The times., 1897-04-28
THE PRESIDENTS rRIBUTE.
A Great Cheer Greeted Mr.. Mcktn-
ley as He Rose To Speak.

ley as He Rose To Speak.
A great cheer went up. The President
! removed his hat as he stood UP to speak
| and a score of voices yelled, Put on your
hatl put on your hat!' The President
shook his head and used his silk hat to
punctuate the points of his speech. He
spoke without notes. His voice was clear
and resonant. All through his speech he
was interrupted by applause, aud when
he had finished Mayor Strong, ex-Maydr
Edison, Vice President Hart, aud Mr.. Cleve-
land shook his hand in congratulation.
The President said
Fellow-Citizens: A great life, dedicated
to the welfare OF the nation, here finds its
earthly coronation. Even if this day lack
ed the impressiveness OF ceremony and was
devoid of pageantry, it would stilI be mem
orable, because tits 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 man kind, but never was a MEM
orial more worthily bestowed o mo re CRATE
fully accepted by free people than the
beautiful structure before which we are
gathered.
In marking the successful completion OF
lllS NOI k w Z nave ts hlttitcStS anu par
Elephants representatives of all branches
of our Government, the resident officials OF
foreign nations, the governors of States
andthe sovereign people from every section
of our common country, who joinin this au-
gust tribute to the soldier, patriot and
citizen.
Almost twelve years have passed since
the heroic vigil ended and the brave
IL
its flight, Lincoln and Stanton had pre-
ceded 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 a 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 departed gen.
erations yet unborn viii draw their In
spiration and gather strength for patri-
otc purpose.
A great life never dies, Great deeds
are imperishable; great names Immortal
continue undiHinished in influence and
advance in the estimation of mankind so
long as liberty remains the cornerstone OF
free government and integrity OF life the
guaranty of good citizenship.
Faithful and fearless as a volunteer sol
der intrepid and invincible as commander
in chief OF the aImiesof the Union, calm and
confident as President of reunited and
rr-hif IA ,ft.o
had been instrumental in achieving, he
has our homage and that of the world; but
brilliant as was his public charac cter, we
love him all the more for bis home life aad
homely virtues misunderstanding his bear
ing and speech, his simple ways had a fla
vor OF rare and unique distinction, and his
Americanism was SO true and unconpromis-
ing 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 yet one of the people-patient pa
trfotic and Just Success did not disturb |
the even balance of his mind, while fame
was poweTless to swerve him from the |
path of duty Great as he was in war.
honorable arbitration of differences was |
the best hope Of civilization.
With Washington and Lincoln. Grant has |
an exalted place in history and the affec- |
tions of the people Today 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 fraterBal 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.
1t is right, then, that Gen. Grant should
have memorial commensurate with his |
greatness, and that his last resting place |
should be the city of his choice. to which |
he was so attached in life, andof whose ties |
he was not forgetful, even in death. Fitting, |
too, is it that the great soldier should sleep |