The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-05-12
M'KINLEY ON GRANT.
The Presidents Address at the Dedication
of the Monument in New York.

President Mckinley spoke as follows at
the dedication Of General Grants monu-
ment in New York:
Fellow Citizens-A great life, dedicated
to the welfare of the Nation, here finds its
earthly coronation. Even il this day lacked
the impressiveness Of ceremony and was
devoid Of pageantry. it would still be
memorable, because it Is the anniversary Of
the birth OF one Of the most famous and
best beloved Of American soldiers.
Architecture has paid high tribute to the
leaders OF mankind, but never was memo
rial more worthily bestowed or more CRATE
fully accepted by a free people than the
beautiful structure before which we are
gathered.
In marking the successful completion of
this work, we have as witnesses and partic-
ipants representatives Of oil branches OF our
Government, the resident officials OF for
eign nations, the Governors OF States, and
the sovereign people from every section OF
our common country, who join In this
august tribute to the soldier, patriot and
citizen.
Almost twelve years have passed since
the heroic vigil ended and the brave spirit
Of Ulysses s. Grant fearlessly took its flight.
Lincoln and Stanton had preceded him, but
of the mighty captains OF the war Grant
was the first to be called. Sherman and
Sheridan survived him, but have since
Joined him on the other shore.
The great heroes Of the civil strife on
land and sea are for the most part now no
more. Thomas and Hancock, Logan and
Mcpherson, Farragut,, Dupont ana Porter,
and a host of others have passed forever
from human sight. Those remaining grow
dearer to us, and from them and the mem
ory Of those who have departed generations
vet unborn will draw their inspiration and
gather strength for patriotic purpose.
A great life never dies. Great deeds are
imperishable; great names immortal. Cen
eral Grant's'services and character will con-
tinue undiminished in influence and ad-
vance in the estimation OF mankind so long
az liberty remains the cornerstone OF Tree
government and the integrity OF life the
guarantee of good citizenship.
dier. intrepid and invincible as Commander
in-Chief Of the armies Of the Union, calm
and confident as President OF reunited
and STRENGTHENED Nation which his genius
had been intrumental In achieving, he has
our homage and that Of the world; but
brilliant as was his public character, We love
him all the more for his home life and home
ly virtues. His individuality, his bearing
and speech, his simple ways, had flavor
Americanism was so true and uncompro-
missing that his name will stand for all time
as the embodiment Of liberty, loyalty, and
National unity.
Victorious in the work which under Di-
vine Providence he was called upon to DO,
clothed with almost limitless power, he was
vet one Of the people-patient, patriotic
and lust. Success did not disturb the even
balance OF his mind, while fame was power
less to swerve him from the path OF duty.
Great as he was in war; he loved peace, and
told the world that honorable arbitration of
differences was the best hope OF civilization.
With Washington and Lincoln, Grant has
an exalted place in history and the anec-
tions Of the people. To-day his memory Is
held in equal esteem by those whom he led
to victory and by those who accepted his
generous terms Of peace.
The veteran leaders OF the Blue and Gray
here meet not only to honor the name OF
the departed Grant, but to testify to the
living reality of a fraternal National spirit
which has triumphed over the differences
OF the past and transcends the limitations
of sectional lines. Its completion, which
we pray God to speed, will be the Nations
greatest glory.
It is right, then, that General Grant
should have q memorial commensurate
with his greatness, and that his last resting
place should be the city OF MS cnolce, 10
which he was 80 attached in life, and OF
those ties he was not forgetful even IN
death. Fitting, too, is it that the great SOL
dier should sleep beside the noble river on
whose banks he first learned theart OF war,
and OF which he became master and leader
without a rival. -.
But let US not forget the glorious dis
tinction with which the metropolis, among
the fair sisterhood OF American cities, mas
honored his life and memory. With all
that riches and sculpture can do to render
the edifce worthy Of the man, upon site
unsurpassed for magnihcenee has this
monument been reared by New YORK as a
perpetual record of his illustrious deeds:
In the certainty that, as time passes, around
it will assemble with gratitude ana reVer-
ence and veneration men OF all cltmes,
races and nationalities.
New York holds in its keeping the pre-
cious dust OF the silent soldier. but MS
achievements-what he and his brave com
rades wrought for mankind are in the
keeping OF 10000, 900 American citizens,
who will guard the sacred heritage forever
and forevermore.