The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-05-08

The greatest throng that ever filled the city
Of New York added its surging pean to the roar
Of belching guns and the tramp Of soldiers.
And, in that throng there was no north and no
south. for since the soldier-president had said:
LET us have peace the gray had blended with
che blue.
Before the presidential party left the city to
take part in the dedication ceremonies the flag
decked streets were black with people who
cheered vociferously as the great men drove by.
All around the oval, in the center of which
stood the gray monument to Grant, were what
seemed to be black hillocks. This somber
background was formed by the 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 the 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
monument oval the stands were packed to over
flowing, while facing these crowds were the
great mass Of eager slghtseers who had not
Seen o~n1cially provided for.
AT THE TOMB.
BY eight o'clock vast crowds had arrived at
the tomb, and those who were fortunate enough
20 possess tickets emitting them to seats on
stands took their places In the gaily-decked
structures and prepared for the long wait that
was to ensue before the arrival of the notables
and military pageant The less fortunate ones
selected standing places from which they could
sec what occurred. The police were early on
hand and established a line around the grand
tatsnd and the monument and along the road
way that was to be traversed by the troops. The
elaborate preparations which had been made
FOR handling the crowd bore good fruit There
rwss comparatively little confusion, and those
who desired to reach their places on the Official
stands had no difficulty in doing so.
A feeling OF reverence for the great warrior
whose renown was to be perpetuated was fire.
cuently manifested by persons in the
surging crowd surrounding his sepul-
cher. Gray-haired men were frequent
~ 70 be seen lifting their hats as they
were borne past the tomb in the stream Of
humanity, and one touching incident occurred
early in the morning. An aged darkey with
SNOW white locks and stopped figure stopped near
the foot Of one of the flights of steps leading to
che monument He carried in his trembling
hand q small bunch Of violets which he tim
IDLY asked q policeman to place at the en-
trance Of the tomb.
HE helped to make me a free man, boss" eX-
planned the old negro.
The policeman heSitated an instant, and then
mounting the steps, laid the paltry token of
gratitude at the foot of one OF the columns of
the tomb.
As the carriages containing the distinguished
party passed between the wall OF people on the
roadway the air resounded with cheers. The
Rresident acknowledged the ovation by smiling
and bowling. The party assembled the stage on
the west side OF the tomb, and the band sta
Sioned near by played patriotic airs.
At Il:04 o'clock President Mckinley entered
the speakers stand, and was followed by others
who were to participate in the ceremonies. The
president, with barred head, was the first to en-
Ger the stand. He leaned on the arm Of Mayor
Strong. who kept his hat on. Tn president
was loudly cheered. as was also ex-President
Cleveland, h appeared with ex-Secretsry
Tracy.