San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-04-27

sight. The arrival of the official por-
| ton of the procession at the tomb was
the signal for a most stupendous out
burst of cheering from the $4,000 peo-
pie in the grand stands and on the
lawns around the monument and on
Clairmont Heights. The president and
other guests alighted from their car
riages at the monument stands and
took the places assigned to them in
readiness for the oratorical and must
cal ceremony, and stiffness reigned in
place of the noisy enthusiasm that
marked the arrival of President Nc
Kinley.
At IL o'clock after the passing of
the grand military-marine pageant,
President Mckinley delivered the open
ing speech of the day as follows:
Fellow citizens: A great life dedi-
Gated to the welfare of a nation here
finds it's earthly coronation. Even If
this day lacked the impressiveness of
ceremony and was devoid of pageant
ry it would still be memorable, because
it is the anniversary of the birth of
one of the most famous and best be-
loved of American soldiers. In mark
ing the successful completion of this
participants, representatives of all
branches of our government, resident
officials of foreign nations, governors
of states and the sovereign people
from every section of our common
country, who join in this august tri-
butte to the soldier, patriot and citi-
zen.
Almost twelve years have passed
since the heroic vigil ended and the
brave spirit of Ulysses S. Grant fear
lessly took it's flight. Lincoln and
Stanton had preceded him, but of the
mighty captains of the war Grant WGs
the first to be called. Sherman and
Sheridan survived him, but have since
Joined him on the other shore.
The great her9es of the civil strife on
land and sea are for the most part
now no more. Thomas and Hancock,
Logan and Mcpherson, Farragut, Du-
pOnt and Porter, and a host of others
have passed forever from human
sight
Those remaining grow iearer to us
and from the memory of those who
have departed generations yet unborn
will draw their inspiration and gather
strength for patriotic purposes.
great life never dies. Great deeds are
imperishable. Great names are inn
mortal. General Grants services and
character will continue undiminished
in influence and advance in the esti-
nation of mankind so long as liberty
remains the corner stone to free gov
eminent and integrity of life, the guar
anty of good citizenship.
Faithful and fearless as a volunteer
soldier, intrepid and invincible as
commander-in chief of the armies of
the Union, calm and confident as presi-
dent of the reunited and strengthened
nation, which his genius had been in-
strumental in achieving, he has our
homage and that of the world. But
brilliant as was his public character,
we love him all the more for his nome
life and hOmely virtues, his 1ndlVldual-
ity. His bearing and speech, his sim
nile WAYS. had the flavor of rare ana
uniuue distinction and his American
ism was so true, and uncompromlslng
that his name will stand for all the
time as the embodiment of liberty, 10y
atty and national unity.
Victorious in the work which under
the Divine providence he was called
upon to do, clothed with almost limit.
less mower. he was yet one of the peo-
nile. patient. patriotic and justly sue
cessful. it didn't disturb the even bal
ance of his mind, while fame was pow
arIess to swerye him from the pain OIL
duty But as he was in war, he loVeu
neace, and told the world that the nom
orabIe arbitration of differences
was the best hope of civilization. WIN
woabington and Lincoln Grant has an
exalted place in history and in the ar
fections of the people. IouaS I.is
roon,orv is held in equal esteem Dy
those whom he led to victory and py
those who accepted his generous terms
of naace The veteran leaders of the
Rrue and the Gray have met not only
to honor the name of the depfarleu
Grant, but to testify to the loving ira
ternal national spirit which mas trl-
umphed over every difference Oh the
past and transcends the Limitation ol
sectional lines.
Its completion, which we pray Gou W
speed, will be the nations greatest
glory. 1t is right that General Hrah'
should have a memorial commensurate
with his greatness and that MS IHst
resting place should be the city Oh ms
| choice, to which NE was so attd|Heu
in life, and of whose ties he was not
forgetful even in death. New York
holds in it's keeping the precious dust
of the silent soldier, but his achieve
ments that he and his brave comrades
wrought for mankind are in the keep
ing of seventy millions of American
citizens who will guard the sacred her
itage forever and forever more.