The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-05-04
IN MEMORY OF GRANT.
Luther Latin Mills Eloquent Tribute to
the Great Soldier.

LatAer Latin Mills Eloquent Tribute to
the Great Soldier.
The second celebration to commence
rate the birthday anniversary of Cen
Ulysses S. Grant took place at Galena,
Ill. The public schools were closed
and the DAY in all respects was observed
as a holiday Business houses and pri-
vate residences were decorated with
the national colors, flags foated from
public buildings, and many portraits Of
Grant were placed in the windows and
framed in red, white and blue. The or
ator of the day was Luther Latin
Mills, the noted Chicago lawyer. who
in his happiest vein paid eloquent trib-
ute to the memory of the great sol
der. The following are the more inn
pressive portions of his speech:
This day the country bows before the name
and deeds Of Grant rendering the homage OF
the greatest Of all the nations OF time 70 one
who, In its supreme peril did more than any
other man to prevent the tragedy ofits des true
ton BY the triumphant conduct OF just war,
who, rising from the ordinary life Of the Amer
lean citizen-an unexpected, q surprise-be-
came the incarnation of the nations desperate
defense and for four long years swung his
sword from the Mississippi to the sea. from
Belmont TO Appomattox. and only shesthed IL
when at last came the countrys triumph and
the salvation Of the republic.
I'm the temple OF our history We bow before
three supreme personalities. each type OF
lofty life and labor-Was hington, the father OF
his country: Lincoln. who in civic station
guarded the nation in the perils OF treason and
proclaimed freedom TO q race; Grant the pa
triot who led his countrymen to battle and in
war crushed rebellion forever and preserved
The integrity OF our institutions. Each did his
glorious duty. Together they stand-the illus
trious American triumvirste. In the calendar
of the nation for each there is day OF eelebra-
ton snd tributes and affection
And this day is Grants
'Hither we come, many from distant places,
70 this beautiful city which once claimed him
for her own and gave him TO the world and
time, and in a splendid congregation think and
speak OF his valor, wisdom. and fidelity. Here
are the aged who knew;this hero when as yet he
had not heard his call nor found his opportu-
nity men and women who were the friends OF
this great man; here are the young, TO whom
his life in Galena is now but cherished trsdt-
ton: mere men women and children, citizens
and patriots Of all callings and stations, unite
TO honor his name; and here stands a company
OF gray-haired men. in whose solemn presence
II becometh every American TO bow his head on
a day like this men from the wars, lame and
limping and SCARED in battles for the country
before whose fearful visions old memories pass
The desperate strife is raging again, above
II all the nations flag is flying, and. as OF yore.
they once again behold the form and features
OF their leader. serene amid alarms and
silent in the sublimity of his conscious power
their old commander. Soldiers of the Grand
ARMY of the Republic. cheers and all hail to
youi Your presence here is istory In life;
your faces shall be your inspiration; your
sAffN farr Arrf,f 1na
Ulysses 5. Grant was one Of the people; in
blood and ancestry a simple American He had
no prestige from the past; no title nor station
in his lineage Born in the state OF Ohio seven
ty- two years ago this day, for him his youth
was developed in that school OF rugged train
ing out of which have come our greatest men
1t was a life OF simplicity. of work, Of the alb
sence of luxuries, of few books well learned, Of
the influences of religion Educated IN the
United States Military academy, from which
he was graduated in the year ls43, he acquired
a foundation of knowledge in the profession of
arms upon which afterwards his wonderful
abilities and characteristics erected military
successes in comparison with which the cam
paigns and victories of generals in ancient or
modern days appear diminished He responded
to the call of the country and fought in the bat
ties OF the Mexican war. That being concluded,
he remained in the military service OF the ma
ton. for much Of the time on the Pacific coast,
until the year 1854 when he retired TO civil life,
beginning his career as q civilian in the city OF
St Louis, and continuing it after May, 1850, in
the city OF Gslena; and here were the begin
nings OF his marvellous career. Here, In tbs
spring Of 1851, opened for him, and was gladly
entered. the opportunity Of his life.
Then began the life work Of Ulysses 8.
Grant Then under God. he commenced his
long career through campaigns. battles vicissi-
tudss, difficulties immeasursble; patient, per-
tn fr0r tha
TO the east; from the Mississippi TO Virginia;
from Galena to Washington His progress was
not slow, yet IL was sure. He was colonel In
June, brigsdier general in August He fought
at Belmont brave battle In November. in
February captured Fort Henry, on the Tennes-
see and within ten days thereafter wrote TO the
commander OF Fort Donelson: No terms ex-
cept unconditional and immediate surrender can
be accepted propose TO move Immediately
upon your works, And thereupon he received
the surrender OF fifteen thousand men with
sixty-aye cannon Then he was made msjor-
general Then were fought the bloody battles
Of Shiloh and Corinth: and on the Ath OF July,
1863 Grant captured Vicksburg on the basis OF
unconditional surrender with thirty-two thou.
sand prisoners, one hundred and sixty-two
cannon and sixty thousand muskets. and
opened the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.
What need is there 10 now review thu
mighty work and triumph Of this silent soldier
Of the west, 10 paint again the glorious pic
lures Of his valor and the courage OF his men
In those dark days there was one CLEAN OF
constant light and that was flashed from the
sword Of Grant At times when the northern
heart always true to the country, was weary
with waiting and the atmosphere was murky
with disbursement there would come the
mighty reverberations of Grants artillery
srousing the nation War TO him was no play. BE
was the commander who believed that war was
zr,it tha-n AZ
gave us.victories. In 1884 made lieutenant gen.
eral Of the federal forces, he planned that wide
and comprehensive strategy which embraced
| the operations OF all the armies acting In one
| great scheme Fierce battles were fought
long sieges were made: with unrelenting per
| sisteuce Grants final campaign was pursued
| and at the end of his four years efforts. con
tinuing since he began his service, the greatest
war OF modern times was ended. the greatest
rebellion against o human government was
| Crushed, the greatest OF nations was saved
What caused so great victoryi Wha'
! were The powerful elements that conspired tc
| produce the result! The willing self-sacrince
| OF the northern people, their devotion 70 the
| idea Of national unity, the magnificent courage
| OF the soldiers in all the armies Of the north
the civic leadership of Lincoln. and the states
| men around him and the constant inspiration
/ of his grand character, all the splendid gen
| erals who led the soldiers-Sherman- with
| brilliant strategy and fery courage and c1
faltering faith; Sheridan, the knight who knew
| no fear and whose presence made men brave;
| Thomas. pure as crystal in his manhood and
strong as a rock in the surges Of battle, ant
| their grand compatriots in the war. And above
| them all as the soldier hero OF the struggle,
| one man stands alone, beyond envy and rivalry,
| IN the clear blue OF the worlds recognition. ir
| the high lands OF history a solitary. towering
| clir-Ulysses 5. Grant These, under God
were the mighty infuences that wrought ID.
| triumph"