Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-21
CHARACTERISTICS OF GRANT
Bishop Newman Delivers His Lecture on
the Soldier Statesman.
KNEW HIM AS PASTOR AND FRIEND
PrcdominntinE characteristics Were
Patriotism and Sincerity - Pro-
found student ana u Cnre-
ful Observer.

One Of the most charming and instructive
lectures ever heard in this city was that
on General Grant" by Bishop John p. New
man OF the Methodist Episcopal church at
Creighton theater last evening. 1t was the
first time the lecture had ever been delivered
in the transmlssissippi section Of the coun-
try, and in the audience was noticed con-
siderable number of veterans OF the civil
war.
Judge Jacob Fawcett presided over the
meeting, and among the more prominent
citizens on the stage were: General Man
derson, General Gown, Henry w. Yates, D..
A. Foote, Judge Strawn, Ex-Governor Boyd,
Major Wilcox. Amos Field. NJ. NJ. Hamlin,
John Dale, A. Il. Benson, George II. Payne,
Allan +. Rector, Rev. Dr. ]. w. shank.
Samuel Burns, Rev. DIR. Saunderson Rev.
DR.. Maxfel. John G. Cortelyou, Erastus
Young and w. V. Morse.
Bishop Newman made his interesting lee
ture all the more delightful by abandoning
the least suggestion of manuscript or notes
and even dispensing with the ordinary lee
ture table. The address rather took on the
form OF a conversation about an intimate
friend. Grant as a warrior was discussed
but little. Allusions were made to his bril-
liant military achievements, but they were
brief Instead OF rehearsrg the exploits
of the great military leader upon the south
ern battlehelds the lecturer drew aside the
veil of Grants private life and showed the
beautiful characteristics of him as a man
His great intellectually, the beauty of his
family life, his patriotism and his philan-
thropy were the PRINCIPAL heads OF the lee
ture, and under each OF them was given an
abundance of material that no one, perhaps
Dig,n, 4, han 10
so well. To the advantage of speaking from
an intimate friendship with the subject Of
his lecture, Bishop Newman added the charm
of a most pleasing delivery. and throughout
his address he was given the closest atten-
tion of his auditors.
In introducing Bishop Newman Judge
Fawcett said that he knew there was gen
eral regret that Omaha was soon to lose the
distinguished clergyman. Before removing
from the city Bishop Newman had agreed
to deliver this lecture, which had been re-
quested many times. In his opinion 1t re
quired great men to discuss great subjects,
and 1t was therefore appropriate that he
should, in opening the meeting, mention the
names of Newman and Grant. Judge Faw-
cett said that he had always regarded the
fact that he enjoyed a personal acquaint-
ance with Grant as one of the most precious
features OF his life. He had come from the
same town, Galena, and 1t would now be
pleasure for him to hear mere about the
great general from his pastor and friend,
Bishop Newman.
ABOVE ALL A PATRIOT.
In his opening remarks Bishop Newman
said that General Grant had been
universally accorded a niche in the
temple of renown. and neither was
that temple to be destroyed nor the
fame of Grant diminished. Cordial recep-
tions accorded public men do not always tes-
tify to the greatness OF these to whom they
are rendered." said the lecturer and he sup
ported his statement by alludng to the
grandest pageants Rome and France had
ever seen. In most beautiful word picture
he painted the national sorrow at the great
generals death, and said 1t was because the
man whose death was mourned was above
everything else patriot, and his patriotism
had stood out in front of his other char
acteristcs.
Great men appear in the worlds history
in groups Ii was so throughout ancient and
medieval times. Around Grant were clus-
tered Sherman, Sheridan, Thomas and other
warriors whose names shall be cherished
to the end of mankind. This grouping OF
famous men is seen even in the affairs of
the nation today With Reed in the house.
sherman In the senate. Harrison in Indiana,
Mckinley In the presidential chair and God
over all, the nation still lives.
Grant was a logiclan of war. He was a
scholar, and in the studies that require the
greatest mental effort to master did he do
his best work" Bishop Newman once looked
up Grants record at West Point. He found
that he had eXcelled in his studies, in most
of them being classed as a first section
man. but in his conduct he had been marked
low because his boots were not always
shined and his buttons seldom polished.
Grants aim in life was to be college pro-
fessor, and the lecturer once examined let
ters of Grant in which he had asked for the
position Of adjunct professor at West Point.
In his trip around the world Grant was still
a student He carefully investigated the
commercial and social conditions
of the many places he visited, and his
journal of that memorable tour was mas
terpiece. His memoirs too, every word of
which he wrote himself are the work of an
intellectual giant. He fought his battles
evidenced in his experiences of war as well
as in those of peace.
ALWAYS SINCERE.
Were / painter l would paint you a
picture of Grant as the guest of great ma
tions, honored throughout his foreign tour
by court receptions and handsome presents.
Then l would paint you picture of Grant,
penniless. / was at his home the
evening of the day when the sad blow that
robbed him OF his earthly treasure came.
He was then quiet, In repose. But 1t was a
repose that only told of his sorrow. | was
there at the time the Vanderbilt's made a
financial demand and in rather harsh terms.
too. He looked at all the precious gifts that
had been bestowed upon him at home and
abroad, but gave them a mere glance in
passing 1t was before an old family pic
ture that he stood longest. Then he cried |
out: Give me poverty and honor rather
than wealth and disgrace II were asked
to sum up Grants character in a single |
phrase l should say: Sincerity, changeless |
sincerity" "
The lecturer paid a beautiful tribute to |
Mrs. Grant, and he declared that when she |
should overcome her natural modesty she |
would give to the world book that would |
be most cordially received. In II would be |