The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-04-28

The visitors got a chance to see a
million people. The unbroken wall of
six miles long was an inspir-
ing sight.
The arrival of the official portion of |
the procession at the tomb was the
signal for a most stupendous outburst
of patriotic cheering from the $4,000 |
people on the grandstands and on the
lawns around the monument and on |
Clermont Heights.
The president and the other guests |
from their carriages at the
stands, and took places as
signed to them, III readiness for the
oratorical and musical ceremonies at 10
of the noisy enthusiasm that marked
the arrival of President Mckinley.
At II :O4 o'clock President Mckinley
entered the speakers stand and was
followed by the others who were to
participate in the ceremonies The
president, with barred head, was the
first to enter the stand He was loudly
cheered as was also ex- President Cleve-
land.
The exercises commenced with the
singing of "America."
A solemn silence then fell on the
dense crowd as the venerable Bishop
John p Newman invoked the blessing
of Heaven on the ceremonies. Many
Of the people joined i'll the Our
Father" which concluded the bishops
prayer.
\, ha LOFT hoI oh
seat the hymn of thanks, Old Neither
land Folksong, was sung by the choir
listers
Another mighty cheer arose as Pres
ident Mckinley, after the singing of
the hymn. moved to the railing of the
speakers stand to deliver his address.
He was introduced by Mayor Strong.
The president said:
Fellow Citizens: A great life, dedi-
Gated to the welfare Of the nation, here
finds it's earthly coronation. Even If this
day lacked the impressiveness of cere-
mony 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 Ameri-
can soldiers.
Architecture has paid high tribute to
the leaders of mankind, but never was a
memorial more worthily bestowed or
more gratefully 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
participants representatives of all
branches of our goIkrnment the resident
officials of foreign nS.iocS, the governors
of states, and the sovereign people from
every section of our common country who
joined in this august tribute to the patriot
and citizen.
First Of the Great Captains to Go.
Almost twelve years have passed since
the heroic vigil ended and the brave spirit
of Ulysses ;. Grant fearlessly took it's
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 and Porter
and host of others have passed forever
from human sight. Those remaining
grow dearer to us, and from them and the
memory of those who have .eparted, gen
erations yet unborn will y W their in
spiration and gather strength for patriotic
purposes.
Great Lives Never Die.
A great life never dies Great deeds are
imperishable; great names immortal
| General Grants services and character
will continue Nndiminished in influence
/ and advance in the estimation of man
kind so long as liberty remains the corner
stone of free government and integrity OF
life the guaranty of good citizenship.
Faithful and fearless as a volunteer sol
dier, intrepid and invincible as com
mander-in-chi of the armies of the
Union, calm and confident as president OF
. reunited and strengthened natior
which his genius has been instrumental
In achieving, he has our homage and thai
of the world but brilliant as was his pu b
lie character, we love him all the more fol
his home life and homely virtues. Hi.
indivuality, his bearing and speech, hi!
simple ways, had a flavor of rare ant
unique distinction and his Americanisn
was so true and uncompromising un that hi
name will stand for all time as the EN-
bodiment 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, h
was yet one of the people-patient, pa
triotic and just. Success did not disturb
the even balance of his mind while FAM
was powerless to swerve him from hi
path of duty. Great as he was in war, h
loved peace, and told the world that hon
orable arbitration of differences was tn
best hope of civilization.
With Washington and Lincoln, Gran
has an exalted place in history and tn
affections of the people. Today his mem
ory is held in equal esteem by those whom
he led to victory and by those who ac
cepted> his generous terms of peace Th
veteran leaders of the blue and gray her
meet not only to honor the name of tn
!, departed Grant, but to testify to the livin
reality of a fraternal national spirit whic
has triumphed over the differences of tn
, past and transcended the limitations {
sectional lines Its completion, which "
) pray God to speed, will be
The Nations Greatest Glory.
. 1t Is right, then, that General Grar