Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-04-27
Grateful Republic Crowns the Memory OF Grant, the
<SoIdier, Statesman and Patriot, With Its
Last Earthly fi0n0rs
THE ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT MCKINLEY

conclusion.
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
/ ssFKLLow CITIZENS: A great life. dedl
Gated TO the welfare OF the nation. her
f-ds It's earthly coronation. Even IL thi
day lacked the improsBiveness OF the cere
mony, and was devoid OF pageantry, Il
would still be memorable, because 1t 10 tn
Anniversary Of the birth Of one OF the mos
famous and best beloved Of American sol
diers. Architecture has PAID high tribute
to the leaders OF mankind, but nevsr was
memorial more worthily bestowed or more
gratefully accepted, by free people. thar
the beautiful structure before which VI
are gathered. In marking the succossfu
compilation Of this work, we have, a. wit
nssses. and participants, representatives o
all branches OF our government; the resi-
dents Of this and OF foreign nations, gov
ernors OF states, and the sovereign people
from every section of our common country
who will join in this august tribute TO I
soldier, patriot and citizen
Almost twelve years have passed ainct
| the heroic vigil ended, and the brave spiri
of Ulysses b. Grant fearlessly took IL
| light. Lincoln and Stanton had precedyt
him, but of the mighty captains Of thu
| war, Grant was the hrst to be called
they have since Joined him on the othcl
side. The great heroes Of she civil strife
on land ana sea, are for the most part now
no more. Thomas, Hancock. Logan, Nc
Pherson, Farragut Dupont, Porter, and .
host OF others, have passed forever, from
human sight. These remaining grow dearer
to- us, and from them and the memory OF
unborn will draw their inspiration and
gather strength for patriotic purposes.
A great life never dies, great deeds are
imperishable, great names are immortal.
General Grant's services and character
will continue undiminished In influence and
advance In the estimation of mankind 20
long as liberty remains as corner stone
of free government, and integrity OF life, .
guaranty Of good citixenship.
Victorious Ia the work which under
divine providence he was llled upon to
do, clothed with almost limitless power, he
was yet one Of the people; patient, patriot
ic and Just. Success did not disturb, while
fame was powerless to swerve him from
the path of duty. As great as was In war,
he loved peace, and he told the world that
the honorable arbitration of differences
Washington and Lincoln, Grant
has an exalted place In the history
and affections OF the people Of to-day his
emory is held In equal esteem By those
whom he led to victory, and by those who
accepted bis generous terms OF peace. The
veterans of both blue and gray here meet,
not only to honor the name of the depart
cd Grant, but to testify to living reality
OF q fraternal national spirit, which
triumphed over the differences of the
past, and transcends the limitations of
sectional lines. 1t is the completion Of
which we pray God to speed, and will be
the nations greatest glory.
Ii Is right, then, that General Grant
should have memorial, commensurate
with his greatness, and that his last rost-
ing place should be ths city of his choice,
whose ties he was not forgetful, even 10
death. New York holds In Its keeping the
precious dust Of the silent soldier, but his
achievements, what he and his brave COM
rades wrought for mankind, are In the
keeping Of 70, 900 900 Of American citizens,
who will guard the sacred heritage for
ever and forever.
Meanwhile the great land parade
had been forming down town, the head
of the column being stationed at Madi-
son avenue and Twenty fourth street.
Upon the conclusion Of the exercises at
the tomb, or at nearly ! O'Clock, tha
column moved to Fifty-fifth street,
thence to Fifth avenue and Fifty-ninth,
thence to the Boulevard, to Riverside
drive to the memorial. II was
estimated that nearly $4,000 men
were in line. There were three grand
those respectively OF military,
and ciyics. There were fully
IL, 900 union and confederate veterans
10 the old soldiers division, while the
civic grand division, which included
patriotic societies, municipal brigades,
etc., was about 10000 strong. On ar
riving at Riverside park, the parade
the tomb, being reviewed
oy President Mo oKinley and distinguish
ID guests upon the platform with him.
While the land parade was In pro-
yress, the vessels composing the naval
parade were making their way up the
North river. The parade was in four
yrand divisions. The ships formed
heir columns between Twenty-third |
md 1876. h streets and proceeded up
he river to point opposite the monu- |
nent, when they took up positions |
locording to assignment. When the
asst division Of the land parade had
,assed the Memorial, President Nc
xinley and the other guests were es.
,orted to the "Dolphin'' and reviewed
he fleet. All vessels carried flags at
NIL mast, giving the color salute to the
,resident as the aDolphin" passed up
md down the line. Salutes BY gun or
whistle had been prohibited BY Rear
ADMIRAL Osborne, who had charge OF
be parade. The spectacle was gor-
Zeons one. At the conclusion OF the
eview, the presidential party was
Iriven back to It's hotel.
The event OF to-day will be brought !
0 q fitting close by the banquet which |
! to be given this evening By the
Union League, which. it is claimed,
vii surpasa anything Of similar ma
ure ever before attempted IN New
fork. President Mckinley and Vice.
resident Hobart will be the guests OF
,onor. but the Invitation Inst contains
he rames Of thousand prominent
nsn. including members Of the cabinet
nd Of the diplomatic corps generals
( tho army epd admiraIs Of the navy,
ctive and retired officers Of ell the \
1reien ships that we're IN to.day's par
de-; all living ex-presidents and vice.
residents aad the visiting governors
!. !. .saai. military ziaffs. ttssissstations
ad also been extended to President
,iaz, Of Mexico, and Lord Aberdeers