passed away. 1t was the vindi-
cation of hero against calumny, against
jealousy against spite. 1t was the set
ting right before the people Ct the
relation of their greatest living man to
themselves and to the Government. 1t
was painting the character and services
of the savior of the Republic and his
| claim to be recognized as worthy of
continued confidence and regard, instead
of distrust and obloquy. 1t was an
American Cicero speaking for an Ameri-
can Sylla.
Grant was not nominated, but the
mastery presentation of his service and
character by his devoted friend was
soon accepted by the country as entirely
Just and proper 1t gave the "Old Guard
its solidity and tenacity, and to day our
devotion to our great leader isvindicated
by the verdict OF the civilized world.
And whatever claim to distinction any
man of the 1906" who stood by Grant
at Chicago had ther, or has since attained
he has done nothing more justitiable
or credltable than in the action which
we are now met to commemorate.
Ulysses S. Grant. had thought the
task assigned me in this response was an
arduous and important one. 1t is
neither. The name itself is its own
sufficient response. Though | were to
"speak with the tongues of men and
| of angels, | could not DO 1t that justice
which comes from the consciousness OF
every citizen of our Republic when he
| hears the name of Ulysses 5. Grant.
Time was when this was not so. Ii
was not so az Chicago in 80; it was not
| SO in the country from II to '76. And
| the experience of Grant was the exper-
fence of Washington and of Lincoln. But
| the fires of hate and meanness vanished
| sooner in Grants case than in theirs.
And when he died at Mount AlcGregor,
with that patience which was char
acteristic of the mans whole career-a
patient of suffering SO pathetic and so
persistent-he left no enemy or detractor
| behind
How difficult it was then to make the
people appreciate the malice OF his
| enemies and the Justification OF his
friends was seen nowhere more clearly
than in Massachusetts, State which
ought to have stood in solid phalanx be-
hind him. Her greatest son OF modern
times had early shown a bitter and
unreasonable prejudice against him, aud
and the one blemish on Summers fame
was bis treatment of Grant. IL is logi
cal and proper sequence, an illustration
of the eternal fitness of things" that
nearly every bitter follower of Sumner
in his attacks upon Grant,i now in full
communion with the Democratic party.
But this meeting is not for reviviug old
feuds, or rehearsipg Old quarrels. Nor
is this the time for critical ANALYSIS OF
character or extended eulogy. The
picture that Mr.. Conkling painted with
the few mastery strokes which | have
quoted could not be improved. The
ablest of our orators have added to, but
have not cxcelled it. No honor which
reverence and love could pay to the
memory of the departed hero has been
omitted. Even that hardest OF all
American memorials, a monument, has al
last been provided for. But the highest
glcry of Ulysses s. Grant, like that OF al
! the great and good of human history, II
his place IN the hearts of the people. In
this respect he is supreme above every
name on our roll. Even among those
whom be conquered be to day finds NJ
detractor.
Mr.. Conkling put his character into
five words 1t was 1.-The very genius OF
common sense" This was the character
istlc of his strategy in war, and his statei
l.. manship in peace. Simplicity, honesty
f fidelity, kindness, consideration TO
others, firmness without dogmatism
self confidence without egotism, Infinite
Intermediates were the qualities which
shone in every act and word.
| The sufferiugs of a lingering maiadI
were borne without aurmuring, and tn
added troubles of financial adversely a
: the end of his days, through no fault
: his own, were lamented only on accoun
) of the loved ones dependent on him.