The times., 1897-04-28

this day I not unmixed with sadness. for
the occasion brings vividly to mind the
fatal day on which his generous heart
ceased to beat, and recalls the grief which
fell upon the American people, with a sense
of pain which was akin to the sorrow Of
personal bereavement, and yet it i S not
an occasion for tears; not time to chant
requiems or display the sable draperies of
public mourning He who lies within the
portals of yonder tomb is not dead
memory; he s a living reality. He has
been consigned to the chamber of death,
but not to the realms Of forgetfulness. Our
grief is Gained by the recollection OF the
blessings his life conferred and the fame
he has left to the custody of his fellow
citizens We consecrate this day to q
tribute to the memory OF departed worth.
The story OF his life is the history OF the
most eventful epoch in his countrys annals.
Upon an occasion such as this il would
seem more fitting to stand silent by the
tomb and let history alone speak, but it
has been deemed proper that living wit
nesses to his virtues should pay the CRATE
full tribute of their testimony. The allot-
fnent Of time permits only brief allusion
to the achievements of his marvellous
career.
Ulysses s. Grant sprang from the loins
OF the American people and derived his
patent Of nobility direct from God. He
possessed an abiding confidence in the
honesty and intelligence Of his fellow
countryInen, and always retained his deep
hold upon their affections. Even when
clothed with the robes of the master, he
forgot not that he was still the servant of
the people In every great crisis he was
content to leave the efforts TO his country
E,en and the results TO God.
As a commander of men in the field he
manifested the highest Characteristics OF
the solsiier, as evinced III every battle in
which he was engaged from falo Alto to
Apponiattox He was bold in conception,
fixed in purpose, and vigorous in execu-
ton. He never allowed himself to be
thrown on the defensive, but always aimed
TO take the Initiative in battle. He made
armies and not cities. the objective points
of his campaigns Obstacles which would
have deferred another seemed only to in
spire him with greater confidence, and his
soldiers soon learned to reflect much of his
determination. His 0lotto was, when in
doubt move to the front. His sworGalways
pointed the way to an advance; its hilt
was never presented to an enemy. He
once wrote in letter TO his father, Inever
expect TO have an army whipped, unlessit
lis badly whipped, and can help it," He
enjoyed a physical constitution which en-
aDied him TO endure every form of fatigue
and priyation incident to military service
Inthe field His unassunlingnanner purity
OF character, and absolute loyalty inspired
ioyaltyin others, confidence in his methods,
and gained him the devotion OF the hlnIl1-
lest of his subordinates.
He exhibited a rapidity of thought and
action on the field which enabled him 60
move with hapromptncss rarely equale.l,
and which never failed TO astonish, and
often to haffle tie best efforts of less
vigorous opponent. A study Of his martial
deeds inspires us with the grandeur of
events and the majesty of achievement.
He did not fight for glory, but for ma
tional existence and the equality and rights
of men. His sole ambition was his coun-
try,s prosperity. His victories failed TO
eIate him. In the dispatches which re-
pofted his triumps there was no word of
arrogance. 10 exaggeration, no aim at
dramatic effect. With all his self-reliance
he was never betrayed into imnodesty Of
EXPRESSION. He never Gnderrated himself
In O battle, he never oycrrated himself In
a reEort. He could not only command
armies. he could command himself In- |
exorable as he was in battle, war never |
hardened his heart or weakened the |
strength OF his natural affections. He re- |
tanned a singularly sensitive nature, q |
rare tenderness offeeling: sfrank from the |
sight of blood. and was painfully alive to |
every form of human suffering.
While his career as soldier eclipsed /
ny it's briIIianey his achievements as |
statesman, yet when we sum up the
events of the eight years during which he
has President of the republic, their mag