The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-04-28

New York, April 21.-Never but once
in the history of the world and never
before in the history of the United
States has such tribute been paid TO
the noble dead as when. to-day. i'm a
wondrous pageant by land and sea,
the nation dedicated the tomb that now
holds the body of Ulysses $. Grant
II was an occasion more OF triumph
ant eulogy and national pride than of
funeral rite, for. in these II years
since first the nation mourned for
Grant. the keenness of grief has worn
on and there lives in the hearts OF men
the hero-worship which has found such
lumultuous vent to-day. The greatest
OF our citizens, our soldiers and our
sailors to-day stood side by side with
men of fame Of almost every nation of
the earth and paid, without regard to
race or creed or party prejudice. the
last ng-delayed honor of the living to
the dead. while the greatest throng that
ever filled the city OF New York added
its surging paens TO the roar OF belch-
ing guns and the tramp of marching
soldiers. And in that throne there was
no North and no South. for since the
soldier president said: Let US
have peace" the gray had blended with
the blue.
Before the presidential party left the
city to take part In the dedication cere-
monies the flag R-decked streets were
black with people who cheered vocifer-
ously as the great men drove by. When
the tomb was reached, a strange sight
met the eye. All around the oval. in
the center of which stood the gray
monument to Grant. were what seemed
To be black hillocks. This somber back
ground was formed by thousands OF
spectators who filled the stands. built
up from the ground on both sides of
the tomb to the level of the steps that
lead to its massive doors. To the south
where the loop around the oval met the
Riverside drive. there were two solid
lines of humanity. On all four sides
Of the oval the stands were packed to
overilowing. while facing these crowds
was the great mass OF eager sight-seers
who had not been officially provided
for. The solemn service of dedication
seemed to throw a strange hush over
this vast throng.
The president stood bareheaded in the
wind. When he spoke he was heard
distinctly by the 5000 persons who stood
In the circle In front of him. General
Porter's Grafton in honor of the hero
seemed to impress the crowd less than
the sight Of the pale-faced bareheaded
president standing beside the widow of
the dead general, ex-President Cleye-
land. and the gray-haired statesmen
and soldiers. II was their presence
rather than their words that lent
solemnity to the occasion. And when IL
was all over and Mayor Strong had
formally accepted from the nation the
. ha nd b.an ha
dent and his party disappeared in the
luncheon tent. a sigh Of relief went up
from the crowd. for at last the hero
lay in tomb befitting such renown and
fittingly dedicated by a grateful nation.
The land parade was waited for after
the conclusion of the ceremonies. The
sky became overcast with clouds and
the wind increased until II almost
howled around the trees. The waters OF
the Hudson reflected the ashen hue OF
the sky, and the great white ships that
iioated on its bosom stood In almost
ominous relief. The dusty roadbed OF
the drive was whipped up until black
coats became brown. and spectators
forsook their unsheltered seats for the
protection of the tomb pillars. Then,
suddenly in the cloud of dust from the
south, from between two black lines Of
people who met in the perspective, came
the nodding pumes Of the soldiers. on
they marched. an endless line of white
and red and blue and gray. First pass
ing on the west side of the monument
oval and returning on the north road
under the monumental arch. they
Iassed there in review. and then back
again into the black background of hu-
manity and the white clouds OF dust
Surrounded by his cabinet, his gem
erals and his friends. President Mckin-
ley stood and reviewed the grandest
military pageant ever seen in this city.
| There were regular soldiers. regular
sailors, national guardsmen Of the sea
and land forces. Grand Army veterans.
! confederate veterans and the striplings,